How to Choose Your Paragon Swim Starting Platform

The goal of any sports equipment is to provide the athlete with the least resistance to their own ability and, in doing so, enhance their refined skill set. For swimmers, the quickness, accuracy, and safety of their initial dive into the water are crucial to success. Paragon Starting Platforms provide the best launch to any swimmer’s competition. Its unique top, made from a solid sheet of high-density UV inhibited polypropylene, features a cross-grooved, non-skid sand finish, which enhances water drainage and gives the swimmer a firm start. The high density polypropylene material is incredibly durable and will not crack, warp, or corrode.

Paragon Swim Starting Platforms With
Paragon starting platform tops can be fabricated with custom colors – Pantone matched.

Paragon also offers two backplate kits: the Track-Start Plus+™ for track-start (24″ x 32″) style platforms and the Track Start Plus™ STS Adjustable which can be easily retrofitted to any existing standard (24″ x 20″) platform. All Paragon back plate frames are made from powder-coated (black) stainless steel. Add your facility’s logo and custom color to match!

Paragon manufactures several swim starting platform models to meet any pool facility’s needs, and to comply with all the different ruling body standards. There are five main ruling bodies that govern standards for starting platform design specifications and swimming pool deck placement: International Swimming Federation (FINA), National College Athletic Association (NCAA), USA Swimming (USAS), US Master Swimming (USMS), and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

When determining the compliance of your platform to the standards of the appropriate ruling body, there are three main measurements you will need to take:

Paragon Starting Platform Ruling Body Measuring Diagram
Paragon Starting Platform Ruling Body Measuring Diagram
  1. The first and most important measurement is the depth of water where swimmers will be entering the pool from the starting platform. It is always recommend that this point be at the deep end of the pool and that there be a minimum of 4′-6″ of water depth.
  2. The “B” dimension or anchor set-back dimension which is the horizontal measurement from the vertical pool wall to the centerline of the starting platform anchor socket. There must be an adequate amount of concrete in order to securely attach the anchor of the platform to the swimming pool deck. Furthermore, the B-dimension will allow you to determine the best model for your facility, mainly if you will need the Standard or Long Reach model. The Standard is designed to fit most pools with B-dimensions of 18″ to 26″. The Long Reach model is designed for pools with wide, deck-level overflow gutter systems, where the B-dimension is fixed at 34½”.
  3. The A-dimension will determine the height of your platform based on the deck-to-water distance and the desired or maximum height above water set by whichever ruling body has jurisdiction over your facility.

It is also imperative to refer to your local, municipal, and state statues, ordinances and regulations before purchasing any pool deck equipment for your aquatic facility.

What is not a standard, and is more of a preference, is the pedestal type. Double leg swim starting platforms do show slightly more stability and rigidity than single leg platforms, but these differences have a negligible effect on swim times. Double leg platforms can be purchased in all styles: the Full Height Standard Competitor, Long Reach Standard Competitor, Long Reach Competitor, and the Track-Start Competitor platforms.

Whether single leg (Quick-Set swim platform models) or dual leg (Competitor swim platform models), all Paragon pedestals are fabricated as a single weldment of high grade certified T304L stainless steel, polished and buffed to a 320-grit finish. Welds are electro-chemically passivated for maximum corrosion resistance. Pedestals can be powder-coated to any desired color. Each pedestal is custom fabricated to accommodate each facility.

Important to swim starting platform stability and safety is the ability of the anchor to achieve zero-movement. Paragon’s patented Dual-Wedge™ tool-less clamping anchors, in conjunction with their taper-lock base, has no equal on the market. Once the starting platform is inserted into the anchor and is tightened by hand all movement is eliminated. Available in both Quick-Set Dual-Wedge™ for single leg platforms and Competitor Dual-Wedge™, in both a 6-inch or 10-inch depths for dual leg platforms. Paragon’s tool-less clamping anchors are ideal for multipurpose pool spaces because it allows easy removal of the platforms and relocation to areas with different deck-to-water dimensions.

Competitive Swim Starting Platform safety is a top priority for Paragon

Paragon 24 inch x 32 inch Swim Starting Platforms Safety Cover
24″x32″ Safety Cover
Paragon 24 inch x 20 inch Swim Starting Platforms Safety Cover
24″x20″ Safety Cover
An imperative component of an athlete’s experience, safety is a top priority of Paragon products. In addition to slip-resistant tops, carefully measured designs, and locking anchors, each platform comes with two warning labels. Paragon also offers tough, plastic starting platform covers—for Track-Start models and Standard (24″ x 20″) models—to prevent unauthorized use of the platform. All Paragon Staring Platforms and safety accessories are designed to protect pool patrons and athletes, and to provide the best possible competitive experience.

AquaThority Blog Categories