Garden lady rebounds from orthopedic surgery in her Endless Pool

"...when the Endless Pool came along, it was perfect."

Many Endless Pool owners know "Garden Lady" Barbara Stevens as the enthusiastic horticulturist-swimmer who appears on one of the first videos we produced. Barbara's pool—installed over ten years ago by her husband and sons, "with phone consultation from Endless Pools founder James Murdock and reliance on a superb installation video"—has everything in common with those of many customers today. It is, first and foremost, an economical, efficient solution to a basic design problem: lack of space.

"Actually, I had considered an in-ground pool and gone so far as to consult a contractor," Barbara recalls. "But apart from the expense, our property, like most in San Francisco, was out of proportion to the dimensions of a full-size pool. So, when the Endless Pool came along, it was perfect."

Her customized exercise regimen, like that of many long-time Endless Pool devotees, now goes beyond swimming. One routine, devised in conjunction with a local physiotherapist, consists of a series of exercises using water resistance to restore strength and range of motion following several joint surgeries.

Barbara's enthusiasm for the pool has made for something of a second career as an Endless Pool demonstrator. (The pool's stunning outdoor site overlooking San Francisco doesn't hurt its appeal either.) Working with prospective customers, she's learned a thing or two about where they're coming from.

"Somehow the perception nowadays is that the Endless Pool is, or ought to be, a high-end deal," she says, "and that you've got to invest a lot of money to get it done nicely. But in fact, I tell people that when I bought it, convenience and economy were really the basis for our decision. And in many respects, nothing's changed."

Not surprisingly, Barbara's network of friends and acquaintances includes a number of Endless Pool owners. So what's the most frequent comment from new users?

"They say, 'Gee, I wish I had known it was so easy. I would've gotten one sooner.' "

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