How to Make a Whirlpool in a Pool
Create a powerful rotating water vortex in a circular or small pool by coordinating continuous circular running along the perimeter.
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🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Circular or above-ground pool
- ✓ Water shoes (optional)
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Clean pool water filled to standard depth
- ✓ Floating pool toy or ball (for vortex tracking)
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Ensure all participants are confident swimmers capable of treading water.
- • Verify the pool floor is clear of sharp objects, toys, or slick algae patches.
- • Never attempt in deep open water or near pool drain covers.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (5 Steps)
Position Along the Outer Wall
Have all participants line up along the outer perimeter wall of the pool facing the same direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). Space out evenly around the edge to maximize displacement. Keep hands near the wall or hips deep in water.
- • Swimmers distributed evenly around the outer edge facing the same rotational direction.
- • Clumping together in one section of the pool.
- • Facing opposite directions.
Begin Coordinated Walking
Start marching forward along the perimeter in unison at a steady, moderate pace. Push water forward with your thighs and torso to initiate mass water movement. Maintain a consistent distance from the person ahead of you.
- • All participants walking in rhythm along the pool perimeter.
- • Surface water showing initial gentle directional ripple.
- • Sprinting too early and exhausting energy before momentum builds.
- • Drifting toward the center of the pool.
Accelerate to a Jog and Run
Increase speed progressively from a walk to a jog, and finally to an all-out run along the perimeter. Pump arms beneath the water surface in sync with your legs to push more water volume. Continue this continuous circular run for 3 to 5 full minutes.
- • White water churn forming at the outer perimeter.
- • Water surface banking higher along the edge and dipping in the center.
- • Stopping prematurely before total water inertia is achieved.
Introduce the Vortex Tracker
Toss a lightweight floating ball or toy into the middle third of the pool while running. Observe its path as it gets pulled from the outer perimeter toward the forming central depression. The object confirms the circular current is self-sustaining.
- • Floating ball orbiting smoothly around the pool center without manual pushing.
- • Throwing the ball directly into the outer running path where it gets kicked.
Float and Ride the Current
On a count of three, all runners lift their feet off the bottom, tuck into a seated float, and allow the powerful inertia of the water to carry them around effortlessly. Keep hands out to balance and avoid collisions with other floaters.
- • All participants floating passively, rotating rapidly around the pool center with feet off the bottom.
- • Dragging feet on the pool floor, which immediately slows down the vortex.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Christian Wedoy — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Floating pool toy or ball? Lightweight plastic cup or foam noodle section
- No Water shoes? Bare feet on clean, non-slip textured pool liners