Swimming is perhaps the most popular recreational activity in Northeast Michigan during the summer months and people have many options of where, when and how they choose to do it.

Some people prefer to relax, soak up the sun and take a dip at many of the local beaches, while others choose to swim in the privacy of their own home in a pool.

Pools come in many shapes, sizes and depths and can be customized to the needs and wants of the person who will be using it. There are in-ground and above-ground pools, which can have sand or cartridge filters that contain spun polyester which traps debris. A pool at home offers convenience, but also requires a certain amount of care to keep the water clean and healthy.

Keli Werda has an above-ground pool with a salt system. She said her set-up limits the amount of work she needs to do each summer and saves her time and money.

“I rarely have to add any additional chemicals. Adding salt in the spring is a lot less expensive than adding chemicals all season long and the salt system paid for itself the first season,” Werda said. “It does a great job of helping to keep the water stable and the pool clean, as well as reducing dry skin and red eyes from the chlorine.”

Natalie Nadeau owns a large oval, above-ground pool with a partial deck around a section of it. She said having a pool is convenient for her and has saved her time and money over the years.

“I don’t have to load everything up and go to the beach. When the kids were younger I would have to load them up and all the stuff we needed to take and then have them in the car made it filthy and it was a lot of work and hassle,” she said. “We decided to get a pool and it is great.”

Nadeau said after the first year of having the pool, maintaining it became easier. She said new technologies, such as a pool cleaning robot have cut down the amount of time it takes to keep the water swimable, which allows her more time relaxing in the water. Nadeau said people who recently purchased a pool, or are considering getting one, should be patient in the beginning and will learn the ins and outs through trial and error.

“Once you know what your doing it’s easy,” Nadeau said. “I used to spend hours cleaning the pool, now with the robot I can put it in the pool and walk away and do something else until it’s done. It basically cleans the pool for me.”

Nadeau said when you need to purchase chemicals or equipment it is best to get them through a businesses that specializes in pools and spas.

“I’m not trying to knock the big box stores, but don’t waste your money on cheaper chemicals because you will end up doing twice the work,” she said. “In the end you will pay half as much and do half the work.”

Not everyone has the ability to swim at home, or prefers the beach over pools. Some people like to take their children so they can play in the sand or on the playground equipment more beaches and parks have. Lorie Ferguson was at Starlite Beach Tuesday sitting on a blanket in the sand reading a book and watching kids play in the water. She said the water in Thunder Bay is still too chilly for her. She said when it warms, however, she will be in it several times a week.

“Our beaches are magnificent and there is always a lot to do around them,” Ferguson said. “I love walking on the beach and feeling the warm sand between my toes and the breeze off the lake. There is just more room to swim and take out big rafts then there is in a pool. At the beach it never really get too crowded, when a pool can seem full with only a few people in it. Plus it’s free.”

The swimming season is about to get into full swing as temperatures are going to climb into the mid-80s in the coming days. That will mean more people at the beach and in their pool. Ferguson said no matter which people use the important thing is they are enjoying the summer.

“We only get a few months of swimming weather, so any way people can take advantage of that is a good thing,” she said. “It won’t be long before people are taking their pools down and the water at the beach will be too cold to swim in. We have to enjoy them while we can.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.