For over 35 years, Summer Waves® has been bringing the fun and joy of summer to backyards across America. As the leading manufacturer of above ground swimming pools, pool accessories and backyard products, we take pride in helping families create lasting summer memories together.
Our History
Summer Waves® was founded in 1982 by two brothers, John and David Smith, in their hometown of Wichita, Kansas. As swimming enthusiasts, they saw the need for more affordable and accessible above ground pool options. At the time, most above ground pools were basic circular models made of aluminum or steel.
The Smith brothers had a vision to make above ground pools more attractive, innovative and family-friendly. They opened up a small workshop and began designing and building their own above ground pools using wood, fiberglass and resin materials. This allowed them to shape the pools into new freeform and oval designs that looked more like in-ground pools.
In 1984, they officially launched Summer Waves® and sold their first above ground pool models to local retailers. Their unique pool shapes and quality materials were an instant hit. As demand grew, they expanded distribution across the Midwest and eventually nationwide.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, Summer Waves® continued leading the above ground pool market in innovation and design. Some of their revolutionary early accomplishments included:
- First above ground pool manufacturer to use durable resin paneling (1987)
- First freeform-style above ground pool with curved sides (1989)
- First above ground pool kit with skirting included (1995)
- First oval-shaped above ground pool model (1998)
In 2002, Summer Waves® reached a major milestone, selling its 1 millionth above ground pool!
Our Products
Today, Summer Waves® offers an extensive range of above ground swimming pools to meet any backyard need and budget:
- Frame Pools: Our traditional economical option featuring durable steel frame construction. Available in round and oval shapes from 10′ to 24′ diameters.
- Elite Frame Pools: A step up with resin top ledges and durable polyethylene panel walls for extra strength and beauty. Oval and round models from 12′ to 24′ diameters.
- Ultra Frame Pools: Our premier steel frame pool line with resin top rails, vertical supports and accent strips. Contemporary oval, round and rectangle shapes from 12′ to 24′ long.
- Hybrid Pools: Combining the strength of steel panels with the elegance of resin for a contemporary hybrid design. Oval and rectangular models from 12’x24′ to 18’x33′.
- Resin Pools: Gorgeous contemporary pools made of durable resin composite panels. Stunning freeform, oval and rectangle models from 12’x24′ to 18’x33′.
- Metal Wall Pools: For a tropical look, these pools feature aluminum walls and resin top rails in wave and scallop designs. Sizes range from 12′ round to 18’x33′ oval.
All of our above ground pools are designed for easy DIY assembly and include corrosion-resistant structures, durable laminated sidewalls and premium skirting. Choose from designer patterns, colors and finishes to create a customized backyard pool.
In addition to pools, we offer a complete selection of pool accessories and backyard products:
- Pool Kits: Convenient bundles with everything needed – pool, pump, filter, ladder, maintenance kit, skimmer and more!
- Pumps: Energy efficient above ground pool pumps ranging from 0.5HP to 2.7HP.
- Filters: Durable sand, DE and cartridge filters designed for proper water circulation and clarity.
- Covers: Protect your pool with premium safety covers, solar covers, mesh covers and solid winter covers.
- Liners: Long-lasting 20-30 mil liners available in a variety of decorative prints and colors.
- Ladders: Safety pool ladders, A-frame ladders, pool steps and spa stairs.
- Maintenance: Pool vacuums, leaf nets, skimmers, test strips, algaecide and other cleaning essentials.
- Lighting: Underwater pool lights, above-ground lighting kits and poolside string lights.
- Inflatables: Massive floating islands, fun loungers, play centers and the best-selling Paradise Island inflatable pool.
We also carry patio furniture, gazebos, umbrellas, spas and more – everything you need to create a luxury backyard retreat for leisurely days soaking up the sun with family and friends.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Summer Waves, we are dedicated to providing our customers with premium products you can rely on season after season. We only use the finest materials and advanced structural engineering to ensure strength, durability and years of enjoyment.
All of our pools undergo rigorous quality control and testing at our ISO 9001 certified facilities. Our pools are designed to be simple to maintain with corrosion-resistant components that resist fading, cracking, peeling and other wear and tear. We use multi-layered polyethylene and galvanized steel sidewalls along with innovative TriTechTM skirting for unparalleled safety and security.
Rest assured your Summer Waves pool will withstand everything from intense sunlight to active kids thanks to our commitment to quality.
Our Focus on Innovation
Summer Waves® has led the above ground pool industry in innovation for over 35 years. We hold numerous patents and are constantly pushing boundaries to create the world’s best above ground pools packed with features and benefits for your family.
Some of our most recent leading-edge advancements include:
- DuraPlusTM Protection: Proprietary formula applied to our pool wall lamination that shields against corrosion and abrasion.
- Arrays Fiber Technology: Ultra-fine fibers interwoven in our pool materials provide remarkable strength and durability.
- Hybrid Bonding Technology: Combining the strength of galvanized steel with the beauty of durable resin materials.
- 360 ̊ All-Side Skirting: Skirting encompasses the entire pool frame for maximum rigidity and style.
- TriTechTM Skirting: Patented interlocking triple-wall skirting panels that lock together tightly.
- Oval Max Design: Specialized engineering that allows our oval pools to hold up to 30% more water than standard ovals.
We also pride ourselves on bringing customers the latest pool technology for ease of use and maintenance:
- OptiBreezeTM Skimmers: Advanced filtration design improves circulation while cutting energy costs.
- HydroForceTM Jets: Built-in slot jets provide powerful jet action without hoses or pumps.
- SmartPureTM Mineral Systems: Automated sanitizing systems use minerals like salt to keep water fresh and clear.
- E-Z View Ladders: See-through steps on pool ladders make it easy to spot kids underwater.
We never stop striving to enhance our products through new innovations and technologies. Our team puts careful thought into understanding families’ needs to dream up pools packed with purposeful features that add value and enjoyment.
Our People Make the Difference
The heart of Summer Waves® is our dedicated team of employees who have a personal passion for bringing the fun and benefits of pools to backyard everywhere. We have over 500 passionate team members across four facilities in Wichita, KS and Mesa, AZ where our pools are proudly designed, engineered and assembled in the USA.
Our close-knit Midwest roots and values are still strong after 35 years. Our Wichita headquarters has an onsite state-of-the-art testing lab along with two large manufacturing plants totaling over 600,000 square feet of space. This gives us complete control over every aspect of the pool making process from design prototyping to molding, welding, assembly and packaging.
We also operate an additional manufacturing and distribution center in Mesa. Having facilities on both sides of the country allows us to efficiently serve our nationwide customer base and partners.
Our talented team includes structural engineers, designers, metallurgists, polymer specialists, quality control experts and experienced production assemblers. We value continuous learning and provide extensive training so employees can grow their careers with us. Our engineers are constantly educated on the latest innovations and techniques so they can push boundaries in above ground pool engineering.
We promote from within and many employees have been with us 10, 20 or even 30+ years building their careers at Summer Waves. Our close camaraderie shows in our work and customer satisfaction scores. We ensure every team member understands the importance of their role in bringing joy and memories to backyards across America.
Giving Back
Part of Summer Waves‘ legacy is our commitment to giving back to the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the following initiatives:
- Working with landscape architects, city planners and HOAs to incorporate pool-friendly spaces into community developments. We aim to make pools more accessible for all families.
- Partnering with non-profit organizations across the country to donate pools and volunteering manpower towards aquatic projects.
- Providing educational opportunities for those interested in pursuing careers in engineering, manufacturing and construction. This includes facility tours, career fairs and scholarship programs.
- Supporting youth water safety and drowning prevention programs. We regularly donate to organizations providing water safety lessons to kids in need.
- Environmental protection through sustainable manufacturing practices and recycle programs to reduce waste. Our pools use non-toxic, recyclable materials whenever possible.
We are proud to have donated over $5 million worth of pools, products and labor to deserving community programs and non-profit partners nationwide.
Join the Summer Waves Family
We hope this glimpse into our journey and values gives you a sense of who Summer Waves® is and what we represent. We’re a family company committed to bringing families together through the enjoyment of simple pleasures like lounging poolside on a hot summer day.
Our team treats every customer like family. We provide premium quality pools tailored to your backyard needs along with the friendly service you deserve. Your satisfaction from design to installation to years of enjoyment is our top priority.
To learn more and get a free estimate on the perfect Summer Waves pool for your backyard, contact us today! Let’s make a splash this summer!