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I have been building and advising on Natural Swimming Pools for over a decade - and it has become a mission of mine to raise awareness of these pools and make them accessible to more people.
Their rise in popularity has provided many opportunities with others who share the excitement.
I studied biomedical electronics but drifted into television production at the BBC, all the while being something of a closet pond obsessive and practical ecologist.
I started building organic pools out of inquisition more then anything - I was fascinated by how nature created such clean clear water without the need for added chemicals. My organic filtration experiments soon became something of a necessity as my young son developed eczema over his body from swimming at school. Since, I have become something of a campaigner for natural swimming pools.
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The drive for OLIVE came about through conversations and support from some wonderful people. Over the years of building natural swimming pools I developed a natural filtration system that uses the least amount of power possible. I often found myself discussing this with people in coffee shops between shifts at the BBC and before I knew it I was sitting round a table with some great product designers, Paul and Nick of Product Resolutions, bringing OLIVE to life.
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I have built several prototypes of OLIVE, some have been wonderful and others just weird, using anything I can get my hands on to create the desired function. To this point, OLIVE has been completely self funded, however if it is to become a reality, I need your help to get over the final hurdle of manufacture. People all around the world have expressed an interest in OLIVE for new natural swimming pools, existing pools as well as potentially helping to convert conventional swimming pools into natural pools.
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OLIVE is a self contained multi-functional filter that floats on the water's surface. Installation is simple and maintenance is minimal : just rinsing the mesh filter in fresh water once every few days - it takes about a minute. And when it comes to looks, OLIVE is possibly the most beautiful filter in the world.
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The amount of money I am campaigning for will allow OLIVE to become a reality. To this point I have invested around £60,000 and have 1 final prototype that is ready to go into production.
In order to manufacture 190 units I require a further £30,000 - This will allow me to experiment further with OLIVE in order to develop the product and begin offering them for sale on my website.
The units will be manufactured in China, this has proven to provide the best quality, most cost effective way to develop the product.
Why am I crowdfunding? I am unable to afford the final stage, passion and my savings have got me this far and I need a bit of help to take it further. OLIVE started out from others encouragement and it feels apt that it should finish this way.
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The perks I am offering allow me to share with you everything I can about natural swimming pools, from my guides to making your own pool to full consultation on your pool build. I am also providing you the opportunity to own one of the first OLIVE's.
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A Natural Swimming Pool can also be a wildlife pond and as such it is an highly effective way to increase local biodiveristy.
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Natural pools are provide an ecosystem that supports a huge range of flora and fauna, Indeed, they are a vital component of the system keeping the water quality high and healthy to swim in. OLIVE compliments this natural system. It works alongside the natural processes occurring in the pool.
OLIVE is extremely low impact - it uses 20W of electricity which is on average, at least 20 times less then conventional swimming pool pumps.
Swimming in natural water is good for us in so many ways. It is kind to your skin, it doesn't sting your eyes and being free of chlorine - it doesn't dissolve your swimming costume. The health benefits of outdoor swimming are becoming more recognised by the day, from physical exercise and other physiological benefits to the elevation of our sence of well being. And just being immersed in natural surroundings promotes relaxation and enjoyment.
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My instinct for this project has got me this far and I hope with your help I can see it into fruition. Indeed, the encouragement of others has been an inspiration and I am certain that OLIVE can help more of us have access to a natural swimming.
I am really excited to know the full extent of OLIVE's capabilities, having more units will allow me to experiment (particularly with the conversion of conventional swimming pools) and further understand the breadth of opportunity for OLIVE.
I have been testing OLIVE for about 2 years - I know it works and is reliable. At this point there are no real obstacles.
Please support OLIVE in whatever way you can, even if you are unable to back the project please share this page so we can get the word out.
I genuinely feel OLIVE can have a big impact on swimming pools of the future. Indeed, swimming in natural water is becoming mainstream now, there are even public Natural Swimming Pools in UK and USA. And OLIVE, will just make it easier for more of us to have our own.
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