The First Step
Into Your Pool Matters
Designed Around the Way You Use Your Pool
Your pools entry system is one of the most used parts of the entire pool. It affects how you enter the water, where kids gather, how guests interact with the pool, and how the entire backyard feels visually.
Hydra offers a range of entry options including molded drop-in steps, Vinyl covered steel step systems, tanning ledges, benches, and fully custom configurations designed around your pool layout and lifestyle.
Comfortable Entry
Wide treads, smooth transitions, and thoughtfully designed entry layouts create a more natural way to enter and enjoy the pool.
Seating
Integrated benches and resting areas create space for relaxing, socializing, and spending more time in the water.
Tanning Ledges
Shallow water areas designed for lounging, sunbathing, and relaxed backyard living.
Poolside Appearance
Entry systems designed to complement your pool shape, liner pattern, and overall backyard style.
Four Ways In. One Right Choice for Your Pool.
Not every pool needs the same entry. Here’s what each type does best and who it’s built for.
Sweetwater Thermoform Steps
Solid molded plastic, the most durable and affordable step option Hydra offers.
Modular Steel Steps
Vinyl covered steel construction that blends with the pool liner for a seamless, finished look.
Vinyl Covered Step Upgrade
Built to fit any space — including pools that didn’t originally have steps. The go-to solution for retrofits and custom dimensions.
Swimouts & Cozy Cove
From straight swimouts to the Cozy Cove, a built-in rounded lounge with jets that seats up to four. Where the pool becomes a retreat.
THERMOFORM MOLDED STEPS
SWEETWATER THERMOFORM STEPS
Pre-molded from solid thermoplastic, Sweetwater steps are the most affordable step option in the Hydra lineup and one of the most durable. Because they’re solid plastic rather than Vinyl covered, there’s nothing to puncture or tear. They do have a distinct appearance from the rest of the pool’s liner finish, which is actually a practical benefit: it makes the entry and exit point easy to identify at a glance.
Durable, affordable and safer by design
Unlike Vinyl covered steps, Sweetwater steps are solid Luran, built to handle pets, pool toys and everyday traffic.
The contrasting finish helps clearly define the pool entrance for a cleaner, more visible transition into the water.
Sweetwater steps offer one of the most affordable entry solutions in the Hydra lineup without sacrificing long-term durability
Available in straight, radius, corner, 3-tread, 4-tread, bullnose, and cantilever configurations to fit a wide range of pool designs
SWEETWATER THERMOFORM STEPS
VINYL COVERED ENTRY SYSTEMS
Vinyl covered entry systems use the same liner material as the rest of the pool to create a clean, integrated appearance. Steps, benches, tanning ledges and lounging areas blend naturally into the overall pool design instead of looking like separate add-on components. This style is popular in modern backyard designs where homeowners want the entire pool to feel cohesive and custom-built.
VINYL COVERED STEPS
MODULAR STEEL STEPS
Vinyl covered Modular Steel steps blend into the pool liner for a clean, built-in look. But the real advantage is flexibility. Add benches, tanning ledges, corner seating, and custom entry layouts designed around how you actually use the pool.
Built around your pool design
The liner continues across the steps, benches, and ledges for a cleaner, more integrated look.
Create shallow lounging areas, built-in seating and wider entry designs tailored to your backyard.
Modular components are configured around your pool layout instead of forcing your design around a prebuilt step.
VINYL COVERED STEP UPGRADE
OPEN POUR STEPS
Open Pour steps and tanning ledges are built directly into the pool and covered in vinyl to match the liner. That means you can create wider entries, oversized tanning ledges, benches, and custom shapes even in pools that weren’t originally built with them.
THE UPGRADE OPTION
ALREADY HAVE A POOL? YOU CAN STILL HAVE THE ENTRY YOU WANT.
Many older pools were built with basic ladder entries or small premolded steps. Open Pour lets you add wider entries, tanning ledges, benches and custom lounging areas during a renovation or liner replacement.
Because everything is formed on site, the design can be shaped around your existing pool and available space.
Steps, ledges and benches
Create custom entry areas, shallow lounging shelves, and built-in seating designed around your pool.
Works with existing pools
Perfect for renovations, liner replacements, and upgrading outdated entry systems.
Finished in matching vinyl
Everything is covered in liner material that blends naturally into the rest of the pool.
SWIMOUTS & LOUNGING
SWIMOUTS & COZY COVE
A swimout turns the edge of your pool into an experience. Whether it’s a straight ledge for easy exits and shallow play, or the Cozy Cove’s rounded lounge with built-in jets this is where a backyard pool starts to feel like a resort.
Straight Swimout
A flat ledge at the water line — built into the pool wall as a step-up exit point and shallow resting area. Clean, geometric, and easy to use for swimmers of all ages. Particularly valuable where ladder entry isn’t preferred.
Easy exit for all ages
Shallow resting ledge
Clean geometric look
Cozy Cove Swimout
A rounded, curved seating area that seats up to four people. The Cozy Cove comes with jets and plumbing included, no separate spa required. It’s a lounge, an entry point and a gathering spot all at once.
Seats up to 4 people
Jets & plumbing included
Built into the pool
No separate spa required
WHICH ENTRY IS RIGHT FOR YOUR POOL?
| YOUR SITUATION | SWEETWATER THERMOFORM | MODULAR STEEL | OPEN POUR STEPS | COZY COVE / SWIMOUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Families with young children or pets | — | — | — | |
| Most affordable step option | — | — | — | |
| Replacing old premolded steps | — | — | — | |
| Adding steps to a pool without any | — | — | — | |
| Blends seamlessly with the pool liner | — | — | ||
| Add benches and tanning ledges | — | — | ||
| Older swimmers who prefer not to use a ladder | ||||
| Shallow play area for small children | — | — | ||
| Lounging and entertaining in the water | — | — | — | |
| Jets included, no separate spa | — | — | — |
COMMON QUESTIONS
FAQ
Answers to what most homeowners ask before they reach out.
Can I add steps to my pool after it’s already been built?
Yes. Open Pour systems can add steps, tanning ledges, benches, and custom entry areas during a renovation or liner replacement — even if the pool originally had none.
What’s the difference between Sweetwater Thermoform and Vinyl covered steps?
Molded steps are solid thermoplastic with a distinct finish and exceptional durability. Vinyl-covered steps blend seamlessly into the pool liner for a more integrated, custom appearance.
What’s the most durable pool step option?
Sweetwater Thermoform steps are the most durable option in the Hydra lineup thanks to their solid thermoplastic construction.
Can I add a tanning ledge to an existing pool?
In many cases, yes. Open Pour systems can be formed on site to add tanning ledges, benches, and expanded entry areas during pool renovations through the options.
Do vinyl-covered steps match the pool liner?
Yes. Vinyl-covered steps are finished in liner material that matches or complements the rest of the pool for a clean, continuous look.
Which entry option is best for families with kids?
That depends on how you use the pool. Sweetwater steps are practical and durable, while vinyl-covered entries offer wider lounging areas, benches, and tanning ledges for more flexible family use.
Talk to a Hydra dealer about the right steps for your pool.
Every entry option is available through Hydra’s network of authorized dealers. Bring your pool plans and they’ll help you choose the configuration that fits your shape, your family, and your budget.
Get Inspired
See real Hydra pools, liner transformations and backyard ideas from homeowners and dealers across the country.