Pool accessories in Switzerland: choose better to enjoy the water more

October 19, 2026

Family using several pool accessories and foam noodles in Switzerland

In Switzerland, water is part of the landscape and of everyday summer life. Private pools, public baths, lakes and wellness areas offer countless ways to swim, play or simply slow down. A broad family of accessories has developed around these places: foam pool noodles, kickboards, goggles, floating games, aqua-fitness equipment and safety devices.

They can look similar on the shelf, but they do not all serve the same purpose. A suitable accessory must match the person using it, their activity and the swimming environment. Its manufacturing quality and condition also matter. The best choice therefore begins with a simple question: what do you want to do in the water?

1. For children: discovering the water through play

Learning in the water does not necessarily begin with a perfectly executed pool length. It often starts with a game, a splash, a jump or a balance exercise. Swimsports explains that teaching adapted to children combines swimming with games and varied experiences in the water. Enjoyment helps them become familiar with the aquatic environment.

A lightweight noodle can support supervised exercises, imaginative games or a first exploration of buoyancy. A kickboard helps children work on a specific position or movement. These objects support the activity, but they never make a child independent in the water.

The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention recommends keeping children in sight and the youngest within arm’s reach, even when they use a flotation aid. The Swiss Lifesaving Society also stresses that no accessory can replace the personal supervision of an adult. A pool noodle remains a leisure and learning product. It replaces neither an approved life jacket nor constant supervision.

2. For teenagers and adults: moving differently

Water makes it possible to exercise the body with a welcome feeling of lightness. A sufficiently long and buoyant noodle can support aqua-fitness movements, balance exercises or a gentle pool session. A kickboard, meanwhile, helps isolate leg work or structure a swimming exercise.

The World Health Organization notes that regular physical activity contributes to physical health, well-being and the prevention of many noncommunicable diseases. Of course, not every accessory turns a swim into a workout. It can nevertheless make movement more enjoyable and encourage regular activity.

For aqua fitness, length, diameter and buoyancy become essential criteria. A small, easy-to-handle noodle is well suited to children’s games. A larger model better meets the needs of an adult who wants support, flotation or a series of exercises.

3. For relaxation: comfort really matters

A pool noodle can also provide support while reading by the pool, chatting in the water or taking a break. In this setting, comfort depends greatly on the diameter, foam density and ability to retain its shape.

Closed-cell polyethylene foams absorb very little water and offer good buoyancy. This structure explains why they are used in many aquatic products. However, not all foams provide the same density, resilience or mechanical strength. Initial appearance alone is therefore not enough to judge an accessory’s lifespan.

4. The material makes the difference

A pool accessory is subjected to twisting, impacts, friction and repeated exposure to water, sunlight and pool treatments. Foam that is too light can sag or tear quickly. Conversely, a denser, well-chosen foam generally retains its shape better under normal use.

La Frite Suisse® uses closed-cell polyethylene foam with added EVA. Its noodles are made in France, then designed and individually engraved in Switzerland. The brand offers three sizes: S for children and play, M for teenagers, adults and aqua fitness, and L for relaxation and greater buoyancy.

This difference in construction also explains the price gap compared with an entry-level noodle. The choice is no longer only about colour. It concerns the material, size, finish, service and intended lifespan.

5. A good accessory must remain in good condition

A quick check before each use is often enough: is the foam deeply cut? Is any part coming loose? Does the surface contain anything sharp? Has the accessory been exposed to intense heat for a long time?

After swimming, rinse it with clean water to remove salt, sand and treatment residue. Then let it air-dry and store it in a dry place protected from prolonged sunlight. A durable object requires little maintenance, but it should not be left in the pool all year round.

6. How can you put together a coherent set of equipment?

For a family, a few well-chosen accessories are better than a collection of unsuitable objects. A balanced set might include one noodle per child to avoid arguments, a more buoyant noodle for adults, a kickboard for exercises and, separately, safety equipment suited to the age and activity.

In a swimming school or club, visual distinctions make organisation easier. Different colours, a name or engraving help identify the equipment. For a hotel or campsite, perceived quality and consistency with the establishment matter just as much as function.

Choosing a pool accessory ultimately means choosing the moments you want to experience: learning, moving, playing or relaxing. When the material, format and purpose are coherent, the object stops being a simple summer consumable. It naturally finds its place by the pool, season after season.