There’s more to an aquatic sport event than water, and Myrtha Pools supplies many competition pool accessories that meet FINA’s high standards for international competitions. One of the most important solutions for pools is the Myrtha Movable Bulkhead. This special accessory allows different aquatic competitions – swimming, water polo and artistic swimming – and maximizes the use of the pool by planning different activities and courses at the same time in just one pool.
Movable bulkheads are most commonly found in large vessels such as 50-m pools. The placement of the bulkhead at the proper spots enables the full utilization of the facility, with multiple unrelated activities conducted at the same time without any conflict. Unlike many competing systems, the Myrtha Pools movable bulkhead system offers a clear advantage in accuracy.
photo: Myrtha Pools
Drawing rigidity from its stainless-steel structure, the bulkhead spans the width of the pool without flexing or bending. The whole structure rests upon wheels, which roll over rails installed into the deck surface. The ease of movement is enhanced by a pair of large stainless steel flywheels located on both ends of the bulkhead. Those big captain’s wheels are geared to a double chain mechanism that makes moving the bulkheads easy.
Myrtha also offers a magnetic traction system that can be used to move and position the bulkhead automatically. This eliminates the effort that would otherwise be needed to move the bulkhead manually, and it also keeps the deck and bulkheads clean and clear.
Let’s dive into some of the special Myrtha Bulkheads, offering sustainable solutions that provide flexibility for existing facilities.
The “split-in-two” movable bulkhead
photo: Myrtha Pools
Our FINA-approved two-piece moveable bulkhead is a groundbreaking two-in-one solution that gives aquatic coordinators added flexibility and control over space. This innovative Split Bulkhead – installed in some of the best aquatic facilities, such as Hallenbad Buchholz in Uster, Switzerland or at Aquamore Bocconi Sport Center in Milan, Italy – makes it easy to create one, two or even three distinct pool areas. Sharing pool space among different user groups has never been easier, especially with an option that allows for lane lines to travel straight through the bulkhead.
photo: Myrtha Pools
The flow-through bulkhead
photo: Myrtha Pools
A key feature to Myrtha’s bulkhead system is the use of a vertically slatted surface on the bulkhead walls. This approach allows much of the energy generated by an oncoming swimmer to dissipate during the turn phase of competitive swimming. This key attribute – installed in many top racing natatoriums such as Northwest ISD Aquatic Center, Colby College and the University of Texas – allows for less turbulence in the water, thus a better opportunity for all of the participants to swim fast.
The thermal bulkhead
photo: Myrtha Pools
A thermal bulkhead is a unique option in which the bulkhead functions as a thermal barrier, dividing two areas of the pool with different water temperatures with a minimum of heat loss. The structure of this kind of bulkhead is different, as it includes an insulating material that keeps the two temperature regimes distinct. This solution is especially useful for multipurpose aquatic centres that offer competition pools for serious athletes and warmer water for fitness-minded participants of all ages, as in Windsor International Aquatic Centre in Canada and the Lakshya Sports Academy that will open in the near future in India.
photo: Myrtha Pools
