Calgary Home + Garden Show 2026: Turn Your Backyard Pool Into a Resort-Style Oasis

Spring is coming to Calgary, and if you're one of the lucky homeowners with a backyard pool, you know the drill: the snow melts, you pull off the cover, and you start dreaming about those long summer evenings floating in the water with a cold drink in hand.

But here's the thing—most Calgary pools are missing one critical element: usable space. You've got the water, but nowhere to lounge without getting in and out constantly. No stable platform for the kids to play on. No comfortable seating that doesn't involve dragging patio furniture to the edge.

That's why Canadian Board Co. is bringing our inflatable dock and lounge chair solutions to the Calgary Home + Garden Show 2026 at BMO Centre (February 26 - March 2, 2026). We're at Booth 960, and we're showing Calgary homeowners how to add functional, stylish outdoor living space to their pools—without construction, permits, or permanent installations.

The Problem: Your Pool Has Potential, But No Place to Hang Out

Let's be real—if you own a pool in Calgary, you're dealing with at least one of these frustrations:

There's nowhere to sit IN the pool. You're either swimming, or you're sitting on the edge with your legs dangling. There's no comfortable middle ground where you can lounge in the water without constantly treading or holding onto the side.

The kids have nowhere to play. They want a platform to jump off, a stable surface to play games on, or a floating island to claim as their own. Right now, they're stuck with flimsy pool floats that flip over or deflate by mid-July.

You can't entertain properly. You've got a beautiful backyard, a pool, and a patio—but when guests come over, everyone ends up crowded on the deck. There's no way to extend your entertaining space INTO the pool itself.

Your pool feels small. You spent $30,000+ on an inground pool, but it feels cramped once you've got 4-5 people in it. You need more usable surface area without digging up your yard and expanding the pool.

The good news? You can solve all of this without a contractor, without a permit, and without spending another $20,000.

The Solutions: What We're Bringing to Booth 960

POP Up Dock: The Floating Patio for Your Pool

Imagine this: a stable, 8-foot by 7-foot platform floating in your pool. It's thick enough (8 inches) that it doesn't sag when you stand on it. It's rated for 1,500+ lbs, so you can have 4-5 people sitting, standing, or lounging on it at once. And it's covered in a non-slip teak PVC traction pad, so it looks like a yacht deck, not a pool toy.

That's the POP Up Dock.

Why 8 Inches Matters

You've probably seen cheap inflatable platforms at Costco or on Amazon. They're 6 inches thick, they sag in the middle when you step on them, and they flip over if two people try to sit on the edge at the same time.

The POP Up Dock is 8 inches thick. That extra 2 inches means 33% more buoyancy, which translates to a flatter, more stable surface. It sits higher in the water, handles more weight, and doesn't flex when you walk across it.

The construction is commercial-grade drop-stitch PVC—the same technology used in high-end paddleboards. When you inflate it to 12-15 PSI, it becomes rigid, like standing on a wooden deck. But it weighs just 52 lbs deflated, so you can move it, store it, and set it up without help.

How Calgary Homeowners Are Using It:

Pool Island for Kids: Anchor it in the middle of your pool with a mushroom anchor (or just let it float). Now the kids have a stable platform to jump off, play king-of-the-hill, or lounge on between swims. No more fighting over flimsy floats that deflate halfway through the summer.

Entertaining Platform: Hosting a pool party? The POP Up Dock becomes a floating bar, a serving station, or a seating area. Guests can sit on the edge with their feet in the water, or stand on it with drinks in hand. It's like adding a 56-square-foot patio to your pool.

Yoga and Fitness: The 8-inch thickness makes it stable enough for pool yoga, bodyweight exercises, or stretching. It's a unique way to use your pool beyond just swimming.

Winter Storage: When summer ends, you deflate it (takes 15 minutes), roll it up, and store it in your garage or basement. No need to disassemble a permanent structure or worry about freeze damage.

POP Up Chairs: The Lounge Seating Your Pool is Missing

Now let's talk about seating. You've got patio chairs on the deck, but what about IN the pool?

The POP Up Chair Set (2 chairs, $549) is designed for exactly this: comfortable, ergonomic lounge seating that you can use on your dock, on your pool deck, or partially submerged in the shallow end.

What Makes These Different from Pool Floats?

These aren't the cheap inflatable loungers you buy at Canadian Tire that deflate after two weeks. The POP Up Chairs are made from premium PVC with a low-profile, contemporary design. They're ergonomically shaped for extended lounging, and they're built to last multiple seasons.

How Calgary Homeowners Are Using Them:

Dock Seating: Place them on your POP Up Dock for comfortable, elevated seating. Now you've got a floating lounge setup in the middle of your pool.

Shallow End Lounging: Position them in the shallow end so you're partially submerged but still sitting upright. Perfect for staying cool while reading a book or chatting with friends.

Poolside Patio Seating: Use them on your deck as lightweight, portable patio chairs. When you're done, deflate them and store them in the garage.

Portable Entertaining: Hosting a backyard BBQ? Set up the chairs around the pool for extra seating. When the party's over, deflate them and toss them in the storage bag.

Customer Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars, 100% would recommend. Customers love the comfort and build quality. Pro tip from reviews: these work best on docks or in shallow water—they're not designed for floating in deep water (they can tip if you're not careful).

Inflatable Paddleboards: The Backyard Recreation Upgrade

If you've got a pool, you've probably thought about paddleboards. But here's the thing—most people assume paddleboards are only for lakes and rivers. Not true.

Inflatable paddleboards are perfect for backyard pools, especially if you've got kids who want something active to do beyond just swimming laps. They're also great if you live near Chestermere Lake, Glenmore Reservoir, or any of the Kananaskis lakes and want a portable, easy-to-store option for weekend adventures.

We carry a full range of inflatable paddleboards, including:

POP Board Co. Royal Hawaiian (10'6"): $749. Nimble all-around shape, great for beginners to experts. Vibrant mint/black design. Perfect for pool play or lake cruising.

POP Board Co. Yacht Hopper (11'): $899. Premium adventure board with front and rear cooler mounts, extra D-rings for gear, and increased volume for stability. Includes 3-piece paddle, pump, fin, leash, and wheeled carrying backpack. This is the board for Calgary homeowners who want to take it from the backyard pool to Spray Lakes on the weekend.

Why Inflatable?

Rigid paddleboards are expensive ($1,200-$2,000), require roof racks or a truck to transport, and take up massive storage space in your garage. Inflatable paddleboards pack down into a backpack, inflate in 5-8 minutes, and perform just as well for recreational use. Plus, they're safer for kids in the pool—no hard edges to worry about.

Bonus: For Lakefront Homeowners—Rover Marine Inflatable Boats

If you're one of the lucky Calgary homeowners with a cabin on Sylvan Lake, a property on Chestermere, or a summer place in the Kananaskis, we're also bringing our Rover Marine inflatable boats to the show.

These aren't pool toys—they're military-grade PVC boats with drop-stitch floors, reinforced transoms, and the ability to handle 15HP motors. They weigh 86-135 lbs deflated (depending on size), fit in the back of your SUV, and inflate in 8 minutes.

Why does this matter for homeowners? No trailer. No storage fees. No hassle.

If you've been thinking about getting a boat for your lakefront property but don't want to deal with trailer permits, winter storage costs ($400-$1,500/season in Calgary), or the logistics of towing, an inflatable boat is the solution. You store it in your garage, inflate it at the dock, and you're on the water.

We'll have the Battle Boat (dinghy/tender design) and Battle Cat (dual-pontoon catamaran) on display at Booth 960 if you want to see them in person.

Image suggestion: Rover Marine Battle Boat at a lakefront dock with a mountain backdrop. Alt text: "Rover Marine inflatable boat for Alberta lakefront homeowners"

Comparison: Inflatable vs. Traditional Pool Add-Ons

Feature	POP Up Dock (8x7x8")	Permanent Pool Deck Extension
Weight Capacity	1,500+ lbs	Varies (typically 2,000+ lbs)
Setup Time	10 minutes (inflate + position)	2-4 weeks (construction + permits)
Permit Required?	No (temporary structure)	Yes (permanent structure in Calgary)
Winter Storage	Deflate, store in garage (15 min)	Permanent (risk of freeze damage)
Portability	52 lbs, fits in car trunk	Not portable
Price	$899	$5,000-$15,000 (materials + labor)

Feature	POP Up Chair Set (2 chairs)	Permanent Pool Bench/Ledge
Seating Capacity	2 adults	Varies (typically 3-4 adults)
Setup Time	5 minutes (inflate)	Requires pool renovation
Flexibility	Move anywhere, use on dock or deck	Fixed location
Winter Storage	Deflate, store in closet	Permanent (no storage needed)
Portability	20 lbs, fits in carrying bag	Not portable
Price	$549	$3,000-$8,000 (pool renovation)

FAQ: Calgary Homeowners' Most Common Questions

Q: Will the POP Up Dock damage my pool liner?

A: No. The POP Up Dock has a smooth PVC bottom with no sharp edges or abrasive materials. It's designed to float on water without contacting the pool floor. Just make sure it's properly inflated and positioned away from sharp objects (pool ladders, diving boards, etc.).

Q: Can I leave the dock inflated in my pool all summer?

A: Yes, but we recommend checking the air pressure weekly, especially during hot Calgary days when the sun heats the PVC and increases internal pressure. The dock is UV-resistant and designed for extended use. If you're expecting severe weather (hailstorms, high winds), deflate it temporarily to extend its lifespan.

Q: Can I leave the dock out over winter?

A: Absolutely not. Freezing temperatures and ice will destroy it. Deflate and store it indoors before the first freeze. The good news? It takes 15 minutes to deflate and fits in a closet or garage shelf.

Q: How long does it take to inflate the POP Up Dock?

A: With the included dual-action pump, about 10 minutes. With an electric pump (sold separately), 5-7 minutes. It's a one-person job—no help needed.

Q: Are the POP Up Chairs safe for kids?

A: Yes, but with supervision. The chairs are stable when placed on a dock or in shallow water, but they can tip if a child tries to use them as a floating device in deep water. We recommend using them on the dock or in water where kids can touch the bottom.

Q: Can I use the paddleboards in my backyard pool?

A: Absolutely! Inflatable paddleboards are great for pool use, especially for kids. They're softer than rigid boards (no hard edges), and they give kids something active to do beyond just swimming. Just make sure your pool is at least 10 feet long for the smaller boards.

Q: Do I need a pump, or is one included?

A: Every product (dock, chairs, paddleboards) comes with a dual-action hand pump. If you want faster inflation, we also sell electric pumps separately at Booth 960.

Calgary Home + Garden Show 2026: Show Logistics & How to Find Us

Event: Calgary Home + Garden Show 2026
Dates: February 26 - March 2, 2026
Location: BMO Centre, Stampede Park, Calgary, AB
Our Booth: Booth 960
Tickets: https://www.calgaryhgs.com/

What to Expect at Booth 960:

We'll have the POP Up Dock fully inflated and set up so you can step on it, test the stability, and see the build quality up close. No water required—it's that rigid.

The POP Up Chairs will be on display so you can sit in them and feel the ergonomic design. We'll also have inflatable paddleboards, pumps, and accessories available to browse.

If you're a lakefront homeowner, we'll have the Rover Marine inflatable boats on display as well.

Show Specials: We'll have exclusive Calgary Home + Garden Show pricing on select models (Booth 960 only—these deals won't be available online). Plus, we're offering free shipping on all orders placed at the show (normally $99 minimum for free shipping).

Final Thoughts: Why We're Here

We're a small, family-run shop based in Kelowna, BC, and we've been testing this gear on Okanagan Lake and in backyard pools for years. We know it holds up because we use it ourselves—pool parties, family days, lake trips, you name it.

The reason we're bringing POP Board Co. and Rover Marine to the Calgary Home + Garden Show is simple: Calgary homeowners deserve better outdoor living options. You shouldn't have to spend $10,000 on a pool deck extension, or $5,000 on a permanent bench, or deal with permits and contractors just to make your backyard pool more functional.

Inflatable technology has come a long way. This isn't the flimsy pool float your parents had in the '90s. This is commercial-grade PVC, drop-stitch construction, and engineering that's built to last. It's gear that packs down small, stores easily, and performs like permanent structures—without the cost, hassle, or commitment.

So if you're at the Calgary Home + Garden Show between February 26 and March 2, come check out Booth 960. We'd love to meet you, answer your questions, and show you how to turn your backyard pool into a resort-style oasis without breaking the bank.

See you at the show.

 

About Canadian Board Co.: We're a Kelowna-based water sports outfitter specializing in premium inflatable paddleboards, docks, and outdoor recreation gear. We ship Canada-wide and offer free shipping on orders over $99. Shop inflatable docks | View POP Up Chairs | Browse paddleboards