Swimming pool starting blocks

Patentverwag has been manufacturing swimming pool starting blocks since the early 1970s. Over fifty years of pool-side experience, hundreds of facilities equipped worldwide, and a product range built entirely around one principle: every start must be reliable, safe, and regulation-compliant.

Whether you are fitting out an Olympic facility, a municipal pool, or a club training centre, the starting block is the first point of contact between the athlete and the race. Patentverwag starting blocks are engineered in full compliance with World Aquatics (formerly FINA) standards, in AISI 316 stainless steel, with adjustable anti-slip footrests and bases designed to house timing and loudspeaker equipment.

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Why the starting block determines more than just the start

A swimming pool starting block is a raised platform, anchored to the pool deck or the head wall, from which competitive swimmers launch at the beginning of a race. In regulation facilities it must not exceed 0.75 m above the water surface (World Aquatics standard) and must provide a non-slip, stable platform to allow a controlled, explosive start.

The technical demands are strict:

Corrosion resistance against chlorine and pool chemicals
A secure anchorage that does not shift under load
Compatibility with timing systems and loudspeaker devices
Compliance with the applicable governing-body ruleset – World Aquatics for international and Olympic events, national federations for club and school competitions.

What distinguishes a competition-grade block from a generic one is not just material. It is the combination of adjustable footrest geometry, rear heel support, a non-slip platform surface that performs wet, and a base engineered to absorb and distribute the force of a start without lateral movement. These are the parameters Patentverwag has refined over five decades of field-tested design.

Patentverwag swimming pool starting Blocks: the range

Patentverwag offers two structural configurations: low-profile units for wall mounting and tall units for pools at pool-edge level, both available in competition and training versions. All models share the same material specifications: AISI 316 stainless steel for the base, handle and structural components; non-slip ABS footrests available in blue or white.

Below are some of the main models:

Start A1 – Low block, head-wall installation

The Start A1 is the standard low-profile starting block, designed for installation directly on the pool head wall. Adjustable handle and footrest position allow precise placement at the pool edge. The base integrates housing for timing equipment and loudspeaker devices, essential for competitive events. Anti-slip ABS tread in blue or white.

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Start B2 – High block, deck-level installation

The Start B2 is the high-version block for deck-level pools. Anchored to the pool surround, it includes a detachable mounting step with anti-slip tread to assist the athlete in mounting the platform. Handle and footrest are fully adjustable. Compatible with turning panel accessories for relay events.

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Start A/SX – Low block, competition grade

The Start A/SX is designed specifically for competition use and is manufactured entirely in AISI 316 stainless steel. Both the diving footrest and the rear heel rest are adjustable and feature a certified anti-slip surface in full compliance with international legislation. Low-profile installation on the pool head wall.

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Start A4 – Low block, extended configuration

The Start A4 extends the A-series with a wider footboard geometry suited to facilities that require additional athlete stability at the start. Available in the same AISI 316 / ABS specification, with adjustable handle position and full compatibility with competition timing systems.

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Materials, specifications and World Aquatics Compliance

Patentverwag starting blocks are specified and manufactured to meet the full requirements of World Aquatics (formerly FINA) competition standards.
The relevant parameters:

Maximum platform height: 0.75 m above the water surface (World Aquatics standard)
Platform surface: certified anti-slip, wet-performance tread (ABS or full stainless steel depending on model)
Base material: AISI 316 stainless steel — grade selected for its superior resistance to chlorine and pool chemicals compared to the more common AISI 304
Handle diameter: 45 mm, 2 mm wall thickness (AISI 304 stainless steel on ladder and handrail components)
Adjustable footrest and rear heel rest: both lockable, to accommodate individual athlete biomechanics
Colour options for ABS tread: blue or white

Patentverwag produces approximately 600–700 starting blocks per year across its full range. The ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, first certified in 2001, governs each stage of production – from material sourcing to final inspection before shipment.

Low block or high block: which configuration does your facility need?

The choice between low and high starting block configurations is determined by pool construction, not personal preference. It is one of the most common specification questions in aquatic facility procurement.

Low block (head-wall installation): used in pools where the deck is at a raised level relative to the water, and the head wall provides the mounting surface. The block platform sits flush with or slightly above the pool surround. Standard for older pool constructions and many international competition venues.

High block (deck-level installation): required for deck-level or ‘zero-entry’ pools, where the pool surround is level with the water surface. The block stands on the deck and is anchored to the pool structure. Includes a mounting step for athlete access.

If pool construction documentation is not immediately available, Patentverwag’s technical team can advise on the correct configuration based on facility drawings or site photographs.

Equip your swimming pool with starting blocks that meet competition standards

Patentverwag has supplied starting blocks to swimming facilities across Europe and internationally for over fifty years. The product range covers every standard pool configuration with a consistent material and compliance standard across all models.

Facility managers, architects and aquatic centre contractors can contact Patentverwag for product specifications, technical consultation and quotation. Response times are fast; the team is accustomed to working with project timelines and procurement processes.

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Swimming Pool Starting Blocks: solutions for competition and training