Some swimming pools are built simply to hold water.
Others become part of a family’s story.
The Buster Crabbe AquaSport belongs in the second category.
For decades, homeowners have chosen the AquaSport because it offers something many pools simply cannot—a unique combination of strength, flexibility, and design freedom. Whether it’s installed above ground, partially recessed into a hillside, or surrounded by custom decking and landscaping, the AquaSport transforms from a swimming pool into the centerpiece of an outdoor living space.
At Pool Shell Pros, we’re proud to offer the complete line of Buster Crabbe swimming pools. While the company builds outstanding traditional above-ground pools in both steel and aluminum rolled-wall models, the AquaSport has earned a special place in the industry. Ask experienced installers about premium semi-inground pools, and chances are the AquaSport will be one of the first names mentioned.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this remarkable pool system so unique.
Who Was Buster Crabbe?
Before becoming one of the most recognizable names in backyard swimming pools, Buster Crabbe was already an American sports legend.
Born Clarence Linden “Buster” Crabbe Jr., he developed a passion for competitive swimming at an early age. His dedication led him to the 1928 Olympic Games, where he earned a bronze medal. Four years later, at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he captured the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle, cementing his place among America’s greatest swimmers.
His athletic success opened another door.
Hollywood quickly recognized his charisma and athletic build, casting him as some of the biggest adventure heroes of the era. Moviegoers knew him as Tarzan, Flash Gordon, and Buck Rogers, characters that symbolized courage, adventure, and strength.
Years later, those same qualities became associated with swimming pools bearing his name. While today’s products are manufactured by a modern company, the Buster Crabbe name continues to represent quality, reliability, and a passion for backyard swimming.
💡 Pool Professor
Many younger homeowners recognize the pool brand long before they realize Buster Crabbe was an Olympic gold medalist and one of Hollywood’s earliest action stars. It’s a fascinating piece of American history that still lives on every time someone installs one of these pools.
More Than Just Another Pool
If you’ve been researching swimming pools, you’ve probably noticed something.
Many above-ground pools look almost identical.
Most use a rolled wall, similar support systems, and similar installation methods. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that—traditional above-ground pools remain one of the best values in backyard recreation.
But the AquaSport was created to do something different.
Instead of asking homeowners to choose between an affordable above-ground pool and an expensive custom inground pool, the AquaSport was designed to bridge the gap between those two worlds.
It gives homeowners the opportunity to create a truly customized backyard while maintaining installation flexibility that many traditional inground pools simply cannot match.
Why the AquaSport Became a Legend
Products don’t earn legendary status because of flashy advertising.
They earn it by performing year after year.
The AquaSport has built a reputation through decades of successful installations across North America. Homeowners recommend them to friends. Installers continue to work with them because they understand the system. Families pass them down from one generation to the next.
That’s not something you can manufacture with marketing.
It’s earned.
One reason the AquaSport continues to enjoy such a loyal following is that it doesn’t force homeowners into a single design.
Every backyard is different.
Every family has different priorities.
The AquaSport adapts to both.
The King of Semi-Inground Pools
Around Pool Shell Pros, you’ll often hear us refer to the AquaSport as the king of semi-inground pools.
That’s our opinion after years of working with different pool systems.
Why do we say that?
Because the AquaSport wasn’t designed to be a basic above-ground pool that’s simply buried halfway into the ground.
It was engineered to become whatever your backyard needs it to be.
Want a clean above-ground installation?
No problem.
Planning a beautiful semi-inground pool with composite decking wrapping around three sides?
Perfect.
Dreaming of natural stone retaining walls, waterfalls, and lush landscaping that makes the pool appear completely integrated into your yard?
That’s exactly the type of project where the AquaSport shines.
The finished result often surprises people.
Guests walk into the backyard expecting to see a traditional above-ground pool.
Instead, they discover an outdoor living space that looks professionally designed from the ground up.
🦀 Carl’s Complaint
“Every summer somebody tells me they buried a regular above-ground pool and now they’re disappointed it doesn’t look like the pictures they saw online. The AquaSport was made for premium installations. That’s a completely different conversation.”
What Makes the AquaSport Different?
One of the AquaSport’s defining features is something most people never notice after the project is complete.
Its structure.
Unlike traditional rolled-wall pools, the AquaSport is assembled using interlocking extruded aluminum panels.
Only the AquaSport uses this construction method within the Buster Crabbe lineup.
The company’s traditional above-ground pools continue to use proven rolled-wall construction, available in galvanized steel or rolled aluminum depending on the model. Those pools remain excellent choices for families looking for dependable, affordable backyard fun.
The AquaSport simply serves a different purpose.
Its modular aluminum panel system gives builders greater flexibility when creating premium installations and allows the pool to become part of a complete outdoor design rather than standing apart from it.
Rather than thinking of one system as “better” than the other, it’s more accurate to think of them as different tools built for different homeowners.
Built Around Your Backyard
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is choosing a pool before thinking about the backyard.
The pool should complement the property—not fight against it.
The AquaSport gives designers and homeowners tremendous freedom because it works beautifully with:
- Composite decks
- Wood decks
- Stamped concrete
- Paver patios
- Outdoor kitchens
- Fire pits
- Pergolas
- Shade structures
- Landscape lighting
- Decorative retaining walls
- Rock waterfalls
- Tropical landscaping
Instead of asking, “How do I make my yard fit this pool?” the AquaSport encourages homeowners to ask, “How do I want my backyard to look?”
That’s a very different approach.
🐢 Terry’s Take
A backyard isn’t finished when the pool goes in. That’s actually where the fun begins. Some of the most beautiful AquaSport projects we’ve seen started with a simple installation and grew into complete outdoor living spaces over several years.
Perfect for Challenging Properties
Not every backyard is perfectly flat.
Some have steep slopes.
Others have walk-out basements.
Some have elevation changes that make traditional inground construction expensive.
The AquaSport offers tremendous flexibility in these situations.
Rather than spending enormous amounts of money reshaping the property, homeowners can often incorporate the existing landscape into the overall design.
That’s one reason builders continue recommending the AquaSport for difficult building sites.
Instead of forcing the property to conform to the pool, the pool becomes part of the property’s natural character.
A Pool That Doesn’t Have to Look Like an Above-Ground Pool
This may be one of the AquaSport’s biggest strengths.
Finished correctly, many people would never guess they’re looking at a panel pool.
Wrap it with composite decking.
Add natural stone.
Plant ornamental grasses and shrubs.
Install landscape lighting.
Finish it with a waterfall or grotto.
The pool disappears into the overall design.
That’s the difference between installing a swimming pool…
…and creating a backyard destination.
Above Ground, Semi-Inground, or Inground—You Decide
One of the biggest reasons the AquaSport has remained popular for so many years is its incredible versatility.
Unlike many pool systems that are designed for only one type of installation, the AquaSport gives homeowners options. Depending on your property, your budget, local building codes, and the manufacturer’s installation requirements, the AquaSport can become almost any style of pool you envision.
Traditional Above-Ground Installation
Some homeowners simply want a beautiful above-ground pool with premium construction and room to add a deck later.
The AquaSport performs exceptionally well in this role while giving you the option to expand your backyard over time.
Semi-Inground Installation
This is where the AquaSport has built its reputation.
By partially recessing the pool into the ground, homeowners can create dramatic outdoor living spaces that blend naturally into the landscape.
A semi-inground AquaSport pairs beautifully with:
- Composite decking
- Multi-level decks
- Natural stone patios
- Retaining walls
- Outdoor kitchens
- Covered patios
- Fire features
- Waterfalls
- Decorative landscaping
The finished project feels less like an above-ground pool and more like a custom backyard resort.
Inground Installation
When installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications and local building requirements, the AquaSport can also be used for inground applications.
For many homeowners, this creates an attractive alternative to traditional concrete construction while maintaining the flexibility that makes the AquaSport unique.
Designed for Backyard Living
Years ago, families installed pools simply to cool off during the summer.
Today’s backyards have evolved.
They’re places where families gather, birthdays are celebrated, football games are watched on outdoor televisions, and evenings end around a fire pit.
The pool is no longer the only attraction.
It’s the centerpiece.
The AquaSport works beautifully because it integrates naturally into that larger vision.
Imagine walking into your backyard and seeing:
- A large composite deck leading to the water
- Comfortable lounge seating
- A pergola providing afternoon shade
- A stone waterfall flowing into the pool
- Landscape lighting illuminating the patio
- A built-in grilling station
- Decorative planters and tropical landscaping
That’s the type of backyard the AquaSport makes possible.
💡 Pool Professor
When planning a new pool, don’t just think about the water. Think about where people will sit, eat, relax, and spend time together. The best pool projects are really outdoor living projects.
A Great Choice for Owner-Builders
Many Pool Shell Pros customers enjoy acting as their own general contractor.
Instead of hiring one company to complete everything, they coordinate excavation, electrical work, plumbing, concrete, and landscaping themselves.
The AquaSport is well suited for this approach because each project can be completed in logical stages.
Some homeowners complete the pool installation one season and build the deck the following year.
Others install the pool first and gradually add landscaping, lighting, and outdoor living features over time.
This phased approach allows families to spread the investment over several years while still enjoying the pool.
Built for Decades of Summer Memories
Every swimming pool eventually becomes more than construction materials.
It becomes the place where children learn to swim.
Where grandchildren visit every summer.
Where graduation parties, family reunions, and Fourth of July cookouts take place.
Those moments matter.
That’s why investing in a quality pool matters.
The AquaSport has earned its reputation because homeowners know they’re investing in a pool designed to provide years of enjoyment when properly installed and maintained.
🦀 Carl’s Complaint
“People spend weeks picking the perfect pool liner, then forget to budget for landscaping. Trust me—flowers are cheaper than replacing buyer’s remorse.”
The Rest of the Buster Crabbe Family
While the AquaSport may be the flagship product, it’s certainly not the only excellent pool Buster Crabbe offers.
The company also manufactures traditional above-ground pools that continue to provide outstanding value for families across the country.
Depending on the model, these pools feature either:
- Galvanized steel rolled walls
- Rolled aluminum walls
Grande Milano Oval
Grande Milano Round
Nemo Round
Avatar Oval
Avatar Round
Both construction methods have served homeowners well for decades and remain an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable backyard pool.
Available in a variety of round and oval sizes, these pools are perfect for:
- First-time pool owners
- Growing families
- Seasonal recreation
- Budget-conscious homeowners
Just because they aren’t an AquaSport doesn’t mean they’re a compromise.
They’re simply designed with different priorities in mind.
🐢 Terry’s Take
Every summer we meet families who are convinced they need the biggest, most expensive pool available. After talking through their plans, many realize a traditional above-ground pool is exactly what they need. The goal isn’t to sell the most expensive pool—it’s to help people buy the right one.
Which Pool Is Right for You?
At Pool Shell Pros, we ask a few simple questions.
How do you plan to use the pool?
How long do you expect to stay in your home?
What’s your budget?
What does your backyard look like today—and what do you want it to become?
If you’re looking for an affordable way to enjoy your backyard this summer, one of Buster Crabbe’s traditional above-ground pools may be the perfect solution.
If you’re dreaming about creating an outdoor showpiece with decks, stonework, landscaping, and custom design features, the AquaSport deserves serious consideration.
Neither answer is wrong.
They’re simply different paths to the same destination—making memories with family and friends.
Why Choose Pool Shell Pros?
Buying a swimming pool isn’t just about comparing prices.
It’s about working with someone who understands the differences between the available options.
At Pool Shell Pros, we proudly offer:
- Buster Crabbe AquaSport aluminum panel pools
- Traditional Buster Crabbe above-ground pools
- Fiberglass pool shells
- Owner-builder guidance
- Professional installation assistance
- Honest advice based on your goals—not sales quotas
We believe an informed customer makes the best customer.
Our job is to help you understand your choices so you can invest with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AquaSport an above-ground pool?
It can be installed above ground, but the AquaSport is best known for semi-inground applications. Depending on the installation and local requirements, it may also be suitable for certain inground installations.
What makes the AquaSport unique?
The AquaSport uses an extruded aluminum panel system, while traditional Buster Crabbe above-ground pools use rolled-wall construction made from either galvanized steel or rolled aluminum, depending on the model.
Can I build a deck around an AquaSport?
Absolutely. In fact, many homeowners choose the AquaSport specifically because it works so well with composite decking, patios, retaining walls, and custom landscaping.
Is the AquaSport a good choice for sloped yards?
YES! Its flexibility makes it an excellent option for many properties where elevation changes would make other pool types more challenging or expensive.
Does Pool Shell Pros sell traditional Buster Crabbe above-ground pools too?
SHELL YEAH! We proudly offer both the AquaSport aluminum panel system and the complete line of traditional Buster Crabbe above-ground pools.
Can I install an AquaSport myself?
Many homeowners act as owner-builders and coordinate the installation, while others hire experienced professionals. The best approach depends on your experience, the complexity of the project, and local building requirements.
How long does an AquaSport last?
With proper installation, maintenance, and water care, an AquaSport is designed to provide many years of dependable family enjoyment.
Ready to Build the Backyard You’ve Always Wanted?
Whether you’re looking for the legendary Buster Crabbe AquaSport or one of the company’s trusted traditional above-ground pools, Pool Shell Pros can help you find the perfect fit.
We’ll answer your questions, help you compare your options, and guide you through every step of the buying process—from selecting the right model to planning your installation.
If you’re ready to transform your backyard into a place where family and friends will gather for years to come, we’re ready to help.
Contact Pool Shell Pros today 📞 855 44 SHELL and let’s start planning your dream backyard.
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