SkyMall Monday: Underwater Pogo Stick

by Mike Barish on

Spring is in the air and thoughts of warm weather, outdoor activities and water sports (not that kind of water sports, sicko) are starting to dance through our heads here at SkyMall Monday headquarters. Nothing beats frolicking in the ocean, lounging in a jacuzzi or enjoying fun and games in a pool. I’ve always been a fan of playing volleyball, basketball and freeze tag in the pool. Taking games played outside of the pool and dipping them in the water just makes everything more fun (See Floating Blackjack). If I could, I’d play UNO, Twister and Spin the Bottle in the pool. But some games just weren’t made to be played underwater. Knowing the difference between dry games and moist games is the key to avoiding painful friction between you and your partner. Games involving bouncing and bumping require moisture. And that’s why one classic game is screaming for us to just add water. Leave it to SkyMall to know when the time is right to get wet and wild by giving us the Underwater Pogo Stick.The problem with pogo sticking has always been the potential castration fear of falling. I’m all for hipping and hopping, but I’m less thrilled by the prospect of tripping and flopping. By bringing the pogo stick into the pool, the threat of broken bones and concussions has been replaced by the chance of drowning. And drowning is a much cooler way to die. If you’re going to die on a pogo stick, you best do so in a way that gets you featured on the front page of the newspaper and not on page F26. No one cares about F26.

I know what you’re thinking. “But, Mike, a pogo stick in the pool? That’s preposterous! Why not a Pogo Ball or a Sit ‘n Spin?” Well, first of all, Pogo Balls are too small for our adult asses. I’m not sure if you’ve looked in the mirror lately, but you’re not a kid anymore. Second of all, Sit ‘n Spin has always been an inappropriate name for a toy. Why not just name it Flippin’ Ya Off? But, since you insist on having the idea of pogo sticking in the water explained, I’ll indulge you. Let’s read the product description together, shall we?

This is the only pogo stick designed for use in swimming pools that allows you to perform a variety of waterborne stunts as you bounce off walls or bottoms. A rigid ball filled with water fits into the non-slip footrest, providing responsive push-off when compressed against a pool’s floor with your body weight, and enables you to splash effortlessly in shallower water and bound powerfully through deeper water.

Before anything can get wet, you must always start with a rigid ball (or two). When things get deeper, you need to be able to bound powerfully.

Everything is better when it’s wetter, so it’s about time we started moistening up our lives. Get bouncing, get jumping and, most importantly, get lubricated. Get the Underwater Pogo Stick.


Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.

Top ten extraordinary hotel pools of the world

by Scott Carmichael on

Hotel price comparison site Trivago, has compiled a list of the most amazing hotel pools in the world. Each of these pools has something amazing to offer – from an infinity edge pool overlooking the Hong Kong Harbor, to a secluded resort pool nestled between the Arizona Boynton Canyon mountains – these are truly the most extraordinary hotel pools in the world.

The top ten lineup is:

  1. Intercontinental, Hong Kong
  2. Adler Dolomiti Spa & Resort, St. Ulrich
  3. Ubud Hanging Gardens, Ubud
  4. Gran Hotel La Florida, Barcelona
  5. Cavo Tagoo, Mykanos
  6. Rogner Bad Blumau, Steiermark
  7. Rio Calma, Fuerteventura
  8. Golden Nugget, Las Vegas
  9. Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa, Sedona
  10. Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

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SkyMall Monday: Floating Blackjack

by Mike Barish on

It’s a new year and time for new SkyMall Monday goodness! Are you an avid gambler who can quit anytime but who chooses not to and sees nothing wrong with gambling 22 hours a day? Do enjoy gambling even when pursuing other leisure activities? Do you like standing still in large bodies of water? Well, my friends, then the Floating Blackjack Game is the product for you!

Sure, you could certainly jump into a pool and play volleyball, float on a raft or, I don’t know, swim. But would you be making money? No (unless, of course, you’re betting on who will win said volleyball game and/or butterfly relay). What better way to kill a gorgeous afternoon than to stand in one place in the pool and play a card game? And I’m sure the kids will have no problem following your instructions not to swim near the table or splash daddy and his lady friends.

As always, no one can sell a product better than the folks at SkyMall, so let’s take a look at the product description:

Guaranteed to provide hours of enjoyment in your swimming pool or Jacuzzi, the kit includes everything you need for a rousing game of blackjack…

What better place to rest a card table than a pool with jets that create constant and aggressive water movement? And there will certainly be no negative effects on your body from spending a couple of hours in a heated Jacuzzi playing blackjack. Heck, why not drop in a few bouillon cubes while you’re at it?

Not convinced that blackjack can be played in the pool? Well, I dug deeper (because I’m a journalist) and explored the official website of this fine product.

There I learned that these are the “world’s first patented playing cards that are able to be played and shuffled in water without the cards sticking together or destroyed by water.” Sure, it’s reassuring to learn that the cards won’t be destroyed by playing with them near the water. But it’s mind-blowing to learn that you can SHUFFLE them “in water.” Not just near water. Not only adjacent to water. Not simply juxtaposed to water. IN WATER! Look, if you can shuffle cards underwater, then I’ll let you play any game you want in the pool. Just keep your freakish hands away from me!

Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.

Floating Swimming Pool Spotted in Germany

by Justin Glow on

Check out this floating swimming pool that was spotted on the Spree river in Berlin, Germany, where temperatures have been unseasonably warm. It’s called Badeschiff (“bathing ship”), and it’s an old barge that’s been converted into a public swimming hole. Unfortunately the Spree is much too polluted to swim in, hence the need for a floating pool.

I really like this idea, as swimming in lakes, rivers, and oceans isn’t my favorite thing in the entire world. I mean, I jump in if i have to avoid looking like a wuss for abstaining, but I’d much rather swim in a pool. It would be especially neat if the floating pool had a glass bottom, or if it was attached to a working ship so that it could be transported to different places.


During the off season, the pool is covered.

Update: As of July 4, there’s one in Brooklyn, NY.