Maxi Rib construction
Reinforced structural ribs let a Compass shell sit above-ground, semi-inground, or on sloping blocks that a traditional fibreglass pool cannot handle.
Maxi Rib is a version of the Compass shell with additional structural ribs moulded into the exterior of the pool wall. Those ribs give the shell much greater lateral rigidity — enough that the pool can be self-supporting without needing full backfill pressure to hold it in shape.
It looks identical from the swim side. The extra structure is on the outside of the shell, buried in the ground or hidden behind cladding.
The short version
- Reinforced structural ribs moulded into the shell exterior.
- Suitable for above-ground, semi-inground and sloping-block installs.
- Avoids the cost and footprint of a full retaining wall.
- Same interior finish as a standard Compass pool.
- Enables architectural features like infinity edges on sloped sites.
Technical specifications
Why it matters on the Mid-North-Coast
Half the blocks in our region sit on a slope. On a level block a standard fibreglass shell is fine — you dig a hole, drop the shell, backfill. On a sloping block, one side wants to sit deeper than the other. A standard shell needs a full retaining wall to make the site level before you install. That is expensive, ugly and eats yard space.
Maxi Rib lets us install into the natural slope. The shell sits partly or fully above ground on the low side, held by the reinforced walls. We finish the exposed side with natural stone cladding or decking, so the pool becomes an architectural feature — not a problem to hide.
Real jobs we have done with it
Our SPASA Gold-award X-Trainer at Johns River is a Maxi Rib install with an infinity edge on the low side. Several of our Sanctuary and X-Trainer builds around Bonny Hills, Wauchope and Kempsey use Maxi Rib to handle site slope.
See the showcase for details of each — every above-ground and sloping-site build we have delivered uses this same core technology.
Pool ranges with this feature
Maxi Rib construction — questions we hear most
What does Maxi Rib actually do?
It's a version of the Compass shell with additional structural ribs moulded into the exterior wall. Those ribs give the shell enough lateral rigidity to be self-supporting — so it doesn't need full backfill pressure to hold its shape. That opens up above-ground, semi-inground and sloping-site installs that a standard fibreglass shell can't handle.
Do I need Maxi Rib for a normal in-ground pool?
No — on a level block a standard Compass shell is perfect. Maxi Rib is only quoted when the site needs it: sloping blocks, elevated pool designs, rooftop installs, retaining-wall-heavy layouts, or where the client wants a partially or fully above-ground pool as a design feature.
Does the pool look different with Maxi Rib?
From the swim side, no — the ribs are on the outside of the shell. On above-ground installs, the exposed shell wall is finished with natural stone cladding, timber decking or rendered feature walls, so the ribbed structure is hidden. From the swim side and from inside the pool it looks identical to any other Compass.
Does Maxi Rib save money on retaining walls?
Yes — significantly, on sloping blocks. Instead of building a full retaining wall to level the site before installing a standard shell, we install the Maxi Rib shell directly into the natural slope with part of the shell sitting above ground. The exposed side becomes an architectural feature, not a hidden problem.
Which Compass shapes are available with Maxi Rib?
Maxi Rib is available on Sanctuary, X-Trainer, Vogue and Contemporary shapes. Plunge, Fastlane and the Express range are configured for standard in-ground installation.
Can Maxi Rib pools have an infinity edge?
Yes — infinity edges are a natural fit for Maxi Rib installs on sloping sites. Our SPASA Gold-award X-Trainer at Johns River is a Maxi Rib install with an infinity edge on the low side of a naturally sloping block. It's one of our most-photographed builds.
Still have a question? Ask us in the quote form or call 0408 846 333.