Every Spikeball group has hit the same wall. The sand gets too hot, the group drifts into the water, and the net stays behind on the beach. The game stops because the equipment cannot follow.
The Spikeball SpikeBuoy Water Set exists to remove that wall. It floats the net, holds it in place, and keeps the rally going in water. Here is what it actually is, what it is not, and how to get it set up so the game holds.
What the SpikeBuoy actually is
The SpikeBuoy is an accessory kit, not a standalone game. It converts a Spikeball set you already own into a floating net. Foam floats slide onto the legs of the set to keep the rim riding on the surface, and an anchor bag hangs below to keep the whole thing from drifting away mid rally.
That distinction matters before you buy. The kit ships with the flotation and anchoring pieces in a drawstring carry bag. The net, rim, and balls come from your regular Spikeball set. If you do not own a set yet, plan on buying both.
At Great Call Athletics the SpikeBuoy runs $34.99, which makes it one of the cheapest ways to double where your existing set can go.
How the setup works
Setup is short. Assemble your Spikeball set the way you normally would on land. Slide the floats onto the legs. Fill the anchor bag on site with sand or rocks, clip it beneath the set, and walk it out to your depth. The floats keep the net at playing height on the surface while the weighted bag holds position underneath.
The anchor is the part casual buyers underestimate. A floating net with no anchor becomes a chase. Every gust and every wave relocates the game, and the group spends more time swimming after the set than playing on it. Weight the bag properly and the net stays where you put it, serve after serve.
Teardown reverses the process in a few minutes. Empty the anchor bag before you pack up. Sand stays at the lake, and the kit goes back in its drawstring bag light.
Pool play and lake play are different games
In a pool, the water is flat and the depth is known. The floating net turns the deep end into a contained arena. Rallies are faster than open water because nobody fights current, and the wall gives you a natural out of bounds. This is the version younger players tend to get the most out of, since falling means splashing instead of hitting turf.
On a lake, the anchor earns its place. Pick a spot with a firm bottom and water between waist and chest deep. Shallower than that and diving for a ball stops being fun. Deeper and players tread water instead of moving to the ball, and the rally quality drops. Calm coves beat open water. Wind and boat wake move both the net and the players, so the more protected the spot, the better the game.
Either way, the physics of the game change in water. Footwork slows down, so positioning matters more than speed. Sets need to be higher and more deliberate. Groups that treat water Spikeball as its own game, rather than a slower copy of the land game, enjoy it more.
Building the full floating setup
If you are starting from zero, the pairing looks like this. The Spikeball Standard Set is the full size, tournament grade base and the natural partner for the SpikeBuoy. Add the floats and anchor kit and the same set covers backyard, beach, and water.
Budget minded buyers can look at the Spikeball Weekender Set for land play at a lower price, at $74.99 against $119.00 for the Standard. Balls, replacement packs, and the rest of the lineup live in the Spikeball collection.
One practical note for water sessions: bring more than one ball. A missed shot on land rolls a few feet. A missed shot on a lake starts a swim. A spare ball in the anchor bag keeps the game moving while someone retrieves the runaway.
Is it worth it
For pool owners and lake regulars, yes, and the math is simple. Thirty five dollars extends equipment you already own into an entire second environment. The kit packs small, sets up in minutes, and does not wear out the way inflatable pool games do.
For groups that play twice a summer on grass, it is optional. The SpikeBuoy rewards people who are already near water. If your set lives in a garage two hours from the nearest lake and you do not have a pool, put the money toward better balls or a second set instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play Spikeball in water?
Yes, with flotation. A standard set sinks its legs and sits too low once the bottom drops away. The SpikeBuoy kit adds leg floats to keep the net at playing height on the surface and an anchor to hold position, which makes lake and pool play work the way land play does.
Does the SpikeBuoy come with a net and balls?
No. The SpikeBuoy is an accessory kit with the flotation pieces, the anchor bag, and a carry bag. It attaches to a Spikeball set you already own. If you are starting fresh, buy a full size set such as the Standard Set along with it.
How deep should the water be for floating Spikeball?
Waist to chest deep is the sweet spot for most groups. Players can still move their feet and jump for plays, but falls and dives land in water instead of on a lake bed. In a pool, the deep end works as long as everyone in the game is a comfortable swimmer.
Will the net drift away in a lake?
Not if you use the anchor. The kit includes a weight bag you fill with sand or rocks on site, and it hangs below the set to hold position. Skip the anchor and wind will walk the net across the lake mid rally, so filling it properly is the one setup step not to shortcut.
Is the SpikeBuoy worth it for a pool?
If the pool gets regular use, yes. It turns the deep end into a permanent game station for $34.99, it stores small, and there is nothing inflatable to puncture. It is one of the few pool games that adults and kids compete at on even terms.
The water is not the end of the court, it is the second one. Get the SpikeBuoy Water Set and bring the game with you.
