Locally the prevailing feeling is that pebble-tec is good in and out of water, but pebble-sheen (finers, smoother pebbles embedded in plaster) is not OK.

Several local pool companies suggested we not do a beach entry because it becomes a bird bath and the by-products of birds introduce a lot of bio-stuff for the sanitizer to deal with.

One local public pool has a beach entry made from the rubberized stuff they use on playgrounds. It is AWESOME, soft on the feet and little ones don't get hurt when they fall. Only time will tell if it hold up. I have no idea what it cost.