weight of leaves and still will sink it below the water a bit...the water bags (i'm using doubles) will keep it from sinking right down..that's what i'm told anyway..that the net will stretch some. remember, your net should be sized so it hangs on the edges anyway so there will be some roof for it to give..you don't want a mesh net taught across the top of the pool. if well below pool level (say 2 feet or so in my case) it will be shaded from the wind for the most part.