Whether it’s to cool off, exercise, or for therapeutic purposes, owning a Sydney pool can be incredibly rewarding. However, owning a pool also comes with certain responsibilities that you must abide by in order to ensure that it is safe for use. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the standards that all Sydney pools must abide by to make sure that they are safe for everyone who uses them.
While it’s well known that Sydney boasts some of the world’s most iconic architecture and scenery, many people don’t realise that the city has a unique pool culture as well. In fact, Sydney has more ocean pools than any other city in the world, making it the ideal place to soak up the summer sun and relax by the water.
Ocean pools are public seawater swimming enclosures sited on the rocky areas of Sydney’s surf beaches. They allow for the enjoyment of lively saltwater while providing a degree of protection from the powerful rips that rip through most surf beaches and are responsible for so many rescues and coastal deaths. Unlike tidal pools, which sit in the sheltered waters of harbours, bays and rivers, ocean pools offer a true immersion into the seascape and beach atmosphere that Kate Rew, founder of Britain’s Outdoor Swimming Society, describes as ‘wild swimming’.
Sydney’s spectacular array of ocean pools is a testament to the city’s long and proud history of aquatic pursuits, which have helped define its character. From the sand and sky of Bondi to the crashing waves of Cronulla, these venues encourage all kinds of leisure activities around the sea, including recreational and competitive swimming, learn-to-swim programs, and treasured forms of wave-play.
The city’s earliest ocean pools are evidence of a social revolution that took hold in Australia during the interwar period. After men’s enlistments for war service depleted the ranks of local surf clubs, ladies’ swimming clubs took over some of the crowded beachfront areas at Sydney’s northern and eastern beaches. The ocean pools were then established to allow women to continue their club competitions, while also ensuring that beach safety could be maintained.
The South Sydney and North Narrabeen pools are the best examples of these nascent female-only bathing areas. Designed by architect and landscape designer John Horbury Hunt, the pools are both an architectural marvel and an example of community activism and social responsibility. They occupy a prime position on some of Sydney’s most desirable beaches and are often filled to capacity with a variety of bathers.
In addition to swimming, these pools are popular for family outings and picnics, with their shallow depths suitable for children. They are also an excellent option for those looking to improve their health, as the warm water of the ocean pools is great for your heart, lungs, bones, and muscles. The Sydney area is renowned for its mild to hot air temperatures and moderate to pleasant water temperatures, thanks to the East Australian Current that flows through the city’s coastal waters.