As temperatures heat up in Sydney, many residents have turned to aquatic centers as a means of cooling off. With temperatures reaching 35C in some parts, local councils are offering free public access at inner-city pools so as many people as possible can take advantage of being immersed in water and avoid the scorching sun.
Since their establishment in the 1860s, Sydney’s iconic ocean pools have been an integral part of life in Sydney and offer safe and clean swimming and recreational opportunities. Locals refer to them as “sdy pools”, providing safe alternative to overcrowded and dangerous surf beaches that often feature rip currents and strong waves.
Ocean pools were originally constructed to offer bathers relief from harmful UV rays without resorting to sunscreen or taking preventative measures, and the salt water added health benefits like hydration and buoyancy. Although initially designed as recreational spaces for swimmers to enjoy swimming laps in, ocean pools have since been utilized by Olympic-caliber swimmers for training as well as being some of the most beautiful swimming spots in Sydney.
Many of the oldest swimming pools still boast their Victorian elegance and are in good condition, while others may have been updated or modernised over the years to reflect changing tastes – without ever jeopardizing their heritage status.
A sdy pool is a type of natural rock pool formed in the edge of a rocky coastline by waves or currents, often featuring steep entry/exit points with shallow waters for entry/exit; others are larger with sandy bottoms sloping downwards from their edges; often these natural formations are surrounded by cliffs or reefs for an impressive natural setting.
Sydney offers some of the world’s finest swimming pools along its iconic coastal walks, such as Bondi to Coogee. Corrugated Iron Pools in Balmain nestle beneath its iconic sandstone cliffs while McIver’s Ladies Baths has provided women and children alike an oasis since 1880s.
North Sydney Olympic Park’s pool is one of its signature swimming venues, having opened in 1952 as one of Australia’s premier aquatic venues. Home to numerous Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists such as Murray Rose (Australian 440 yards freestyle record in 1956 before going on to a successful career both as an Olympian and front cover film star in America) it boasts one of Australia’s most impressive aquatic settings.
Social media and instant gratification make it easy to forget the value of heritage-listed swimming pools in urban environments, but developing greater appreciation of them could help preserve them for years to come and foster more realistic evaluations of their benefits, risks and heritage status.