Sydney is widely considered one of the top swim destinations, boasting both beaches and pools aplenty. Indeed, Sydney holds the record number of ocean pools at 35; these man-made seawater swimming pools provide protection for swimmers when waves are strong or winds cold – they’re an iconic Sydney feature! The pools can offer serene low tide swimming experiences or be quite lively when tide rises higher – or both at once!
Sydney suburbs boast numerous private pools, from those set within lush parklands to urban streets. Many were recently renovated or even named after local icons like cricket players or Olympic champions. Michael Easton of Sydney discovered an app called Swimply which allows users looking for somewhere to swim connect with people willing to rent out their backyard pool for rent.
Easton has experienced swimming at over 60 suburban pools, yet he finds it hard to select his favourite. Swimming water brings comforting memories from being pregnant; in-utero even. Easton finds swimming as a great way to destress from busy lives: “For me, swimming provides me a break from daily grind”.
Sydney Councils have taken steps to encourage people to use public pools by offering netted saltwater pools free to residents for use from mid-October on. These will offer relief to residents unable to get out onto the surf or indoor pools with chlorination levels above 20 percent; UNSW epidemiologist Marylouise McLaws notes that supervision must be provided and people will need to double vaccinate in order to ensure their own safety in these pools.
Some may worry that the reopening of Sydney pools will lead to an outbreak of COVID-19; however, hospitals in Sydney have reported low risks of infection. Regardless of these fears, however, their return could prove economic boon for Sydney; Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre opened this week while Parramatta Olympic pool will open later on; both designed by same architectural team with sleek modern aesthetic.
These new pools may be welcome additions to Sydney’s aquatic facilities, yet their luxurious exteriors mask an underlying message about class privilege in Sydney. From Irish immigrant’s shock upon first attending that both millionaires and paupers share one pool to an unflappable swim teacher being lectured on lanes’ directionality etiquette, The Pool illustrates an entrenched Sydney habit of giving public benefits only to those already possessing them.