Safety Requirements For Sydney Pools
Sydney pools are a popular backyard addition, especially during our hot Australian summers. They provide a great way to stay cool while socialising with friends and family, or simply relaxing in the sun. However, purchasing a pool comes with a lot of responsibility and a number of laws that need to be obeyed in order to ensure the safety of everyone using it. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these requirements, so that you can avoid any potential issues.
Sydney’s coastline is toothed with headlands that spike into the Pacific Ocean, frequently hammered by winter swells that travel up from the south and summer cyclone swells that trundle thousands of kilometers up from the north. Yet, amidst this often treacherous terrain, there are a handful of sheltered ocean pools scattered along the rocky shores. These public swimming pools host recreational and competitive swimming, learn-to-swim programs and treasured forms of wave-play.
They’re also venues for what Kate Rew, founder of Britain’s Outdoor Swimming Society, describes as ‘wild swimming’ – swimming in an environment less subject to human control than the sheltered waters of indoor and outdoor public pools. In these more convivial but respectful relationships with sea, beach and sky, encounters with bluebottles, slippery rocks, marine debris, sea urchins and seaweed are not uncommon, while swimmers often get washed out to sea.
During the depression of the 1930s, unemployment relief schemes allowed communities to acquire ocean pools that would otherwise have been unaffordable. The new facilities forged links with country communities when local amateur swimming clubs led the way in free, state-wide, learn-to-swim initiatives.
While rips still account for a substantial percentage of Australia’s surf rescues and coastal drownings, the walled enclosures of ocean pools offer the pleasure of immersion in lively seawater that’s sheltered from the treacherous swell-and-tide whirls that can overwhelm swimmers at nearby beaches.
If you’re thinking of installing a pool in your Sydney backyard, it’s important to consult with a qualified pool builder to ensure that your vision for the perfect pool will come to life. Research builders in your area and ask about their process, pricing structure and warranty options before choosing one to work with. Once you’ve found a builder, be sure to read their customer reviews and view some of their previous work before making any decisions. This will help you make the best decision possible and avoid costly mistakes down the line.