Sydney Sydney Swimming Pools
A sidney pool is a shallow, sea-fed swimming hole with a rock or reef in the middle that provides protection from the rough surf when the tide is out. They are found at many Sydney beaches, and they can be serene at low tide or choppy when the waves are rolling in. Some are cut straight from the rocky headlands on which they sit, as at Narrabeen, while others, like Wylies Baths, spectacularly hinge off the point of a peninsula.
Most of the pools are owned by councils, but a few are run as private enterprises, and there are even a couple that are women-only. They tend to have a shabbiness and old-school charm that appeals to some residents. The pools also offer a sense of community, and some have social activities like a movie night in summer or trout fishing in winter. They are often a great place to relax after a hard week at work.
Among the more unique swimming holes is the Palm Beach Rock Pool, an ocean pool in the wealthy enclave 25 miles north of downtown. The pool is 50 meters long and is where locals like 77-year-old John Carter teach a third generation of kids to swim. The pool is surrounded by the ocean and is a little slice of paradise.
A recent blog post by professional landscape photographer Ignacio Palacios got a lot of attention because it included images of almost every ocean rockpool in Sydney, including the one at Palm Beach. The photos of the pools are breathtaking, and Ignacio explains that they are a favorite subject for his photography because of their natural beauty and the way that light strikes them. He also offers some clever tips for anyone who wants to capture some beautiful rockpool shots of their own.
Ignacio also reveals some of his secrets, such as using a wide-angle lens and shooting at the right time of day when there are fewer people around. He also suggests trying different angles and colors when photographing the pools. The pool at Mona Vale, for example, is a little more challenging to shoot because it is located on the tip of a sand spit and between two beaches. The best approach, he says, is to shoot it when the tide is out and there aren’t any waves crashing on it.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused shortages in multiple industries, including lifeguarding. The manager of the Sydney Svarre Municipal Pool has a solution: She is offering free lifeguard training to anyone who wants it. She has already given five candidates three days to complete online training and three more days for in-person instruction on water rescue techniques, First Aid, and CPR. She hopes to have her roster set by May 27, allowing new hires to go on holiday as soon as they are certified.