While strolling along Sydney’s stunning beaches, Meegan Zen stumbled upon an ocean pool that got her wondering. What was the history behind these beautiful pools? How were they created, and why aren’t more being built today?
The answer to these questions lies in the city’s rich cultural heritage, which was influenced by European colonisation and Aboriginal culture. In the early 19th century, both recreational and competitive swimmers wanted a safe place to do laps, away from strong waves and the risk of shark attacks. The first ocean pools were established in the 1890s by men’s swimming clubs and in 1906, women formed their own clubs. These clubs organised fundraising and community work to build pools at the eastern beaches at Maroubra, Coogee, and on northern beaches at Whale Beach, North Curl Curl, and Queenscliff.
Some of the pools were tidal, while others were man-made. The latter required significant work, so local councils began providing funds for unemployment relief schemes. This allowed unemployed workers to help build the pools and earn an income. As the Depression era ended in the 1930s, funding became available again, and more ocean pools were built, including Mahon Pool at Maroubra, and on northern beaches at Whale Beach, and North Curl Curl.
Today, most of the surviving ocean pools are managed by local councils and are available to the public for use. They are popular with both families and individuals, offering a chance to relax in the sunshine and enjoy some quality time on Sydney’s spectacular beaches. Some of the pools are also great locations for picnics and events, such as children’s swim clinics or yoga classes.
Besides the benefits of ocean swimming, these pools also provide important aquatic facilities for people with disabilities and other health issues. They are also great places for people to socialise and meet up with friends and neighbours.
When choosing a sidney pool builder, make sure you check their credentials. Any building work in NSW costing more than $5,000 must be carried out by a licenced pool builder. Licences are issued by NSW Fair Trading, and your pool builder should be prepared to show you their licence. The name on the licence should match the name on the contract for the works.
In addition to checking your pool builder’s credentials, it’s also worth having a geotechnical survey done before starting construction on your swimming pool. This will show any rocks or unstable soil that may interfere with your pool installation. If necessary, your pool builder should be able to recommend a professional geotechnical consultant.
To find out more about what to look for in a good sidney pool, visit this website. You can even ask your pool builder to show you examples of their previous work. This will help you decide if they are the right fit for your project. Moreover, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your pool is being built by a reputable company with years of experience.