When you think of Sydney’s iconic rock pools, the first thing that comes to mind is swimming: a summer of splashing around, a day spent lazing on a towel surrounded by saltwater and sun. And yet, these secluded, shallow enclaves are more than just a place to cool off in the searing summer heat: they also play a critical role in Australia’s national identity, as a symbol of its egalitarian ethos.
The country’s most populous city has some 40 traditional public 50-meter pools (New York and Los Angeles have one each), but it’s the smaller suburban rock pools that have really captured the Australian imagination. In fact, they’re so important to the nation that a dedicated Instagram account exists for them—more than 68 of them, in fact. The project’s leader, Michael Easton, has swum in them all and has even started to document their history, including the quirky details that make each unique, on his site.
These pools are more than just a way to swim or to have fun in the sun: they are an essential part of our national culture, writes journalist Therese Spruhan, who recently published a book, Rock Pools of Sydney. They’re an emblem of the country’s psyche, she argues, a reminder of “a more relaxed and easy-going time, before suburbia took hold.”
But, as Spruhan points out, the pools’ future is uncertain. Many are struggling with funding, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated staffing difficulties. In some cases, pools have had to close or shorten their operating hours as a result of lifeguard shortages. The American Lifeguard Association estimates that lifeguards’ roles are among the hardest positions to fill, due to their relatively low pay, often unfavorable working conditions and, in the case of pools, the risky nature of the job.
One of the biggest challenges facing a modern pool is its environmental sustainability. A pool needs to be sanitized daily, and this can use a lot of chemicals, which can lead to algae blooms and water pollution. A pool can also be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, which can then enter the water supply. The goal is to minimize the number of chemicals used, while also reducing or eliminating pollution and bacterial growth.
This is why many are opting for fiberglass pools over concrete. These newer models have a smooth surface that’s easier to maintain, require fewer chemicals and don’t raise the pH of the water. They’re also more energy-efficient than older, cement pools, which can waste up to a third of their electricity each year.
At North Sydney Olympic Pool, where Tink is the councillor in charge of the redevelopment, the problem seems to have begun when a $10 million government grant meant for regional women’s sports was redirected to the inner-city site. That windfall shifted the scope of the project, she says, and threw the council’s governance into disarray.