These are living, breathing things. Each pool shimmers as I swim across it, then settles and stills. I pop a blue porpoise on it and bid it farewell for, as you well know, I rarely return. The maps are simple to read. Here’s what the colours refer to:
Blue porpoise = conquered pool
Red porpoise = unconquered pool
Black porpoise = a deceased pool,
i.e, one that is conquered, but no longer exists. Tragic, no?
Purple porpoise = a Top 5 pool
Brown porpoise = a Not Top 5 pool
Gold porpoise = one of the Top 5 unconquered pools in the world (found on the International map)
Where it all began (and still continues, obviously)
Naturally, includes my hometown, Sydney – surely the swimming capital of the world with over 130 spectacular ocean pools, harbour pools, river pools, land-lubbing chlorine and ozone pools, indoor and outdoor.
But there’s plenty more in this state to consider. A great pool-building craze swept our country after the war and practically every town in NSW has a pool. One by one, they will be mine.
A huge state with a ton of pools in some of the most isolated towns in Australia.
Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast are packed full of pools and I’ve made a decent slog at them. The Gold Coast is already conquered (I like visiting the place, you see) and Brisbane is slowly succumbing. As for the rest of the state? Well, I’m a determined man but …
The nation’s capital with just over a dozen pools. No ocean pools, obviously, or river pools and none in the lake yet. Thankfully.
Canberra is the home of the deceased pool. I’ve swum 2 and know of a 3rd. It’s an odd thing; you can swim a pool in Canberra and then come back a year or two later to find can Aldi supermarket on the site. Tragic, no?
From sea to shining sea
Every state in is my sights. They all have pools and I am a determined man.
Too many countries, languages and cultures to count. But all I care about is the pools.
A fairly broad category, I acknowledge. Currently, not impressive at all, but wait. Just wait.
nb: New York City has another icon: the rare blue and yellow porpoise. These denote mini-pools – city run pools that are often situated next to a basketball court, or playground, and are really only for kids and their parents. A serious lap swimmer wouldn’t consider using one, but they’re there and they’re swimmable, and I have three kids, so … I regret to say I never swam one.
Kangaroo valley has a pool!!
I finally found your ‘rest of NSW’ map. Have you managed to get to KV yet? Can do a river swim too!!
Hi Kenton. We have just been looking at your blob and Michael’s comment is “He is the Forrest Gump of pools”. So, swim porpoise swim…. from The Ryan’s
Hi Jodie, I’ve only just seen your comment. Eek! A bit late. Sorry.
I like the Forest Gump reference.
I’ll see swimming.
Kenton
This is great!
I’ll be trying some of these pools (especially Canberra).
If you ever find yourself in Belgium there are 2 great places to swim in Ghent.
Van Eyck Swimming pool for that indoor by gone era, short pool but beautiful.
The Blaarmeersen, outdoor man made lake, (with lap area) for all your summertime fun.
Have a great time swimming!
Thanks Tim, I went to Belgium 25 years ago and haven’t yet had the chance to return. I met a chap from Belgium the same morning I did the Sunrise interview at Coogee! they like their swimming.
Many thanks, Kenton
The pool in my home town of Coolamon (country NSW), is one of the only 33m pools in the country (and really weirdly shaped). Has always made it interesting for anyone who is wanting to measure their swim.
Thanks Dylan, I haven’t yet gotten to Coolamon, but rest assured, it’s on the list.
Thanks for your comment,
Kenton
Edithburgh in South Australia, 2&1\2 hrs from adelaide has a tidal pool.
Thanks Christine, it’s on my list. I’m heading back to Adelaide in November so might make the trek to Edithburgh. By my reckoning there are only 2 ocean pools in SA. That one and Kangaroo Island – which I did years ago in August. Freezing!!
Thanks for commenting,
Kenton