The benefits of retirement

It's still hot in Sydney

Summer is having its last hurrah, but the pool is deserted in the middle of the day...just a few conscientious lappers come and go. It's heavenly.

Swimming paraphenalia

The days between Christmas and New Year have always been my favourite days of the year. Time to read, swim, completely tune out.

Public swimming - my vantage point

The past two days I have posted from Roselands Aquatic Centre in Sydney. To finish this mini-series, here's a pic from my favourite spot.

Friends from overseas have commented in the past that our public pools are like "resorts", and I guess we are blessed to have them. I have sought-out public pools in many of my travels and enjoyed them in England, Barcelona, the US (Scotsdale, Arizona, and New York, and looked in Los Angeles) , France (Paris and Avignon), Monte Carlo, Budapest. 

None have come close to the facilities we enjoy - free barbecues, picnic tables, clean and tidy change areas etc. In lots of places entry is either expensive, or time-limited - eg a 2 or 3 hour session. Roselands charges $6 for an adult, $4.50 child/pensioner/concession, $2 non-swimming parent; $20 family (max 5). I pay $100 for a 20-visit pass. And for that you can stay from opening to closing - 6am to 8pm Mon-Fri; 7:30am-5pm Sat/Sun/Public Holidays.

Many public pools were built in the 1960s and 70s (in the wake of the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956), and now need re-investment. There's always a battle to protect them as they age and councils need to find the funds. The reason I am swimming at Roselands is because my local pool is being re-built...after a long-fought battle with the local Council, which we won! 

I much prefer these outdoor 50 metre pools, which increasingly are heated to enable year round swimming. Many centres, such as Roselands, also have 25 m indoor pools - great for swimming lessons throughout the year, and for those preferring the slightly warmer indoor pool (30 deg C....outdoor is 25 deg C) .

Swimming lessons

Yesterday I showed the calm before the lessons storm began.  10 mins later and it's all go! 

Since 1954, NSW public primary school students in Years 2 to 6 can attend free swimming lessons every year. They are eligible if they are unable to swim 25m in deep water, unaided, with confidence and style. 

Lessons of 45 minutes duration are held over 10 consecutive school days.  

Calm before the storm

Every child in Australia should learn how to swim, given our relationship with water. Most do.
November is swimming lesson season for school kids all over the country. It's towards the end of the school year, and the weather is warm to hot.

Here at the public pool where I swim laps, Roselands, the onslaught is gathering .... a few calm  moments between morning and afternoon lessons.

(taken on iPhone)