Swimming pools are an extremely popular feature in many Sydney backyards. They offer a wonderful way to stay fit and healthy, and are the perfect place to relax with friends and family. They also provide an opportunity to enjoy the great Sydney climate all year round. However, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of a pool before making the decision to buy one. This article will guide you through the major factors to consider.

The closing of Canterbury pool in Sydney’s south-west is another blow for the city’s much loved public swimming pools. For community activist Yusra Metwally, the loss of the post-war pool marks the end of an era. “It’s the end of a time that I remember with fondness: a basic big blue rectangle of water, patches of concrete and grass on which to roll out towels, and long, carefree days of splashing, swimming and hanging out with what seemed to be the whole neighbourhood,” she says.

With more ocean pools than any other city in the world, Sydney has a rich pool culture. These tidal pools, set into the rocky beaches of the surf coast from Palm Beach in the north to Cronulla in the south, host recreational and competitive swimming and learn-to-swim programs. They are undeniably wilder than indoor public pools but they offer a different kind of swimming experience and a sense of connection to the sea, beach and sky.

As the city’s suburbs have grown, so has demand for swimming pools. From the 1970s, many pools were built to replace old, decaying tidal pools and private and council pools that had been closed due to pollution from sewage outfalls and industrial pollutants. In the 1980s, nurses at Sydney’s Prince Henry Hospital raised funds to develop ocean pools in Malabar because pollution from sewage outfalls had made their hospital pool at Little Bay unfit for swimming.

Ocean pools are often walled off so that swimmers can safely enter the waters, but waves sometimes crash over them and carry swimmers across lanes. The resulting currents can be intense and can cause rips. It is not uncommon for sea life to wander into the pools, including sharks and jellyfish.

In the cooler months, the ocean pools are popular with surfers and other beachgoers who want to escape the heat. However, when the weather turns cold and wet, the pools can be deserted. To get the most out of your pool, it’s important to install a heating system. Solar heating is a popular choice because it’s environmentally friendly and cost effective. Investing in a solar pool heater will ensure that you can use your pool all year round, regardless of the weather conditions. It’s also a good idea to consider a cover for your pool, as it can help to keep the water warm and prevent evaporation. This is especially useful during the winter months when the air temperature drops significantly and the sun is lower in the sky.