Sydney is widely-renowned for its stunning natural beaches, but many may be unaware of its hidden treasure: an extensive network of ocean pools. At low tide, these man-made pools provide calm waters in which to swim – at high tide they become turbulent! Nestled into Australia’s rugged coastline are these manmade pools offering swimmers a safe place to cool off in protected waters, away from strong surf or shark attacks. Most offer changing rooms, showers and are free for swimmers. Pool culture emerged during the 1800s as recreational and competitive swimmers formed associations to lobby for pools at their local beaches, according to author and historian Marie-Louise McDermott of All Into Ocean Pools website. “This heritage is unlike anything else in existence,” McDermott tells ABC News.

McDermott and others believe Sydney’s collection of pools are in part an attempt to combat its rugged coastline, which has resulted in many drowning deaths over time. Pools provide swimmers with safe spaces in which they can practice water-based sports or simply do laps safely – offering respite from powerful waves which could knock boulders from above the cliffs into them!

City of Sydney boasts six impressive aquatic centres, but there are dozens more throughout NSW. Some aquatic centers are managed by community groups or volunteer organisations; others by state or local government; however, as reported in a Sydney Morning Herald article many local pools have experienced declining patronage as councils cut opening hours to save money; this may push more swimmers into dangerous river or creek water bodies where drowning may become more likely, the article observed.

Some communities are struggling to maintain their pools, while others have experienced an explosion of interest due to social media’s ability to promote outdoor fitness activities. Michael Easton, a physiotherapist and swimming coach who enjoys suburban pools so much that he has visited them all and documented his favorites on Instagram; so far he’s visited 68 of them but finds it impossible to pick only one as his favourite!

North Sydney Olympic Pool stands as an example. Completed in 1936 and used to host the Empire Games – precursor of Commonwealth Games -in 1938, construction costs for this facility exceeded $10 million initially when funded through grants for regional women’s sport, leading to former Mayor Zoe Baker referring to this grant as being used “pigbarreling”.

That cash injection propelled the project past $86m and set off a chain reaction of cost overruns and delays, reaching nearly $100m when complete – with rate rises covering only one third of this bill and likely not enough to keep the pool open.