Siting the baths

The ocean pools invariably occupy beautiful sites with great views, places where people like to linger, sunbake and swim. There are still plenty of suitable sites close to populated areas still available even now.

Ease of development/construction was clearly a consideration in siting some pools. Formalised town planning skills helped determine the site for the Port Kembla Olympic pool. Scientific advice was called on for development of baths at Cronulla.

Other considerations relevant to pool siting are:

1. North side of a bay or south side of a bay?
Most pools developed on the south side of bays and harbours, where the prevailing summer winds cause less wave action. There are of course exceptions. Maroubra's Mahon pool is to the north of Maroubra Bay and all too easily whipped to a froth by storms and strong winds.

2. Headland or mid-beach?
It is easier to create ocean baths where there are rocks. Rocky headlands are more common than rocky outcrops in the middle of a surf beach, as at Mona Vale.

3. Part of the beach or away from the beach?
Ocean pools sited away from the beach are generally older than pools sited near the beach, created before bathing from the ocean beaches was fashionable.
 

Further Information

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