Australia-wide we’re lucky to have some pretty sensational ocean baths. I’ve swum in many a fine pool, but for me the ultimate choice in outdoor lap pools is the Bondi Icebergs. It's so beautiful you can exercise without feeling like you are actually exercising. With waves constantly washing in from the ocean it can get a bit rough at times, but that only adds to the work-out. As does stopping to catch your breath at the end of each lap and staring out to sea at the surfers, the crowds on the beach and the wanna-be Olympians powering down the lanes. The pool is 50-metres with eight lanes and entry is $5.
The Icebergs and I are fair-weather friends so you won’t see me joining that crazy winter swimmer club which kicks off in the first Sunday of May every year.
But, I usually take the plunge around November (water temp of 16-19-degrees) and have been known to swim through to Easter, although the number of times I go a week tends to drop off with the temperature. Then it’s back to the chlorinated indoor pool, which feels like returning to economy after flying business class.
For me, February is one of the best months of the summer season as the water temperature tends to hover around 23-degrees and some days in March its warmer in the pool than it is outside. The Bergs is emptied out and cleaned every Thursday which makes Friday-Monday the best days to swim. By Wednesday there tends to be a build-up of seaweed and sand making the water less crystal clear blue and more emerald green.
Post-swim I’m usually at the Crabbe Hole enjoying a post-swim coffee, pot of tea, juice or toasted sandwich. It’s a great place to hang out, read the paper, and feel smug about all the exercise you’ve just done.
If exercise isn't your thing you can go there without paying the $5 entrance fee by telling the staff at the entrance and they'll let you through.
The Crabbe Hole got a mention today in the SMH’s Everyday Eats 2011, which focuses on meals under $30 a head or less, so on weekends it’s going to be even harder to snag one of the 10 tables but on weekdays an oceanfront table is all yours.
If you can’t bear to tear yourself away from the mesmerising view just yet, there’s also a sauna, gym, yoga classes and massages.
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