With Summer and the warmer temperature, what better way to start the day than with a swim in the morning!
I’ve picked this up recently and in Wollongong, you have quite a few options.
Wollongong Continental Pool
The first option is swimming in Wollongong Continental Pool.
The pool is very well maintained and it is open early in the morning. I get there at 6:30am in the morning and there are already people in there. You can find out more at http://www.nswoceanbaths.info/pools/b075.htm There are two pools in there, with the one closer to the ocean being a deeper lap pool. The shallow pool seems to be used more for aqua running.
Wollongong Rock Pool
This is your second option and the good thing about it is that it is never closed for maintenance and there are fewer people in there than the continental pool.
The rock pool is just next to the continental pool and during high tide, the waves will get into the pool. I usually use the Wollongong rock pool for cold water immersion recovery after a run. Another added benefit is the marine life you might encounter in the pool. I once saw an octopus in there.
Ocean Swim
This last option, which is also my favourite is Ocean Swimming!!! The water is so much more refreshing and it is never boring! There is a group which does this every morning. even on weekend! I believe they’re out there at 6:30am on weekdays and 8am on Sunday! What you do is to walk along the rocks from the continental pool (next to the pipe) to the end. There you will find a ledge where you can do a shallow dive into the water. The usual route is to swim north from there to a white mooring which is near north beach. I reckon the distance is around 800 meters. It’s a great swim and always different. I tend to find that the swim out is harder and takes longer compared to the swim back. That could probably be due to the waves pushing us back to the continental pool.
Another option for ocean swimming is harbour swimming, which is to swim the aquathon route in Belmore Basin. This is a good starting point for those who are not quite comfortable to be out in the ocean yet but still like to experience ocean swimming.
Whichever of these options you pick, summer is a great time to get some swimming in and enjoy the ocean!