To celebrate the 50th birthday of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (LPAC) in December 2010, Amie Zar, Leichhardt Library's local history librarian produced a video on the pool.
The short film showcases photos of the pool over the past half century, and images from the municipality's original Tidal Baths (1905-1959). The early baths were located just below the current pool on the Parramatta River at Iron Cove. Bathing beauties and bronzed Aussies who swam at the tidal baths are also on show.
As well, there's a lovely reflection from regular LPAC swimmer Ken Jones on the joys of swimming. Here's what he said:
The joys of swimming
"I awake early at the crack of dawn ... the clear blue water beckons. I gather myself together and make my way to the pool ... the pool where the breeze from the harbour blows gently across the lawns onto the mirrored glaze of water.
"There is a special moment when I first get in the water and push off the wall. It feels just like flying. Swoosh and I'm off completely submerged, weightless, gliding through the soft water. The only sound is that of the bubbles as they rush past my ears. The outside world is completely gone. It is just me, in my own cocoon as the water wraps my body. This moment lasts for a time ... a time that I treasure before I must submerge to take my first breath ... and so my morning starts."
I can relate to that. Can you?
