Seahorses like hanging out at Watson's Bay Baths. Their natural home is seagrass but over the years they have taken a liking to the pool's shark nets. Scuba diver Dave Thomas says they prefer them because it gets them off the ground and away from predators.
"And they can't chase things down, so they rely on food coming to them. They love hanging in the nets while things go past," he said in an article in The Sydney Morning Herald.
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| Photo from Underwater Australasia |
Visiting the baths last week I found that the seahorses have a very nice new home with one of the best views in Sydney. While Watsons Bay was established as a fishing village way back in 1788, the baths had a later beginning. Their life began in 1905 when Vaucluse Council built a shark-proof enclosure to allow safe bathing. Over the years the pool has undergone a number of repairs and upgrades with major work carried out in 1927, 1965, 1975, and most recently in 2010.
The latest renovation includes a new Olympic-size swimming area with two floating turning boards or sunbathing pontoons, wider new boardwalks and improved seating. The focus of the new, improved pool is on entering the water via ladders and ramps in the deep end so that there is a reduced need to walk over the seagrass in the shallow area.
Other features include a deep water access ramp for wheelchairs, which is said to be a first for a tidal harbour pool in Australia. Two fully immersible wheelchairs are also available for public use.
If you tire of exploring this expansive salt water space, you can retreat to one of the seats near the entry which are shaded by the shapely trees above. In the pool's early days patrons paid admission of two pence a swim or one shilling a week. Today the pool is free; just open the gate and walk in.
Woollahra Council spent more than $2 million improving this lovely tidal pool. Money well spent, I would say. I think the seahorses would agree.
So did you spot any of the little critters on your visit? Great story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen. We were in Watson's Bay for Bruce's birthday lunch so we didn't get to have a swim this time - but will take the goggles and go looking for seahorses in the nets next time.
DeleteThat pool is going to be perfect for my kids. They love playing on water but I am afraid to bring them near the pool. That kind of pool is going to be very safe for them to use.
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ReplyDeleteGreat concept for a blog, would you be up for doing an interview? I work for Antiview, a Australia-based website launching in March. Our content is based on the idea of learning about things from what they are not, so our interviews use negatively-framed questions, ie "What isn't important to consider when looking for a good place to swim?"
We are happy to do the interview either over the phone or via email, and obviously would be happy to promote your blogs. Could not find contact details for you on the website, but our email is antiview.net@gmail.com if you are interested.
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Thanks Max. I will be in touch via email. Cheers Therese
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather use to run Watsons Bay Baths, Alf Vockler.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMy grandfather worked for Alf Vockler as a swimming instructor for under 12s http://kirrawee.net/images/WatsonsBay.JPG
DeleteThanks for leaving a comment. Would love to talk to you at some stage about your memories of the baths and your grandfather.
ReplyDeleteWhat era did he work there Mike? I'm sure the baths are full of stories. Must return this summer for a swim.
ReplyDeleteAlf Vockler taught me to swim in the late 50's. My dad used to drive me there every weekend from the north side.
ReplyDeleteI remember Alf Vockler from my days swimming at Watsons Bay before 1953, he used to show off his muscles wrestling on the lawns opposite the baths with, I think, his brother. many good memories of travelling from Vaucluse on the tram, getting off at the pub and walking along to the baths. I lived three doors from the water tower in Black St
ReplyDeleteAlf Vockler was my swim coach early 60's when I was 6 or 7 years old...my grandmother would take me down to Watson's Bay on weekends from Darling Point...finally got my 'Wings' from Alf for being able to swim 25 metres freestyle on a fairly cold day from memory...afterwards I remember watching Alf and another gentleman wrestling on the lawn in front of the little cafe behind the baths...
ReplyDeleteAlf Vockler was my grandfather. He taught unarmed combat during the war. I still have my wings - I earned them on Christmas Day in 1978 when I swam 100 laps(1KM) of his pool. He taught all 20 of his grandchildren how to swim. My grandmother used to work in the little shop at Watson's baths. She lived to age 99.
DeleteI knew Rosie and Grahame Obrien.Rosie was Alfs daughter and told many tales of Alf.i lived at glebe and later hunters hill as i worked at grahams auto electrics..
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ReplyDeleteLikewise, I learnt to swim with Alf Vockler in the early 1960s. I have very fond memories of the pool in spite of the introduction to swimming being brutal!
Alf picked me up right out at the deep end and threw me into the pool. It seemed an eternity lying at the bottom, unable to breathe, sucking in water until I saw him appear and dragg me to the surface. It was a terrifying experience and I think I spent quite some time crying whilst being comforted by my distraught mother.
I remember a few more tough sessions but I became a very powerful swimmer, without fear of water albeit holding it in great respect.
I remember it being named the Alf Vockler Pool. Is this no longer the case?
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