Swimming at the beach is a favourite pastime of Sydney-siders. But the sand and surf can be uncomfortable, particularly for kids and older people who struggle to stay upright in waves that crash against the shore.

In the past, local councils built sdy pools, or seawater-filled public swimming enclosures, on the shores of beaches to provide a safer place for swimmers and protect the rocky coast and sandy bottom from erosion. There are still a few ocean pools in the city but new ones aren’t being built.

Keeping your pool clean and comfortable throughout the year can be costly – not just in terms of money, but also in terms of the environment. However, with the right equipment and a few simple tweaks to your pool’s operations, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and reduce your environmental footprint.

The famous Bondi Icebergs Pool at Bondi Beach is an iconic winter swimming spot, but there are more than 100 ocean and outdoor pools across Australia, including tidal pools in Coogee, McIver’s Ladies Baths and Wylie’s Baths. Many of these beautiful pools are more than 100 years old, and they all offer something unique and special.

Bronte Baths regular Kylie Burke is one of a growing number of people who are choosing to swim in tidal pools instead of the open ocean for their fitness sessions. She loves the idea of being able to get a good workout in, and says that “being so close to the water, and with the tide washing over at times, it’s just a very special experience”.

The first sea pools were built during the Depression era, when councils used unemployment relief funds to create them in suburbs such as Maroubra and Curl Curl. A lot of them were created by volunteer workmen and women, and it was a great way for locals to earn some income during difficult times.

It was also a time when there was no shortage of fresh water to fill pools, and they were often seen as more hygienic than the rocky beach, easier to clean at predictable times unaffected by tides and generally safer. However, they have not been replaced since the late 1960s as people moved to swim in indoor pools and aquatic centres.

While many of the city’s ocean and tidal pools have been listed as heritage items, not all are protected and some face closure as part of the upcoming Sydney 2029 redevelopment plan. City councillor Jane Baker has fought hard to keep the iconic Bondi Icebergs Pool at its current location and has voted against the redevelopment plan 23 times. She accuses the state government of trying to impose a national agenda on Sydney and its coastal communities. “It’s not the bread and butter of councils to do $60m, $70m vanity projects,” she says. “It’s political bollocks.”