Ocean pools are an important feature of the Australian coastline particularly in New South Wales, and many people who grew up, lived or still live near an ocean pool consider it a contributing factor to that much revered Australian way of life.

Ocean pools or ocean baths are defined as public seawater pools located on rocky surf coast, that allow waves and tide to wash into the pool. The width, length and depth of ocean pools varies and often depends on their proximity to the coast. Australia's connection to seawater pools dates back to the convict era, with our first recorded ocean pool constructed in Newcastle in 1819.

I didn't grow up in an area that was famed for its ocean pools. My hometown is 150km from the nearest beach, so I don't have that deep rooted connection to the ocean or saltwater swimming. In fact I was never really a fan of beach going or saltwater dreaming. Summer family holidays gave me a taste for it and being Australian gave me an education on it, but it wasn't until my thirties and a relocation to Sydney, that I developed a love for the ocean and public saltwater pools.

And what better way to double dip and catch up on lost time, than to admire these iconic Australian locations from both in the water as a bather, and on dry land as a photographer?

My interest in ocean pools as a bather is to partake in their summer glory, to feel that cold saltwater soak through my skin on the hottest of days. My interest as a photographer finds me drawn to the structures themselves and how they sit in the landscape. Their form. Their function. Their personality when they are devoid of the human element for whose sole purpose they are constructed.

PRINTS are AVAILABLE IN THE PRINT LAB

These photographic prints of some of my favourite pools are now available through the Print Lab in a range of sizes and finishes. Click on an image to share in a bit of the Australian way of life today.