The world’s most dramatic saltwater ‘sea pools’
Found on coastlines around the world, man-made “sea pools” are designed to offer swimmers a safe haven from the dangers of rough waters and unpredictable currents.
From Australia’s 82-foot beachside Avalon Rock Pool to the “Mermaid Pool” in Cornwall, UK, they can provide a serene saltwater oasis against a backdrop of crashing ocean waves.
For London-based author and outdoor swimming enthusiast Chris Romer-Lee, whose new book features photographs of more than 60 dramatic sea pools, their appeal is not just aesthetic — he finds himself drawn to the sense of security they provide.
“The photos I particularly like are the ones (taken) on stormy days, where you really get the feeling of being cradled in nature,” he told CNN in a video interview.
His book, which includes essays from designers and fellow outdoor swimmers, features a variety of pools from all over the globe. It also delves into the architecture and history of sea pools, from the 19th century onwards.
Romer-Lee’s fascination with sea pools was sparked during a family vacation in Switzerland a decade ago. Inspired by his experience swimming in Lake Zurich — where he encountered Zürichsee Kreisel, a swimming facility built along the lake and River Limmat — he founded Thames Baths, an organization campaigning to build a floating pool on London’s River Thames.
Studio Octopi, the architecture practice he co-founded, also channels his passion, having restored tidal pools in Scotland and designed a seawater pool in Cumbria in recent years.
Found on coastlines around the world, man-made “sea pools” are designed to offer swimmers a safe haven from the dangers of rough waters and unpredictable currents. From Australia’s 82-foot beachside Avalon Rock Pool to the “Mermaid Pool” in Cornwall, UK, they can provide a serene saltwater oasis against a backdrop of crashing ocean waves. For London-based author…