Is it just me, or is every Instagrammer ever at Bondi Beach’s Icebergs pools currently?
Seriously, open up Instagram, scroll twice and nine times out of ten - there it is.
Apart from bringing on serious bouts of envy, and an important and immediate desire to get some winter sun, this has also brought on a need to know why exactly it’s so great (aside from its obvious photogenic value).
What do you do there aside from dip? Where exactly is it? Is it members only? Here's what I found out:
The club is located at the southern end of Sydney’s Bondi Beach and adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. It was established in 1929 by a small group of friends and has become something of an Aussie landmark ever since.
When you look at photos of the location, you’ll see two swimming pools - one is Olympic sized and the other is a children’s pool. Both are filled by the ocean and the reason for the ‘Iceberg’ name is because, despite many presuming Australia never really gets cold, during the winter months (May until September), the saltwater really is certifiably chill-inducing.
On the opening day of the winter swimming season, it is in fact tradition that people put large clumps of ice into the water to test the endurance of those taking a dip.
When it comes to membership, it’s by no means an easy club to get into. Not only do you need two people who have been “long serving” members to recommend you, you also have to take a pledge and be prepared to swim three out of four Sundays during each of the winter months for five years. If you don’t, you have to provide a written letter explaining why you couldn’t swim and if it’s not deemed acceptable by a board, your membership will be at risk. Today there are over 900 Icebergs (the name given to members), including women, who were only allowed to join in 1995.
If you’re only visiting, the good news is that all guests are welcome for a $7 fee and if you don’t want to do lengths, there is the option of the 'spector-only' pass for $2 less.
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