Complejo Acuático Virgen del Carmen Piscinas (Outdoor)

Spending September in Spain between the Costa del Sol and the Balearics, so I'm hoping to add a few new Spanish pools over the next few weeks. I'm on a Malaga airport run this afternoon and plan a swim on the way back to La Mairena in the hills between Malaga and Marbella. I've spotted the Complejo Acuático Virgen del Carmen Piscinas with its numerous pools in Torremolinos, and ChatGPT is quite confident the pool is open for lane swimming all day.

Arrive, park just off the road, literally in the pine forest opposite the pool entrance, and head into reception to check in. Pay the bargain €4 entrance fee and receive a personal show-around of the facilities from the very helpful guy on reception.

There are two 50m pools on the sports complex. The other, an indoor pool, is about 200 yards down the hill. It's open and I'm contemplating a split session to put two pools on the list, but decide I'll just enjoy this one today.

In addition to the glorious outdoor competition pool, there is also a dedicated diving pool. I can't actually see it as it's on the other side of the building, but the diving boards stand prominently over the entire facility.

Quick change, douse on the sunscreen, lose a £1 coin in the €1 locker mechanism, I'm sure they're the same size, then realise there are also padlockable lockers. Quick stretch in the shade, then head down the ramp to the eight-lane 50m pool. Seven of the lanes have one or two swimmers, so head to the free middle lane.

It's hot and humid. There is cloud cover, but it's wispy and not giving much protection. I learn my 'swim cap required in Spanish lap pools' lesson yesterday. Fortunately, I have my Coniston Chill Swim 2026 bright yellow cap in the swim bag, and I'd probably wear it anyway to protect me from the blazing overhead sun.

Jump in and make a start. I'm planning a standard 3.2km session today, working down from 1,000m, 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m, then a couple of 100s to finish up.

The pool temperature is just right and the water is crystal clear under the Costa del Sol sun. The eight lanes are full competition spec with wave breaker lane ropes, even on the outside lanes along the pool edge.

The pool is lined with small blue tiles along its consistent 6ft depth. There are a few tiles missing, some areas with algae growth and the odd 'rust' spot, but otherwise it's a great pool.

Sunscreen and bald head equals a swim cap that does not want to remain in place. Have to make several adjustments on turns during the opening 1km. A full reseat before the next 800m and it remains fixed in place for the rest of the session.

The left calf muscle is still tight after the bout of cramp yesterday, to the extent that I'm hobbling along a bit, so take it easy on the push off from turns. Quite unlike me, I decide to flop over the lane ropes to the pool steps at the end of the session instead of the usual energetic leap out of the lane. Don't want to risk another bout of cramp.

Swim done, grab a quick cappuccino to take out for the 45-minute drive along the A7 back towards Marbella.