Gold Coast Aquatic Centre (South Pool)

Just done 1,200 m in the 50 m North pool and now switch over to the South pool, another 50 m eight lane pool that is set up with a dividing boom into two 25 m halves. I walk to the far end by the cafe, jump in and get going on the next 1,200 m.

I'm starting to notice quite a variety of pool boom tech. Here the boom only drops about 1 m into a pool that's roughly 2 m deep, so you can swim under it. It sits on a central leg with wheels, just the one set in the middle. There must be some kind of air system that lets it float and sink into position.

After the planned 1,200 m I move over to the diving pit. It's split with two lanes in the middle, diving boards up to 10 m on one side getting plenty of use, and a synchro session on the other. I join a guy running laps and set the watch to a 25 m pool. I'm planning another 1,200 m but at about 150 m something feels off with the time. I stop, do another 100 m, and only then realise the pool is longer than 25 m. I have no idea how long this one is in the moment. It's definitely not 50 m. With synchro and diving becoming increasingly busy, and no idea how far I'm actually swimming! I jump out after 20 lengths. I suspect 33 m (water polo length) and later confirm it.

Two new pools on the list today (so far!) It could be three with a bit more planning, but I'm not going to complain. It's an awesome venue, I get past my usual 3 km baseline for the morning, and I've got a busy tourist Saturday drive down to Byron Bay next, where there might also be a beach front 50 m pool for a third swim of the day!