Miami Aquatic Centre

Heading into central Brisbane this afternoon, but not before a quick swim about 10 minutes south of Surfers Paradise at the very standout named Miami Aquatic Centre. The venue has two 50 m pools, so there is chance of a double swim - but the timetable seems to suggest one of them isn't open for the next few days.

As I arrive, Apple Maps takes me past the pool a couple of hundred metres to make a U turn into the car park. It's at this point I see through the fence an empty pool, diggers and high-vis jackets (well done to the tradies for working on a Sunday) - initially, I sure this is going to be a turn around and leave disapointed situation - but as I pull into the car park, thankfully, there's a hive of activity in the other 50 m outdoor pool.

I pay the very reasonable AU$7.20 entrance fee and head to the changing rooms along the pool deck. It's near midday, the sun is out and it's hot, which for once is a good thing. I've not brought a towel. It's either air dry or use my t shirt as a makeshift towel.

Sunscreen on, I head to the far end of the pool to find a spot for my new mesh swim bag. Still no lockers, but I'm not really missing them now, it's just the Antipodean way.

Half of the 10 lanes are split into two 25 m pools. They use a very neat hinged pool divider. I'm not sure I can call this one a boom as you can't walk across it. It's only about 20 cm wide. There's a gap in the pool floor where it stows when not in use. There are two, one for each half of the pool. Every time I swim past I find myself examining the mechanism, trying to figure out how it's raised and how it stays in place. I've certainly not seen a divider like this before. For once, I've brought my GoPro and it's charged. I'll try to get a photo.

The pool is outdoor but has some smart retractable sun screens. They're deployed over one half of the split 25 m lanes, basically covering a quarter of the pool. The 50 m lanes are in full sun and one set of the 25 m lanes are shaded.

Jump in and make a start. I'm aching this morning; I managed a short 1.2 km swim in the hotel pool earlier and planned to do the same again here. It's not fast and I'm increasingly noticing my shoulder issue again, but I finish the required 1 km plus a couple of bonus 100s to get the pool on the list.

Through the fence on the far side is the work in progress second 50 m outdoor pool that's currently a building site. A quick chat with the lifeguard reveals it was supposed to open last week after six months of renovation work, but judging by the current state there are a good few months still to go. I can see why the tradies are working on a Sunday.

Swim done, I head back to the changing rooms (with an incredible number of urinals along one large open wall), quick shower, then opt for the air dry method which in this heat takes only a few minutes. Now it's time to head an hour north into Brisbane city. Staying in a Hilton portfolio boutique hotel tonight; no idea what that'll be like!