It may have been raining outside, but keen swimmers made the most of the chance to hit the water at the Port Chalmers community swimming pool this week.
The enthusiastic lifeguard team were also thrilled to be back poolside on Monday for another summer season.
The Port Chalmers Pool is the second community pool to open for the season after the Mosgiel Pool, which opened on September 3.
St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool will open on October 1.
Lifeguard Carly Hutton, a local woman who credits a childhood spent swimming at Port Chalmers for inspiring her career, has a deep affection for the pool.
"It has a different feel to the town pools - the water feels lovely and soft on your skin,'' Ms Hutton said.
"The locals really appreciate having the pool here. There is a lovely community around it.''
Last year's pool supervisor, Nikki Cleverley, who has stepped down due to injury, said the 30m pool was very popular with West Harbour swimmers.
Its position, tucked away in Albertson Ave, meant some people were not aware of it, but its profile was growing, she said.
"It's the ideal spot for the community to come for a swim, from school kids to older people.''
Fellow West Harbour resident Dean Moore, who has taken over as supervisor, is delighted to have such a supportive and experienced team of lifeguards around him.
"I've heard it could be another hot summer - so we could be pretty busy out here,'' he said.
Moana Pool manager Nicola Jukes, who also supervises the city's community pools, said last summer's heat had led to large increases in attendances at pools across the city compared with the previous season.
"Last summer, we had a huge season because of the heat. It would be great to have that again,'' she said.
The community pools were greatly appreciated by their local residents, with people enjoying the chance to take a dip close to home.
• Port Chalmers Pool will have a free opening celebration barbecue on Saturday, from noon-2pm.
• St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool opens on Monday, October 1, and will put on a free barbecue on Saturday, October 6, from noon-2pm.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
