Hong Kong Swimming Pools
With a cool sniff of autumn in the air the municipal lanes of Hong Kong’s swimming pools again become an inviting environment for exercise. However, even on a tranquil morning just after sunrise one can detect the ubiquitous heavy hand of regulation.
The main problem is that most swimming pools have no lifeguards available on a regular basis. The city’s public pools are not allowed to rent out lane times for classes or other events without having a lifeguard present on site. This policy has triggered fears that many swimming clubs will be forced to cancel their summer classes.
The chairman of the Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union Lee Yuet-man said 20 out of 45 public pools had told swimming clubs they could not open all lanes or facilities reserved for swimming instruction, but didn’t offer any reasons. Lee said his members were afraid that class cancellations will affect industry development, swimmers and the city’s sports development.
“The government should allow schools and training centres to use public pools on condition that they ensure a qualified swimming coach is present,” he said. “They should do the same for sports associations.”
Some of the better swimming pool locations in Hong Kong include Tsing Yi, Wai Man Road and Kennedy Town. The Tsing Yi facility has a main pool, teaching pool, leisure and one designed for toddlers. It also has large water slides perfect for teenagers and older children.
Address: Wai Man Road, Sai Kung, NT.
The Kennedy Town Swimming Pool is a much larger water sports centre that offers two indoor and two outdoor pools. It is a great location for families and has a number of amenities, including a café. The pools are also a short walk from the town center and is accessible by bus and MTR.
In addition to the pools, Kennedy Town has a tennis court, mini-golf and a sports field. There are also a variety of restaurants and coffee shops in the area. The town is also known for its art galleries and museums, which are all free to enter.
Another popular activity is cycling, and there are a number of bike paths that run through the town. In addition, there are a number of scenic beaches and forests to explore. There are a number of different tour companies that offer biking and walking tours, or you can also rent bikes yourself. The best time to visit the island is between November and March. This is when the weather is most temperate and the island is less crowded. You can also visit during the Christmas and New Year holidays, but expect it to be crowded at this time. The island is also a popular destination for hiking and kayaking. In addition, the beaches are a great place to watch the whales migrate between December and January. The island also has a number of golf courses, which are ideal for beginners or more experienced players.