Bondi Iceberg Pool swimming members are called Icebergs. These inducted swimmers go through freezing swimming conditions. The required swims take place May through September. These are the coldest months of the year (and lowest water temperatures). While anyone can swim at the world famous Bondi Icebergs (even non-members), only the bravest and most cold-tolerant swimmers join the ranks to be called “Icebergs”.
Bondi Icebergs Pool is an internationally renowned ocean-fed swimming pool. Photographed more than any other pool in the world, local swimming hole sits on the southern edge of Bondi Beach in Sydney.
It goes across wealth and social strata and knows no boundaries like that, it’s all encompassing. You don’t have to be a fabulous swimmer, you just have to be able to swim a lap. Everyone can swim a lap.
Mary Anne Cronin
While reading this article will not make you an Iceberg, it will provide you with enough information on how to become one. It will also provide basic information on swimming at this iconic pool, even if you’re not a member! Continue reading for more on the deep history of the Club, as well as everything you need to know to visit or swim as a tourist!
1. How to find Bondi Icebergs Swimming Pool
Before you can become an Iceberg Swimming Club member, you’ll need to locate the swimming club. Take the 333, 380, or 381 bus from Sydney downtown to Bondi Beach if you’re riding on public transportation.
You can then take a leisurely walk to the south end of the beach. Public transportation is the best way to get there. Parking can be difficult as thousands flock to the nearby Bondi Beach.
Taking a bus avoids having to find parking. If you have to park, there’s metered parking on Notts Avenue. In addition, try to North side of Blair Street if you’re ok walking 7 minutes to the beach. Parking is free there 24 hours a day.
Location
Bondi Icebergs is on the southern end of Bondi beach.
Address
1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026, Australia
Map
2. Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club & Swim School History
You’ll want to learn the history of the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club before becoming an Iceberg. This organization is the only licensed swimming club in the world. It is also most certainly the swimming club with the most members. The club has grown in popularity, with members from all over the world.
When it all started
The Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club began in 1929 as a club for Bondi’s local life guards. These life guards are dubbed live savers in Australia. Life guards began swimming in this pool during the colder months of the year so they could train year round.
A group of friends in the 1920s swam in the cold Bondi ocean during winter and named the Bondi Icebergs pool. Prior to this, it was called the Bondi Baths. As mentioned above, these swimmers are named Icebergs because they fearlessly swim in cold waters.
A museum is located on the first floor of the Icebergs Club where you can learn more about the pool’s long history.
What is rule 15B?
The group of live savers (i.e. life savers) that started the Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club in 1929 developed a constitution with elected officials. These rules are still in effect today. One of the more well known rules is Rule 15B. To keep individual membership, this group of officials made it mandatory to abide by this rule.
Rule 15B makes it mandatory for swimmers to compete three out of four Sundays for five years from May through September. These are the coldest months of the year.
- 5 years x 3 Sundays x 5 months = 75 meets (15 meets per year)
Note: That’s a lot of devotion to swim 5 months out of the year during the coldest months!
NSW Heritage Act
The Bondi Baths falls under the NSW Heritage Act. It is also part of the National Heritage register. The pool is commonly seen in photo shoots, television commercials and shows.
3. Pay your fees
To be a swimming member, you have to pass a timed trial and induction process. There’s a $250 annual fee if you’re inducted. Non-members or social members must pay $25 (locals) and $55 (non-locals) per person. Icebergs must successfully swim a lap.
Note: All prices are in AUD. Bondi Icebergs Swimming Pool is open to the public, including members and non-members. There’s an entry fee of $9 for adults and $6 for children, for non-members. You can get a classic membership at $2,299 per year (12-month contract), giving you unlimited access to the sauna, pool, and gym.
4. About the pool: home of winter swimmers
Part of what sets the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Pool apart is its unique design. The pool is built into the surrounding rocks and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. At a depth of 1.8 meters (6 feet), the pool sits at the southern end of Bondi Beach.
The waves from the ocean often crash over the sides, making for a very cool scene. This gives swimmers a natural and refreshing experience. They divide the pool into two sections:
- Larger lap pool at 50-meters
- Smaller children’s pool at 25-meters
The larger lap pool at Icebergs Bondi has a 50-meter pool geared for adults. The smaller pool is meant for children and is a smaller at 25-meters. The larger Olympic-sized pool holds approximately 500,000 gallons of ocean water! There are nine swimming lanes in the 50-meter pool, and 6 lanes in the children’s pool.
5. Bring your kids: the “Ice Cubes” (kid’s club)
The Bondi Ice Cubes are children allowed to swim at the Bondi Icebergs. Children must be able to swim at least 40 meters without assistance. When Ice Cubes turn 18, they can apply for the famous Icebergs Swimming Club membership.
6. Learn the water
Before you apply for membership, you need to know what you’re getting into. For one, you’re going to be swimming in very cold water! Second, the water can be turbulent at times from crashing waves along the pool wall. No need to worry, lifeguards are always on duty, and the pool is shut down if it’s too rough.
Bondi Icebergs Pool does NOT have heating. The water in Bondi Icebergs Pool is saltwater. The ocean tides regularly mix with fresh water to ensure they feed and constantly refresh the pool.
The lifeguards drain the pool once a week on Thursday to clean any debris and sand left by incoming waves. Afterward, the pool is refilled with salt water.
Water temps
The water temperature in Bondi Icebergs Pool can be chilly in the winter, but perfect for a swim on a warm summer day. The pool’s temperature is usually the temperature of the ocean water that supplies it.
These temperatures range from around 18 to 26 degrees Celsius (65 F to 79 F) and are warmest between December and March. In winter, temperatures can go as low as 12 degrees Celsius (54 F). Before you swim, consider checking the temperature of the Bondi beach water.
Continue reading other travel tips and guides
7. When to go
If you become a member, you’ll remember that in accordance with Rule 15B you’ll need to swim 3 out of 4 Sundays from May through September. So while you won’t have a choice when to swim all the time, maybe you can pick and choose your Sundays.
For those not becoming members but still want to swim, maybe you’ll want to know the best times to swim. For a comfy swim, go to Bondi Icebergs Swimming Pool in the summer.
The warmer months are October through April. The months you might want to avoid swimming May through September. However, if you’re daring, you can take advantage of the winter season to enjoy a dip in the icy waters.
8. Winter Swimming Tips
As a new Iceberg member, you might want to use the following winter swimming tips.
Consider a wetsuit
Swimming in winter requires some preparation, and you can start by wearing a wetsuit. The Bondi Icebergs swimming school strongly recommends wetsuits, although they are not required.
Other clothing
Consider a windproof jacket, insulating hat, and gloves to keep you warm for when you get out of the pool. Always stay hydrated and warm up before and after taking a plunge.
Warm up
On the pool deck level there’s a sauna and hot showers. Use these to warm up after a cold swim.
9. Get your grub on after a cold swim
Bondi Icebergs Pool has a kiosk that serves light snacks and beverages. You can also have a meal or drink at Bondi Icebergs Club. The Crabbe Hole serves robust coffees, simple breakfasts, and lunches.
10. Observe the tides
The tides affect the water level in the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Pool, creating a unique experience for swimmers. The water level in the pool rises and falls because of the tides. This fluctuation provides swimmers with a constantly changing environment.
11. Enjoy swimming amongst whales, surfers and beach bathers
As an Iceberg, one of the best feelings has to be swimming in a pool surrounded by rocks while watching sun bathers on the beach and surfers and passing whales in the Pacific Ocean!
What a scene. While seeing whales is likely rare, it’s still neat that it could happen. We saw a sailboat in the distance when we were there. Truly a water-lovers dream!
Enjoy the great view as an Iceberg both in and out of the pool. And, if you are a member, enjoy what a special bond you have with the ocean that fills the same water you get to swim in.
12. Nearby rock pools
Bondi Beach has two rock pools at the north end near Biddigal Reserve. These rock pools are perfect for cooling off and splashing in the shallow swimming areas. If you are an Iceberg that gets bored at the swimming pool, head to the rock pools at the north end of the beach for a more natural experience.
12. Safety at Bondi Icebergs Pool
Whenever you are swimming at Bondi, safety should always be a priority. Ensure that you read and follow all the rules in the pool area before taking a swim. Continuously swim with and follow the advice of the lifeguard on duty.
Note: There is always a lifeguard on duty and the pool is open year round except Thursdays.
13. Hours of operation
As an Iceberg you’ll need to know when the swimming pool is open.
- Monday: 6 am to 6:30 pm
- Tuesday: 6 am to 6:30 pm
- Wednesday: 6 am to 6:30 pm
- Thursday: Closed for maintenance
- Friday: 6 am to 6:30 pm
- Saturday: 6 am to 6: 30 pm
- Sunday: 6 am to 6:30 pm
14. Bondi Pool FAQ
Here’s a few other questions you might want answered as a future Iceberg (or someone that just wants to take photos or swim for the day).
- Who owns the Bondi Iceberg Swimming Pool? The owners own the pool and club. Membership requirements are found on the Iceberg Swimming Club website.
- Is the water freshwater or saltwater? The water in the pool is saltwater from the Pacific Ocean.
- Is the pool heated? No. The water temperature should be the same temperature as the Pacific Ocean during that time of year at Bondi Beach.
- Do you have to be a member to swim? No. The pool is open to the public for photographs or swimming.
- How deep is the pool? The pool is approximately six feet or two meters in the deeper 50-meter adult pool (closest to the ocean). The 25-meter pool is shallower at approximately 3.5 feet or 1 meter.
15. Swim with a piece of ice
To mark the start of the winter season, it’s tradition for swimmers to jump in the ocean with a giant piece of ice. This ice symbolizes the cold water months ahead as well as the brave swimming members named Icebergs.
16. Membership
Currently, there’s around 1,100 Icebergs and 3,000 to 4,000 social members of the Bondi Icebergs Club. All club members receive food, beverage and facility discounts.
Social (i.e. non-swimming) members
There’s no waiting list to be a social member or swimming membership. Membership opens each April ahead of winter season and swimmers must comply with Rule 15B. To be a social member, it’s $55 for non-residents and $25 for those living in the local zip code.
There is no swimming requirement to be a social member. In addition, you have access to the Club and can sign in up to 6 guests. Lastly, you’ll receive 10% off all beverages.
Iceberg (i.e. swimming) members
Icebergs are inducted once a year and those wanting to become a member must be recommended by a current Iceberg and seconded by a second swimming member.
All new prospective swimmers must attend a one a half hour induction session. This session includes a swimming timed trial. One of the two persons that recommend you should be present that day.
Swimmers will meet on level 2 of Bondi Icebergs at 10:30 am. An Iceberg application form should be printed and completed. You can find the new swimmer Iceberg application on the Bondi Icebergs Swimming club website.
Swimming club members must pay a first year’s membership of $250. The membership is valid until March 31 of each year. Swimming members (i.e. Icebergs) can, as members:
- attend general meetings of club members
- vote at general meetings
- stand for election as a director
Swimming club
The swimming club is open Sunday – Thursday: 11 am to 10 pm and Friday – Saturday: 11 am to late
When in Sydney, take the chance to visit Bondi Beach and Bondi Icebergs. The Bondi Iceberg swimmers are some of the toughest swimmers in the world and deserve a lot of respect. They take their swimming seriously and this is what’s kept them an organization since 1929.
If you’re interested in becoming a member, check out the membership requirements and contact Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club & School so you can become a member this year!
