TIME TO POOL RESOURCES IN SEA OF OPPORTUNITY
Open-water guru says it’s time for our city to swim in the fast lane when it comes to making the most of the natural assett that is our incredible coastline
LYNTON Mortensen knows a thing or two about the ocean.
He’s a bona fide freak at ocean swimming and is one of a growing chorus of people who have a bond and love for the sea that are keen to see ocean pools brought back to the Gold Coast.
There’s nothing stopping the current council from commissioning a new ocean pool at Burleigh or Snapper Rocks.
They are citing cost but that’s ridiculous when a good ocean pool costs $6 million and their annual budget is close to $1 billion.
There are at least half a dozen perfect locations and as Lynton Mortensen says, it’s a win-win for those who love the ocean, particularly young families.
Mortensen, 58, a lawyer, is passionate about the issue. Take a look at his oceanswimming CV and his thoughts on ocean pools and you’ll understand why his voice carries weight.
Along with the surf clubs and salty stalwarts who say ocean pools are a great way to connect the community with the beach.
Mortensen regularly swims the coastline from Snapper Rocks to Surfers Paradise and his leisurely weekend swim is from Snapper to Currumbin.
“I have a strong bond and affection for this patch, being my favourite stretch of coastline,’’ he says.
“It never ceases to amaze me how often I’m the only person swimming out the back behind the breakers having it all to myself or with my ocean swimming buddies who join in at times. I love the rough and tumble of swimming in big swells but it’s not for most people and there are even some days I won’t head out.
“The safety of an ocean pool is a no brainer, especially for those with young kids where even swimming between the flags can be a worry in strong sweeps and currents.’’
Mortensen says NSW has it all over Queensland on ocean pools.
“I also know the NSW coast pretty well having swum from Palm Beach to Shelly Beach (Manly) and from Bondi to Watson’s Bay,’’ he says.
“I’ve been fortunate to swim in most of the ocean pools along those stretches as well. I’d always think to myself how awesome those ocean pools are and how brilliant it would be to have them in Queensland.
“It saddens me to say it, but the Blues have it all over Queenslanders on the ocean pool front. It’s a wonderful opportunity as well for disabled and school kids who can’t swim, providing a safe and comforting environment in which to learn to swim in the great outdoors.’’
Mortensen gives an interesting perspective on sharks.
“I’ve been swimming Gold Coast waters forever and rarely see sharks – few leopards, shovels and reefs – tend to sense them more on the odd occasion than see them,’’ he says.
“I’ve only had one close encounter in 10 plus years on the Goldie when a great white eyeballed me when swimming out the back of Currumbin – like time stood still as she peeled off and kept going along the coast.
“Saw her one other time a few weeks later … over 12 months ago now. Sometimes we see the odd bull (shark) feeding at Lacey’s Lane at Palmy just near the groin.
“Goes to show that we aren’t on their food chain and you’d have to be bloody unlucky.’’
Now, there’s a guy who knows his ocean swimming.
He’s swum the English Channel and is the only person to ever circumnavigate the 30km around Lord Howe Island.
Mortensen was named one of the world’s 50 most adventurous open water swimmers in 2019 and is only the 12th person to ever complete the Oceans Seven channel swims.
In other words, this is a man – nicknamed Sea Bull – who knows the benefits of ocean swimming, and the advantage of ocean water pools. For decades, the Gold Coast City Council has been heavily invested in our surf lifesaving movement and the protection of swimmers through our wonderful lifeguards. They offer up peppercorn rents to surf clubs, who make money, which is then pumped back into the surf lifesaving community.
Establishing half a dozen new ocean pools would be a logical extension to that support for the surf lifesaving movement. It’s time to make it happen. Maybe they could use some of that pot of gold reaped through parking fines and parking fees, the greatest rort ever imposed on ratepayers.
The safety of an ocean pool is a no brainer, especially for those with young kids where even swimming between the flags can be a worry