Thanks to Calum Hudson (@EdenSwim), and Allan Rae at Fusion Lifestyles, some of us lucky Brockwell Swimmers got an early dip at the new Kings Cross Pond. Meeting at the station we headed north not really knowing where the pool was. However, us swimmers must have a nose for water and managed to stumble across the place more by accident than design.

So after changing in the red and white striped changing rooms, and putting our clothes in the red and white striped lockers we walked up the steps to the raised pond, edged of course with red and white stripes. First impressions are that it’s not as big as it looks in the photos. But looks can be deceiving so we jumped in (diving not permitted). At first the water felt cold, as it should at 14·1°C, but after thrashing out a few lengths we soon warmed up, even though George was shaking quite a bit when we finally got out 20 minutes later feeling very refreshed.

For the moment the pool is in the middle of a building site although, as Allan described, this will all change in a couple of years time when the new flats will come right up to where the perimeter fencing currently is. It will then be filled in and the space returned to parkland.

The 40m long, natural, chemical-free pond is the creation of Ooze Architects and artist Marjetica Potrc who claim it is the UK’s first ever man-made fresh water public bathing pond as well as an innovative piece of Land Art.

Entitled ‘Of Soil and Water‘ it is an integral part of the King’s Cross Arts Programme, a respected and rich range of public art. King’s Cross Public Arts Programme’s main objective is:

• Art at King’s Cross Central will incorporate contemporary works of such high quality and innovation that King’s Cross becomes an international destination for the arts.’ The first three year curated programme, RELAY, was set up by the curators Michael Pinsky and Stephanie Delcroix in 2010.

The Kings Cross Pond Club is the fourth and final project of the RELAY programme and follows Jacques Rival’s IFO, Richard Wentworth and Gruppe’s Black Maria and Felice Varini’s Across the Buildings.

To retain the ecological balance of the water, the number of swimmers will be restricted to 160 per day. Tickets go on sale to the general public 22nd May through the www.kingscrosspond.club web site (opening times below) operated by our very own Fusion Lifestyles.

Brockwell Swimmers are thinking of organising a day trip some time in the Summer. If you would be interested in coming please let us know.

SUMMER

1ST MAY 2015 – 30TH SEPTEMBER 2015

Weekdays

Weekends

Bank Holidays

WINTER

1ST OCTOBER 2015 – 31ST MARCH 2016