Hong Kong Pools Closed Due to Shortage of Lifeguards

Whether you’re an active swimmer or not, swimming is one of the best ways to cool off in the sweltering Hong Kong summer. It’s also good for the heart, joints and muscles and even helps improve your breathing. The city’s 46 public pools offer a wide range of facilities, including children’s pools and water slides. The only thing that may stop you from getting in the water is a shortage of lifeguards.

Leisure authorities said last Monday that only 40 percent of 600 seasonal lifeguards had reported for duty, indicating it would be difficult to reopen all public beaches and pools by the end of this month as planned. The announcement prompted the Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union to warn that swimming lessons might be cancelled and that public pool users could face long queues or have to share lanes with other swimmers.

A full reopening of public pools is essential, the union said, as swimming is a popular sport in Hong Kong with more than 10,000 competitive swimmers and millions who swim for leisure. Its members are also concerned that closing pools could damage the city’s tourism industry and hurt its reputation as a sports destination.

The union urged the government to make sure that all public pools are able to open completely by the end of this month. It also urged it to hire more seasonal lifeguards.

Many families in Hong Kong have their own private pools, but if you don’t, there are 44 public swimming pools around the city. Newer developments with several towers generally have a 50-metre indoor and outdoor pool, while smaller single-tower developments only have a small outdoor pool – too short for laps but great for kids to splash around in and burn off energy.

There are also a few swimming pools that have water slides and fountains to keep kids entertained. Hammer Hill Road pool is known for its pirate ship and water cannons, while Ocean Park has a great selection of water slides suitable for different age groups.

Unlike the private pools, most of the city’s public ones are very cheap to use. Adult admission is HK$17 during the week and HK$19 at weekends (and public holidays), while children under three are free. You can also purchase a locker for HK$10, inserting your own padlock to secure it.

The LCSD has been recommending that new swimming complexes include heated pools since 2000, as part of its aim to promote year-round swimming habits. However, it is difficult to provide the facilities in all districts due to limited resources. Nevertheless, the department will continue to promote and support heated swimming pools in areas with high demand. It is hoped that the government will increase funding for swimming pool development, especially in districts with low enrolment rates. This will help to make swimming a year-round activity in all districts. This will in turn, benefit the health and wellbeing of the community.