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In early February 2020 Brockwell Lido closed for several months for some long overdue repairs, which meant the pool being drained and repainted.
Many members migrated to Tooting Lido, who very kindly took us in whilst the repairs were undertaken.
But shortly after Covid hit and we all went into what was, for many, a particularly fateful time. And there was no outdoor swimming for what seemed like an eternity.
Eventually we returned to a kind of “normal’ although in some ways nothing ever quite seemed the same again. Finally, we could swim again and did manage to return to rhythm of regular pool attendance without any further restrictions and social distancing. Things seemed to gradually make sense again, life flowed a little more as before but there were many changes and I think we can all say, living fell into pre and post Covid.
One of the noticeable differences at the lido was that the little wooden wagon on the poolside, our much loved, overly crammed and amazing Tardis of a sauna was no longer available for use!
It had fallen into disrepair and although could probably have been revived, was still viewed perhaps with caution, as a potential haven for infection due to the incredibly close proximity we all endured in the efforts to warm up after cold winter morning swims.
It was definitely a tight fit in that small space and in no way would it adequately serve the growing cold water swimming community at Brockwell. One good thing that came out of lockdown was a huge revival in outdoor swimming. This has seen a healthy increase in lido use in the last 5 years and the interest seems to be growing. Once bitten forever smitten in many cases, as more people find the addiction of cold water has led to multiple positive benefits in personal health and wellbeing. Science is taking an active interest in measuring the mental and physical impact on the population. We can therefore only assume the swimmer community in Brockwell will not only grow in numbers but also span many more generations in the coming years.
January 2025 marks five years without the poolside sauna. It has been sorely missed by many swimmers. Although some have succumbed to the spa area sauna, it just doesn’t have the same transitionary experience as when integral to the entire outside experience.
Not only did it help with the process of warming the core but we can honestly say that it was one of the best places on earth. That tiny little box in the corner, where we all had to shuffle around like a Rubik’s cube to make space for the coldest swimmers to move forward, closer to the stove area.
Vying for prime position near the side back, closest to the wood burner, reluctantly moving away to enable some other frozen fish the chance to thaw. It was wonderful in there. We had incredible philosophical discussions, put the world to right, socialised, built lasting friendships and laughed so, so much.
When we left for work or to start our day in whatever capacity, people were absolutely off the scale, eudaimonic and not just from the benefits of the swim. The wonderful water experience was further compounded by the sauna experience. And for those who dared, then came the ‘double dip’. Straight out of the sauna back into the pool, for a dip, or a handstand to seal in the heat is allegedly the best way to keep that Ready Brek glow all through the day.
And so when it was announced at the AGM that Fusion have listened to us and have ordered an outdoor sauna, we could hardly believe our ears. The sauna is due for installation in January 2025. No January Blues then, just full on feeling great when the winter is at its worst.
This is just the best news, very exciting and so just to get us in the mood here below are some anecdotes, memories, from some of the swimmers who were around in those days of blissful mornings.
Bring it on!
Some memories of the outdoor sauna
'The speakeasy poolside' - Chris
From the old do remember the excellent moominfluencer telling us about her work as leading journalist covering moomins, Lady Helena correcting me on points about our fav Angela Carter novel (Wise Children) and how it was also an extension into the winter of the speakeasy poolside chatter looking forward to a return of that.
‘Shut the door’ - Alastair
20 people jammed in. Cold newcomers given a path to squeeze through to the heat from the stove. Shut the door was the mantra shouted every few minutes. Regulars knew the deal. You open and the close the door as quickly as possible. Newbie’s opened it, peered inside thinking ‘surely I can’t fit’. But you can fit. There’s always room for one more. Just close the bloody door. Then one day after my swim I entered the sauna. There was no one there. Weird. Surreal to be alone when normally so rammed. So I relaxed on the bench. After just a minute or so I couldn’t handle it. The heat was insane. The thermometer had topped out. Above 120c. It had reached its limit. It was dangerous. The only option was to try and reduce the temperature. The only way to do was to open the door. So I stood outside the sauna holding the door open. Soon the shouts of our mantra began from swimmers. Shut the door. Shut the door. I called back I have to open it , you will see. I knew they didn’t believe me. Had I imagined it all, high after a cold swim. No. But it was definitely a one off.
'The ranging chat was impressive' - Vanessa
I remember the time in the sauna so fondly would always be the perfect ending to a swim where the chat was always going on. And the ranging chat was impressive from setting up a new business to what's your favourite meal to latest theatre to allotment planting. Sometimes just sitting there listening to what everyone else has got to say was a very therapeutic way to finish the swim. I always remember Victor rolling down the side of the pool in the snow and then coming into the sauna and then running out again, rolling down the side of the pool in the snow and coming back into the sauna And the Phine do it they know what they're doing sauna and a swim makes everything feel better. And keeps everyone safe as they warm back up slowly.
Crammed in like sardines
Room for a small one.
'The Gypsy Caravan Sauna' - Victor
Warmth, good humour and friendship are the qualities that come to mind when remembering Brockwell Lido’s poolside sauna.
There was always space for just one more, often making it busier than the central line in rush hour.
Once settled inside, whether sitting or standing there was bonhomie with much friendly chatter.
The only sin, committed by first timers, was to hold the door open for friends who would be along in a moment, letting precious heat escape.
A lifeguard’s fire building skills were as valued as their life saving skills. The sauna could offer blazing heat to melt the ice from veins or else the disappointment of its absence.
The abiding memory is the sauna as a catalyst to bring swimmers together, with friendship, fun and laughter.
It’s really missed.
'We got to really laugh - Heather
The times you get with people in the sauna are so precious. In that warming space we got to really laugh, talk, cry and connect, whilst sweating out the world and all it brings with it.
Victor doing headstands as the rest of us laughed with joy.
Really learning peoples names by looking in their eyes and saying it three times
Feeling the warmth of community in your bones.
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