ABOUT
THE SWIMMING POOL is a feature documentary focussing on a year in the life of the iconic Bondi Icebergs Club in Sydney. It reveals the stories of the community at Bondi Icebergs and the many different characters who make up this historic Club. The pool itself is also a major character in the film, revealing its personality, its vulnerability, its power, its beauty, in all seasons, in all weather. The film captures the pool in the heat of summer, the storms of winter, the cold mornings, and long evenings. It exposes the pool in all its glory — and also the fact that it needs its guts emptied and its belly cleaned once a week.
At a time when the world is becoming more complex and uncertain, Bondi Icebergs is a rare and treasured beacon of light, giving people a real sense of belonging and purpose. It is a gathering space, a family, and a place of connection — whilst also happening to be a swimming club on the southern end of one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is a real community. More >
The film explores the desire for connection — the importance of finding our tribe, our people, the ones we swim with, drink coffee with and want to share a beer with at the end of the day. What is it that connects people in such a meaningful and lasting way? The film reveals that no matter what your background, or where you may be from, or even where you’re at — you are welcome at the Bondi Icebergs Club.
Why has the Club survived the test of time? Why swimming? The power of the water. The cold, cold water. What is the attraction and the draw to that water — in the dark and in the rain, in the cold and the blistering heat? Perhaps it is also the beautiful, sometimes weathered, bronzed bodies? Or just the simple conversations with familiar faces? Possibly the reward and comfort of the sun trap, all year round? Why does everyone leave Bondi Icebergs feeling warm?
The film is a poem, a reflection, a beautiful and rewarding experience. It quietly observes all the members of the Bondi Icebergs community — we swim with them, we hear their stories, we laugh with them, we shed tears when one of the legends passes. Everyone has a story, and it is inspiring, heartfelt, or possibly just something we can relate to, giving us comfort.
This is a time for stories about place and purpose, family and community, that brings a smile to peoples faces. These are the stories of THE SWIMMING POOL.
DIRECTOR
IAN DARLING
PRODUCERS
MARY MACRAE
IAN DARLING
EDITOR
SALLY FRYER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
BEN CUNNINGHAM
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGN
PAUL CHARLIER
SOUND RECORDING
MARY MACRAE
EMMA DARLING
EDIT ASSISTANT
EMMA DARLING
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MARGARET SIMPSON-LEE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
KATE HODGES
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
ALISHA MANNING
ABOUT
THE SWIMMING POOL is a feature documentary focussing on a year in the life of the iconic Bondi Icebergs Club in Sydney. It reveals the stories of the community at Bondi Icebergs and the many different characters who make up this historic Club. The pool itself is also a major character in the film, revealing its personality, its vulnerability, its power, its beauty, in all seasons, in all weather. The film captures the pool in the heat of summer, the storms of winter, the cold mornings, and long evenings. It exposes the pool in all its glory — and also the fact that it needs its guts emptied and its belly cleaned once a week.
At a time when the world is becoming more complex and uncertain, Bondi Icebergs is a rare and treasured beacon of light, giving people a real sense of belonging and purpose. It is a gathering space, a family, and a place of connection — whilst also happening to be a swimming club on the southern end of one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is a real community. More >
The film explores the desire for connection — the importance of finding our tribe, our people, the ones we swim with, drink coffee with and want to share a beer with at the end of the day. What is it that connects people in such a meaningful and lasting way? The film reveals that no matter what your background, or where you may be from, or even where you’re at — you are welcome at the Bondi Icebergs Club.
Why has the Club survived the test of time? Why swimming? The power of the water. The cold, cold water. What is the attraction and the draw to that water — in the dark and in the rain, in the cold and the blistering heat? Perhaps it is also the beautiful, sometimes weathered, bronzed bodies? Or just the simple conversations with familiar faces? Possibly the reward and comfort of the sun trap, all year round? Why does everyone leave Bondi Icebergs feeling warm?
The film is a poem, a reflection, a beautiful and rewarding experience. It quietly observes all the members of the Bondi Icebergs community — we swim with them, we hear their stories, we laugh with them, we shed tears when one of the legends passes. Everyone has a story, and it is inspiring, heartfelt, or possibly just something we can relate to, giving us comfort.
This is a time for stories about place and purpose, family and community, that brings a smile to peoples faces. These are the stories of THE SWIMMING POOL.
DIRECTOR
IAN DARLING
PRODUCERS
MARY MACRAE
IAN DARLING
EDITOR
SALLY FRYER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
BEN CUNNINGHAM
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGN
PAUL CHARLIER
SOUND RECORDING
MARY MACRAE
EMMA DARLING
EDIT ASSISTANT
EMMA DARLING
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MARGARET SIMPSON-LEE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
KATE HODGES
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
ALISHA MANNING
ABOUT
THE SWIMMING POOL is a feature documentary focussing on a year in the life of the iconic Bondi Icebergs Club in Sydney. It reveals the stories of the community at Bondi Icebergs and the many different characters who make up this historic Club. The pool itself is also a major character in the film, revealing its personality, its vulnerability, its power, its beauty, in all seasons, in all weather. The film captures the pool in the heat of summer, the storms of winter, the cold mornings, and long evenings. It exposes the pool in all its glory — and also the fact that it needs its guts emptied and its belly cleaned once a week.
At a time when the world is becoming more complex and uncertain, Bondi Icebergs is a rare and treasured beacon of light, giving people a real sense of belonging and purpose. It is a gathering space, a family, and a place of connection — whilst also happening to be a swimming club on the southern end of one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is a real community. More >
The film explores the desire for connection — the importance of finding our tribe, our people, the ones we swim with, drink coffee with and want to share a beer with at the end of the day. What is it that connects people in such a meaningful and lasting way? The film reveals that no matter what your background, or where you may be from, or even where you’re at — you are welcome at the Bondi Icebergs Club.
Why has the Club survived the test of time? Why swimming? The power of the water. The cold, cold water. What is the attraction and the draw to that water — in the dark and in the rain, in the cold and the blistering heat? Perhaps it is also the beautiful, sometimes weathered, bronzed bodies? Or just the simple conversations with familiar faces? Possibly the reward and comfort of the sun trap, all year round? Why does everyone leave Bondi Icebergs feeling warm?
The film is a poem, a reflection, a beautiful and rewarding experience. It quietly observes all the members of the Bondi Icebergs community — we swim with them, we hear their stories, we laugh with them, we shed tears when one of the legends passes. Everyone has a story, and it is inspiring, heartfelt, or possibly just something we can relate to, giving us comfort.
This is a time for stories about place and purpose, family and community, that brings a smile to peoples faces. These are the stories of THE SWIMMING POOL.
DIRECTOR
IAN DARLING
PRODUCERS
MARY MACRAE
IAN DARLING
EDITOR
SALLY FRYER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
BEN CUNNINGHAM
COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGN
PAUL CHARLIER
SOUND RECORDING
MARY MACRAE
EMMA DARLING
EDIT ASSISTANT
EMMA DARLING
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MARGARET SIMPSON-LEE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
KATE HODGES
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
ALISHA MANNING