Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.06.2010, Blaðsíða 42

30
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 08 — 2010
Iceland is “all about the water” my mum
said when she came to visit. She was
referring to the dual influence of the
Gulf Stream, making Iceland unusually
warm for its latitude, and the country’s
ubiquitous hot springs. Without the hot
springs, Icelanders wouldn’t be the peo-
ple they are—hot tub addicts.
The number of swimming pools here is big,
per capita, and the hot tubs are the star of the
show. If the midnight summer sun is keeping you
awake, just take a dunk in the closest hot tub and
you’ll melt into sleepy jelly. Some Icelanders love
to switch between hot tub and shocking ocean
swim, to maximize the effect. Hot pots, as they’re
often called, also allow you to bathe outdoors on
an otherwise frozen winter night.
Swimming pools in Iceland are pretty much
all outdoors. They’re all well maintained, though
some are newer than others. It is often custom-
ary to have little perks like free lockers, soap, and
hair dryers in the change rooms. Many are part of
sports complexes that have gyms, weight rooms,
classes, and hold sports tournaments in the sum-
mer. But, like their towns, the swimming pools of
Iceland each have a unique personality. My moth-
er and I sampled several en route from Reykjavík
to Akureyri.
SWIMMING POOL AT ÍÞRóTTAMIÐSTöÐIN
Í BORGARNESI
BORGARNES
400 ISK per adult
With its clean and modern feel and aquatic co-
lour scheme, the Borgarnes swimming pool was
a pleasant start to our journey. About an hour out
of Reykjavík, Borgarnes is a prime stopover point.
The sun was out and the showers were hot. There
are three outdoor hot pools, 35, 39, 42 degrees
(with no jets), one kids’ wading pool, two lap pools
(one inside), and three slides, each significantly
different from each other. The top slide was fast!
Bergur Jónsson, a Borgarnes native and em-
ployee of the community centre, says: “The best
thing about the swimming pool, for me, is to go to
the hot tubs after lifting weights. We have a great
view.” From the pool deck visitors can see over the
ocean nearby, and can even watch football games
being played in the adjoining field.
SWIMMING POOL AT ÍÞRóTTAMIÐSTöÐ
HúNAÞINGS vESTRA
HVAMMSTANGI
400 ISK per adult
The Hvammstangi swimming pool is an unassum-
ing little place. Some might even call it shabby.
The building has the white-painted-concrete am-
biance of an old hospital, but a clean one. Built
in 1982, the pool uses geothermally heated water.
Because it’s located higher up on the Hvammstan-
gi’s hillside, the pool might have a nice view over
town if we could see through the fence. The lack
of lockers is a nuisance, but not a serious problem,
because you can leave your valuables at reception.
There is little to no theft. “Sometimes someone
takes one towel, but nothing big,” the girl working
there told us.
With two hot tubs at 37 and 40 degrees, this
pool doesn’t have all the bells and whistles the
others do, but I’ve got to hand it to them for hav-
ing a hot tub at just the right temperature—and
with jets! Despite the pool’s modesty, I can imag-
ine crowds of kids hanging off floaty toys and
parents lolling off lawn chairs on the deck when
Hvammstangi congregates to enjoy this pool in
summer.
BLöNdUóS SWIMMING POOL
BLÖNDUÓS
380 ISK per adult
My mother and I picked our way through con-
struction into this brand spanking new sports
complex only to find it hadn’t officially opened yet.
With two slides, two hot tubs, a tots’ pool (with
mushroom fountain!) and a lap pool, all outdoors,
plus a steam room, this pool will be much better
than the previous version, which was all indoors—
mostly unheard of for a pool in Iceland. “For now
we’re just cleaning up the place and getting ready
for the opening,” Sara Jóhannsdóttir told us. She’ll
be working there after the place opens on June 16.
Much thought has been invested in this version.
There are concrete floors rather than cushy rub-
bery ones because the latter become slippery in
winter. The pool also uses a state-of-the-art chlo-
rination system, and is electrically heated because
there is no geothermal heat in the area. The best
part of the pool? “I’m betting the slides are going
to be awesome,” said Sara.
GRETTISLAUG HOT POOL
GRETTISLAUG, JUST NORTH OF SAUðÁRKRÓKUR
Free
Okay, this isn’t officially a swimming pool, but if
you’re anywhere near Sauðárkrókur you should
go. It’s sixteen kilometres up a dirt road along
the pretty Skagafjörður, through three gates you
have to open yourself. The two outdoor hot pools
are lined with large algae-covered stones that are
smooth to sit on, but slippery. The smaller and
larger pools are about 38 and 41 degrees, respec-
tively. Even on a rainy day it’s worth a trip—park
right beside, change in the car, and make a run
for it.
Unfortunately there is no view of the fjord from
Travel | Swimming Pools
The Formula For Water
Swimming pools between Reykjavík and Akureyri
Go swimming while you are in Iceland. Missing the opportunity
would be a mistake on your part. Honest.
1. 2.
Always best price online.
Various online-offers to all Air Iceland's destinations.
www.airiceland.is
websales@airiceland.is / tel. +354 570 3030 Contact Air Iceland or
travel agent for reservation.
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KEFLAVÍK
BORGARNES
STYKKISHÓLMUR
SNÆFELLSJÖKULL
DRANGAJÖKULL
FLATEY
NESKAUPSTAÐUR
BLÖNDUÓS
SIGLUFJÖRÐUR
BOLUNGARVÍK
HRÍSEY
NARSARSSUAQ
Greenland
FAROE ISLANDS
REYKJAVÍK
AKUREYRI
EGILSSTAÐIR
VESTMANNAEYJAR
ÍSAFJÖRÐUR
VOPNAFJÖRÐUR
ÞÓRSHÖFN
HÚSAVÍK
GRÍMSEY
KULUSUK
Greenland
Blue Lagoon
AKRANES Geysir
Gullfoss
Jökullónið
Kárahnjúkar
Krafla
Hallormstaður
NUUK
Greenland
ILULISSAT
Greenland
www.airiceland.is
CONSTABLE POINT
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