Best of Iceland extra

Page 59

a distance of 7 m without falling into the water. Finally, the tallest waterslide at Laugardalslaug swimming pool has been revamped and now has LED-lights in the ceiling for a part of the ride.

Great place to meet the locals

Swimming pools and hot tubs are an important meeting place for local people of all ages. Many of the most frequent visitors come to the pool first and foremost to socia lise rat her to e xercise. T he y typically come to the pool on a certain day of the week and time of day when they know their friends are there, too. Because nearly everyone in Iceland enjoys going to the pool you might bump into Iceland’s most famous singer, the mayor of Reykjavik, pop stars, TV-personalities, actors, members of parliament, university lecturers and students.

Pool etiquette

It is considered very important to shower naked and wash thoroughly before entering the pool for hygiene reasons. Visitors who don’t conform may have one of the staff, or even guests ask them to do so. Most people leave their towel behind in a special area near the showers while they go into the pool. Bath robes and sandals are hardly ever seen around pools but people with long hair are expected to wear a shower cap. Be considerate to other swimmers. Try not to swim in a lane with faster swimmers so they won’t have to overtake you. When it looks like you’re going to swim into a person you’re supposed to veer to the right.

Great water quality

The water in Reykjavik’s swimming pools is of the highest quality. It comes from drill holes in three different areas, in and

near Reykjavik. The quality of the water is inspected four times a day by the pool staff and four times a year by independent health and safety inspectors. The clean natural geothermal water and regular inspection ensures the highest water quality possible. Laugardalslaugopensat06:30inthemorning and closes at 22:00 at night on week days in summer.SaturdaysandSundaysitisopenfrom 8 in the morning. The price in 2012 is 500 kr. for adults and 120 kr. for children under the age of 18. Disabled and senior citizens go free. Laugardalslaug

SHV

Sundlaugarvegur • 104 Reykjavík

+354 411 5100 laugardalslaug@itr.is

www.swimminginiceland.com

57

© Oddur Albertson

the Pool


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.