Pool: Dunedin - Moana Pool
www.cityofdunedin.com/city/?page=sites_pool
Grade: A
The Good: It's in Dunedin.
The Ugly: We are not in Dunedin
Reflections: There are 5 big municipal pools in New Zealand. Invercargill would like to think it is, but it isn't. Wellington (Kilbirnie), Christchurch (QE2), Hamilton (Te Rapa), Auckland (Henderson) and Dunedin (Moana) are the big five. The oldest and best is Moana. We think it beats the others because it is huge but small as well. The others are huge and spend all there time trying to be huge'er. Dunedin does not seem to feel the need. It's as big as their Coach, Duncan Laing, and as understated. There always seems to be ample space to do your workout and if there is not ask Duncan. He'll find a corner for you to do your thing. We are convinced that Moana's atmosphere of relaxed confidence has contributed to the huge success of its swimmers. If you swim in an agreeable pool you tend to enjoy going back. We are not great fans of hydroslides but the Moana ones are among New Zealand's oldest and best. One final point. Have you noticed how the more pretentious the pool, the more elaborate the name. You are no one these days if you are not an Aquatic Center. Suggest to the Napier crowd that their pool should be a "Hydroponic Rejuvenation Bureau" and you watch them jump at it. In Dunedin though their pool is listed simply as "Moana Pool" and long may it last.

Pool: Dunedin - Mosgiel Pool
www.cityofdunedin.com/city/?page=sites_pool
Grade: C
The Good: 25m, not crowded, relaxed rules, lanes are OK.
The Ugly: The facilities are pretty basic. In mid-winter it's character building to swim at Mosgiel.
Reflections: It is some time since we have swum in the Mosgiel Pool and it may have changed. It is a pool like the one at Clive in Hawke's Bay where the local community have covered and heated an outdoor pool. Consequently it's pretty basic - cold in winter and over heats in summer. It is seldom crowded and the staff, usually singular, are warm and friendly. Imagine a Tiger Moth and a Boeing 747. Both are aeroplanes, both will fly you to where you want to go. The degree of comfort is different, but if you want to experience real flying it has to be the Tiger Moth. Well Mosgiel and Clive are Tiger Moth Pools. We like them.

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