Hi guys,
I’m flying out to Auckland tomorrow from the States and will be spending a few days in NZ! I was hoping someone could be direct me to a easily accessible lap pool during my stay. I’ll have a vehicle, but not looking to drive all over the city. I’ll be just north of the airport. Thanks!
There is a lap pool, can’t remember the name but it’s near the CBD. It’s also a weird length (60m maybe & salt water fed). You might want a wetsuit, no lie. When I swam in it many years ago about half the people wore wetsuits bc it’s not heated.
I on the other hand froze, but they have hot tubs on deck for after.
I think you are thinking of Parnell Baths which is not open in winter. Currently has a few inches of dirty green water in it.
The Tepid Baths in Auckland CBD is pretty good, 25m with 8 lanes or the Olympic Pool (Newmarket) which is about 10 minutes away from the city. It is 50m which is quite rare over here.
Be warned that our pools get pretty busy before work and after work times with squads (5 lanes are used for squad swimming M/W/F at the Tepid Baths) and sometimes at lunch so it is best to avoid these times. You will probably still need to share a lane the rest of the time and there is no such thing as splitting a lane over here.
PM me if you want anymore Auckland intel.
https://www.aucklandleisure.co.nz/locations/central/onehunga-war-memorial-pool-and-leisure-centre/
Not too far from where you’re staying. Going into the CBD is a hassle you don’t want.
Depending on how close you are to the airport, this is probably the closest pool to the airport. https://www.aucklandleisure.co.nz/locations/south/moana-nui-a-kiwa-pool-and-leisure-centre/
Depending on what time you go, it is free.
Otahuhu pools are also free and really new. Otahuhu, Manurewa and West Wave/Henderson are probably the nicest pools in Auckland I’ve swum in. Manurewa is a really nice deep water 25m pool and is also free, or at least used to be? They might charge now.
http://www.clmnz.co.nz/otahuhu-recreation-and-youth-centre/aquatics/
Thanks! I think I am gonna try and head there tomorrow. Long shot, but do you know of any decent group rides for tomorrow morning? Looking for anything between 30-50mi.
Not that I know of for a Saturday sorry, most bike shops have group rides on Sunday mornings so I can give you a few ideas if you want to ride on Sunday?
We are actually leaving Auckland tomorrow after I get done with whatever pool/ride I can find! But we’ll be heading south to do some traveling? I think the plan is to head towards Rotorua? We’ll just kind of be driving around until the 24th when we fly to Sydney. So I suppose any suggestions on must sees would be welcome too!
I would totally recommend the Mangere Pool. It’s a 25m, well maintained and pleasant, free, and you’ll have it almost to yourself if you go before 9am on any day of the week.
Otahuhu is new and slightly further away (I haven’t been there) but from what I can tell isn’t any better. Onehunga is slightly further away again. If you’re nearer the city centre at any time, the Newmarket pool is 50m and very nice, but a bit too much of a hike from the airport just for a swim.
As for rides, some of the best triathlon riding is through the land near the airport. I don’t know of any organised rides though (perhaps someone else can help there). These people seem to hire out bikes:
http://www.naturalhigh.co.nz/biking/performance-road-bike-rentals/
If you’ve got your own bike and are planning to take it with you to Rotorua, then why not ride part of the way and get picked up. From where you are, head to Clevedon, then out along the coast to Miranda and get picked up there. You’ll ride part of the old Auckland ironman course and it’s simply stunning. Plus Miranda is not a bad place to stop for coffee and get changed.
If you end up in Taupo we have some sessions you can jump in on over the next few days;
Saturday 8am Swim to Bike brick led by Clark Ellice (ex-ITU racer),
Sunday 8:30am 3 hour bike led by Sam Warriner (ex-ITU racer).
Monday 6pm Windtrainer Group (we have spare trainers) led by Sam.
Welcome to jump into any from one ST’er to another.
We’ll also be partying Saturday night for the triathlon in Rio.
If you are into MTB apparently there is good MTB’ing in Rotorua in the Redwoods (I don’t MTB). Or else go to the Blue Lake for running - there is a trail that goes all the way around, that is where our Xterra race is held. There is also good running around the Huka Falls in Taupo
The MTB at Redwoods is pretty good. Lots of places hire bikes, so if your partner and kids are into it they can head out and enjoy it too.
The lakes will be too cold for swimming, but there’s a lot of very nice road riding around there.