13.4oC - UK
16 images Created 21 Nov 2010
In the 1930s many outdoor swimming pools called "Lido" opened their doors and were very popular in the UK. However, over the years many closed and only some remain open (many only after local campaigns by dedicated swimmers). Brockwell Lido, which has been in the heart of Brixton since 1937, is one of those lidos with a very dedicated following.
As a regular summer swimmer at this Lido I have been impressed by the many regulars who come no matter what the weather is like. Being used to heated outdoor pools in my native Germany it took me a while to be brave enough to swim a whole season in the unheated Brockwell Lido pool.
In admiration of the regular swimmers I created a series of portraits of those who came on the last weekend of the 2010 season. As the water temperature dropped from 14.8oC on Friday to 13.8oC on Saturday and 13.4oC on Sunday people posed mostly patiently for me in the freezing cold water. Only when looking closely, though, one sees a few details, which give away the chilly water temperatures.
Set against the calm blue of the water and the red brick walls, which surround the lido the portraits are synonymous for the oasis of calm this place presents in the midst of bustling and multicultural Brixton.
As a regular summer swimmer at this Lido I have been impressed by the many regulars who come no matter what the weather is like. Being used to heated outdoor pools in my native Germany it took me a while to be brave enough to swim a whole season in the unheated Brockwell Lido pool.
In admiration of the regular swimmers I created a series of portraits of those who came on the last weekend of the 2010 season. As the water temperature dropped from 14.8oC on Friday to 13.8oC on Saturday and 13.4oC on Sunday people posed mostly patiently for me in the freezing cold water. Only when looking closely, though, one sees a few details, which give away the chilly water temperatures.
Set against the calm blue of the water and the red brick walls, which surround the lido the portraits are synonymous for the oasis of calm this place presents in the midst of bustling and multicultural Brixton.
