I got an email last week that stopped me mid-scroll. It was from a swimmer I met over 10 years ago in New York, back when I was living there and swimming laps at the Equinox on 63rd and Lexington. A pool two floors underground, just 15 yards long, and lit by a wash of fluorescent lights. A long way from my morning dips at Balmoral or Manly—but in its own way, it was magic.
We were regulars. Strangers at first, bonded over shared swim times and the quiet camaraderie that comes from early mornings and consistent laps. Our little club of underground swimmers—all of us carving out space for calm in the middle of a city that never really rests. I used to joke that we were dolphins in the basement, making peace with the pool's tiny turns and narrow lanes.
She sent me a video in her email—a short clip about swimming and community—and I’ll share it here, because it says so beautifully what I’ve always felt but haven’t always known how to articulate. That swimming, wherever you do it, draws people together. It builds these quiet, unshakable threads of connection—no big declarations, just small moments, over time.
Reading that email brought it all back. It also reminded me that no matter where we are—Sydney or New York, pool or ocean—swimmers find each other. There's something quietly connective about swimming. It’s solitary, but never lonely.
It also reminded me why we started The Swim Set. For the moments before and after your swim. For that quiet satisfaction when your hair’s still wet and your skin’s salty or chlorinated. For the people who seek water wherever they go.
So, here’s to you, underground swimmers and early risers. Whether you’re diving into city pools or rolling waves, we see you.
I feel so lucky to have found swimming, and even luckier for the people I’ve met through it. From Manhattan gyms to Sydney beaches, swimming has given me both a rhythm and a community.
This is also why we love The Swim Set. To honour those in-between moments before and after the swim. To celebrate the ritual, the resilience, the quiet joy. Whether you're diving into the sea or an underground pool, we’re glad you’re part of it.
And while I'm reminiscing about swimming in New York, I had to share this year’s art installation at Roosevelt Island. ‘Waves of Joy’ by Parisian artist Meri Karapetyan is an explosion of color and organic forms, inspired by nature and water—perfectly placed beside the East River.
Over 14 days — and with 26 gallons of paint — Karapetyan transformed an 8,500-square-foot deck into a vibrant, technicolor dreamscape. Swirling lines, leafy forms, and bursts of sun stretch across the surface, infusing the space with movement and joy.
“This mural isn’t just decoration,” Karapetyan says. “It’s an invitation to reconnect with nature and feel the lightness of now.”
With the East River flowing nearby and the Manhattan skyline rising beyond, the whole scene feels both otherworldly and irresistibly photogenic. As a past New Yorker, I can add there's something about this city that always feels like magic: unexpected, grounding, and a little surreal.
And finally—who would’ve thought the East River would be swimmable in 2026? Don’t believe me? I’ve been following the progress of www.poolsplus.com for years. After swimming in the East River back in 2018, I was hooked. (Curious? We wrote about it on our blog.)
The project is incredible. +POOL is reclaiming New York’s natural resources by opening its waterways for swimming. What began as a concept for a water-filtering, floating swimming pool has grown into a movement to restore access to the city’s rivers for everyone.
Think it’s cool? You can literally put your name on it. +POOL needs 70,000 tiles — and yours could be one of them. Add your message and become part of New York’s swimming future.
Take a guess at what our message will be?
YOU NEVER REGRET A SWIM