Swimming shed
Swimming sheds (
Swimming sheds gained popularity in the early 20th century because their entrance fees were cheap. Swimming sheds also leased swimwear, at a rate of $0.3HKD for female swimming suits and cheaper for male swimming suits. This attracted many citizens to use swimming sheds during weekends and holidays.
History
In 1911, Chinese Recreation Club (Hong Kong), built a swimming shed in Tsat Tsz Mui, formerly a village, in eastern North Point. It then became the most popular swimming resort, attracting more than 100 thousands of visitors every year.
In the 1950s, there were around 8 to 10 swimming sheds in Hong Kong. Among all these swimming sheds, Chung Sing Swimming Shed and Kam Ngan Swimming Shed were the most famous ones, which were located in Kennedy Town and Mount Davis respectively. Moreover,
In the 1960s, the Hong Kong Government revoked part of the land area of the swimming shed in certain districts for redevelopment. As harbour pollution problem worsened gradually, more swimming sheds were disintegrated and declined. In 1988, Wan Hung Fai, the regimental commander of beach cottage, and his friend's application on reopening swimming shed in Sai Wai Victoria Road was approved by the Hong Kong Government, making Sai Wai Swimming Shed the one and only swimming shed in Hong Kong now. There were facilities like office, changing rooms for both male and female, lockers etc.; opened to the public from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm, charged HKD$120 per month.
On 22 October 2012,
Tourist spot
Nowadays, the swimming shed is still used by older swimmers and residents of the neighbourhood early in the morning. It is also a popular photo location among enthusiasts and newlyweds.[3]
Sai Wan Swimming Shed
Sai Wan Swimming Shed is the only shed that is still in service in Hong Kong. It was set by the government in the 1960s to 1970s in which regular swimming facilities weren't common. It is on the brink of the Hong Kong Island, outlining the Victoria Road and Mount Davis. It functions as a hybrid of swimming lot and photo-taking spot for photography lovers, for its vantage point which helps visitors see the small island to the West of the shed, the beacon and the sunset. Users could also get changed and store their personal belongings in the shed. After settling down, swimmers walk along the shed and start enjoying their laps.[4]
Accidents
On 29 September 2007 in Victoria Road and Deep Water Bay, a swimmer drowned in an early morning accident. The swimmer, who worked in Sai Wan Swimming Shed, was swimming after work. She was sent to hospital after being rescued, however her situation was critical and she died that night. Another woman drowned while swimming at Deep Water Bay.[5]
Two elderly women drowned yesterday morning when swimming. A woman (Ms Zhang, 70) from the Swimming Shed drowned. It is reported that Zhang had developed swimming habits over 20 years.[citation needed]
That accident happened at the Victoria Road Old Mount Village beach. It was administered by two committees. Members are mostly elders and are interested in early swimming and winter swimming.[6] There is no lifeguard at the Swimming shed. Swimmers only take care of the friends of each other. Sometimes when vessels pass the sea waves can be rather high, though local people are accustomed to early morning swimming.[7] They said that they do not travel too far as there are dangers and could be threatening.
See also
References