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Summer may be drawing to a close, but for a bunch of wagging tails and eager paws, the outdoor pool season’s end marks an annual celebration full of splashes.
At Waltham Summer Pool on Sunday, the Pooch Pool Party transformed the outdoor pool into a lively, water-filled playground reserved entirelyfor canine visitors.
As the pool prepares to shut for the colder months, the much-anticipated event offered dog owners a final chance to soak up the sunshine, with a twist.
The Waltham Summer Pool event on Sunday invited dogs of all sizes into the water. Photo / Christchurch City Council
Organised by the Christchurch City Council and supported by Pet Central, the gathering saw the usual rules flipped, with humans strictly told to stay out of the water.
So while humans stayed poolside, their four-legged companions took centre stage, bounding into the water and paddling alongside new furry friends.
It was doggy-paddling all round at Waltham Summer Pool.
Small breeds, measuring up to 46cm, kicked things off in the morning session from 9am until 10.30am, followed by medium-sized dogs between 46cm and 64cm jumping in at 11am.
In the afternoon, larger breeds took over between 1pm and 2.30pm before an open session welcomed dogs of all shapes and sizes to close out the event from 3pm.
A $4 entry fee per dog gave pooches the rare opportunity to swim freely in a public pool.
The pool party offered local dog owners a final chance to soak up the sunshine. Photo / Kurt Bayer
Nigel Cox, Christchurch City Council’s head of recreation, sports and events, said the pool parties were always a hit and continued to grow in popularity year on year.
“These events are a great way to mark the end of summer, and we know it’s a much-loved day out for the whole family.”
Humans stayed poolside while their four-legged companions took centre stage.
All dogs attending were required to be vaccinated.
But as the gates closed and the last droplets settled, the Pooch Pool Party tradition is one many Christchurch dog owners will already be looking forward to next year.
