Built during the 1960s, the Kimberley municipal swimming pool was a 55-yard competition pool that hosted the Springbok swimming team on a number of occasions. Galas were organised by the Griqualand West Swimming Union and attended by sell-out crowds of over 6000 people, who came to support their local hero, Karen Muir. Karen had set a world record for the 110 yards backstroke in 1965, at the tender age of 12. She gained instant international fame as the youngest person to set a senior world record.

American great Don Schollander, Canadian world champion Elaine Tanner, Olympic medallist Cathy Ferguson and French champion Kiki Caron all came to swim  Kimberley during the 1960's. Karen Muir was not allowed to compete against the world's best swimmers at the Olympic Games - so they came to swim against her in her own backyard!

You can find further information about Karen Muir's 18 world records here. 

As the home pool of their world record holder, it was soon officially renamed to the Karen Muir Pool in 1969. The 55-yard length pool features overhead incandescent lights (which had a habit of exploding when wet by rain!).  It was later remodelled to a 50m Olympic length.

It was the venue for the 1974 South African Schools Championships. In 2025, it is the home pool of the Flamingo Aquatics Club.

Registered clubs in the Northern Cape

Flamingo Aquatic Academy  

Good Hope Swimming Club

Penguins

Floors Swimming Club

Prieska Aquatics

Kathu Swimming Club

Jakkies Swimming Club

Upington Swimming Club

One of the earliest mentions of a public swimming pool in South Africa dates from the London Times in 1869 - which refers to an open-bottom swimming enclosure floating in Table Bay. The storm mentioned was the Great Gale of 1865.

Public swimming pools have played an important part in developing aquatic sports in southern Africa. Municipalities have been building and maintaining pools since the early 20th century, often set up a commercial enterprises.  An indoor pool once existed in Camps Bay around the turn of the century, and the Long Street indoor bath still functions in 2025.

The pools were of varying dimensions, such as the 9-lane Newton Park pool and the Rachael Finlayson Beach Baths which was 100 yards long, while the Long Street indoor bath is 33,3 yards, before being converted to 25 meters. By the 1950's the pools were a mix of lengths, with 55 yards being common.

FINA had decreed that world records could only be set in 50 metre or 55-yard length pools by 1957, and by January of 1969, they only recognised records set in 50-metre pools. When Karen Muir broke two world records for the 440-yard Individual Medley in 1969, neither was ever recognised as a world record, because FINA would accept records set in 50-metre metric swimming pools.