Freak waves damage €50,000 floating pool in Sliema

The Sliema waterpolo club is trying to salvage a €50,000 full size floating waterpolo pool which was damaged in unusually strong waves yesterday afternoon.

The pool, first used last year, was only installed for this summer 10 days ago.

Club president Michael Gatt said a series of three large waves at about 2 p.m. yesterday were highly unusual for this time of year. The waves cut the pool into four pieces, pushing some of them against the rocks, causing further damage. Other pieces drifted out to sea.

Divers from local fish farms were this morning helping in the recovery and salvage operation and Mr Gatt said he was cautiously optimistic that repair was possible, although he did not know if the pool could be re-installed by the end of August, when it is normally removed.

A number of mobile phones, laptop computers and sunbeds were also washed into the sea or the waterpolo pitch. No one was injured, but people quickly grabbed their belongings and rushed to higher ground in a scene likened to a small tsunami. A canopy was damaged.

The floating pool is used by the club for waterpolo lessons and other aquatic events run by a Hungarian gold medallist. Mr Gatt said it was serving to attract sports tourism.