Season commences at Oberderderging-Flehingen's nature-inspired swimming pool, featuring a fresh kiosk for visitors' convenience.
On a sunny Saturday, Flehingen's outdoor pool attracted scores of locals seeking tranquility and relaxation. Surrounded by picturesque nature, the pool provided the perfect getaway.
"The crowd began pouring in as soon as we opened at 10 am," shares Tanja Prager, who worked alongside Tanja Grünbacher on that day. Many families with kids took advantage of the beautiful weather to visit the pool. "The busiest time was around 3 pm," adds Grünbacher.
Making the opening day a success was no easy feat. Since February, the team led by pool manager Benjamin Mayrle had been tirelessly preparing the pool. The job was extensive, as draining the pond - acting as a full biological water treatment facility – was necessary.
This season, the catering is revamped, with Vito and Vita Lamola from Bretten serving up Italian flavors. Vita Lamola is currently whipping up two Aperol Spritz for a young couple. "Our goal is to provide a culinary change with an Italian twist at reasonable prices," says Lamola.
With an Italian sausage with peppers in a bun and a refreshing Bitterino cocktail with white wine and lemon, the couple offers season-opening specials. Before the Pizzeria Simmelturm, the Lamolas ran the outdoor pool kiosk in Sternenfels for five years. "My husband's famous Currywurst Special is a creation of his," says the proprietress, focusing on regional and traditional dishes.
As the young couple enjoys their Aperol Spritz, Jonas and Selina praise the pool's relaxed vibe. Being from Zaisenhausen, they had never visited the pool before. "I usually prefer lakes, but this pool won me over. It doesn't smell chemical, the water is as clean as a lake," says Jonas.
Sybille Bauer and Anne Duttenhofer have brought their children for a swim. These regulars think the pool is perfect for unwinding with the kids. "It's calm, easy to supervise, and never too crowded," they concur. The pool's familiar ambiance, play opportunities for kids, and the unchlorinated water make it their preferred choice, with only a wish for more shaded spots.
Leif, a Flehingen resident with a season pass, appreciates the pool's serene atmosphere. "It's not rowdy or crowded here, the vibe is super laid-back," says the 13-year-old. Ute Klepzig, a season pass holder with her 7- and 9-year-old children, calls the bath an oasis, an idyll. She also enjoys Oberderdingen, but for relaxation, this pool is perfect. "It's sheer bliss, the joy of my life," says the 40-year-old. Son Chuck admires the pool but wishes for a bigger slide like the one in Oberderdingen.
Natural swimming pools like the one in Flehingen are part of a global movement promoting sustainable and eco-friendly swimming facilities. They use plants, natural processes, and physical filtering to clean the water, eliminating the need for chlorine or other chemicals. Offering unique features like ecosystem integration and aesthetic appeal, these pools are a cost-effective and educationally valuable addition to communities.
"Tanja Prager and Tanja Grünbacher, discussing the pool's success, mentioned the surge of families interested in outdoor-living, wanting to combine their home-and-garden lifestyle with other recreational activities."
"Anne Duttenhofer and Sybille Bauer, regular visitors with their children, expressed their preference for the pool's home-and-garden feel, seeking a lifestyle that integrates relaxation, nature, and family time."
