On the shorefront, next to the chin-up bars and bodybuilding benches, is piece of equipment that still turns heads.
The Bondi Beach Pole has a cult following on social media, with an Instagram account run by a local dance studio. Some flock to the beachside gym not to bust a move but to pose for selfies. Despite this, the pole, which has been on the shorefront since 2014, still divides opinion among locals and visitors.
The dancer who shares videos from routines on the Sydney shorefront has amassed a social following of over 100k and is used to defending the unusual open air gym from trolls and those who misunderstand the intention.
Reposting videos of her routines alongside negative comments, Birdy has become a local legend and helped raise the profile of Australia’s most unusual outdoor gym.
“If seeing this makes your kids into sexual deviants means you did a really bad job raising them,” she wrote.
Other viewers of Birdy’s videos have also leapt to her defence. They seem to think that the pole would be an inclusive and positive “influence” on young ones, encouraging them to “train and be strong as…”.
Some seem to think it no less a display of exhibitionism than the bodybuilders, who train on the benches nearby.
'Influence on the young ones': Not everyone is happy about having a dancing pole on Sydney's most popular public beach. Photo / dirdybirdyofficial2
In one video, a dad and daughter stop to watch the athletic performance of the dancer.
“Love how that dad and kid in the background are just mesmerised by this,” reads one comment.
According to the local council the unusual gym has been a huge success.
“The Bondi Park outdoor fitness station is one of the most popular outdoor gyms in Sydney,” says Waverly Council, after the outdoor gym was upgraded in late 2020.
It has become something of an off-beat tourist attraction with some visitors to Sydney stopping for selfies. Though their performances may not be as athletic.
One international visitor left a selfie with the comment that it was the highlight of their trip to Australia.
“Now... I can tell you the truth... I didn’t decide to come to Australia for Kangaroos, Koala, Summer, amazing beaches and beautiful forest.... I came here TO POLE DANCE AT BONDI BEACH”
