Hundreds of people gathered at Newcastle Ocean Baths on Friday morning to watch dozens of swimmers attempt to make a massive whirlpool as part of a commercial radio promotion, while a smattering of people protested against plans for the facility's upgrade.
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Newcastle station Hit 106.9 held the event ahead of the baths closing for upgrades next month.
A planned protest by Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths also went ahead, with an estimated two dozen people holding placards expressing their opposition to part of the upgrade - replacing the rock shelf and sandy bottom of the pools with concrete.
FONOB spokesperson Tony Brown said he believed a similar whirlpool event could not have been held in a pool with a concrete bottom. The group wants an independent investigation into the upgrade plan.
The baths will be closed for more than a year during the renovation, with the $14.5 million first phase set to focus on the pools, lower promenade and pumping system.
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