A gay guide to swimming pools in Iceland

A new book from the editor of gay magazine Elska, that has brought us the stories of men from across the globe, in photos and writing.

Imagine going on a winter trip around Iceland with a friend. Or better still: a gay friend, who happens to be a photographer and a writer. You have all the time in the world so you stop by most of the pools you come across, relax in the warm water, share thoughts and impressions and go through the occasional weird little adventure together. If that sounds like your kind of holiday, you should check out Liam Campbell’s newly released Fifteen Icelandic Swimming Pools, aka A Gay Guide to Swimming in Iceland. The concept is simple, but all the more charming. Liam, who’s also the guy behind Elska Magazine, tells us more about his new book and his experience going from pool to pool all around the country by himself a few months ago.

Editor Liam Campbell.

You’ve just published Fifteen Icelandic Swimming Pools, can you tell us what’s in the book in a nutshell?
“Essentially it is a travel memoir from a trip I took to Iceland last November/December that was meant to be a sort of mental health holiday. Inside the book are expanded diaries that I kept, lots of specific notes about the pools, and various snaps I took of the country, the pools, and one guy I met who fancied doing a nude photoshoot.”

“I do enjoy seeing other men in their swimmers or naked in a shower complex. I’ve seen a lot to admire and quite a bit worth storing in the wank bank as well.”

How did this project come to life?
“At first I had no intention of doing anything like this. I was feeling a lot of stress in my life and decided that a trip to Iceland would be the remedy, where I’d do nothing but read, drink coffee, and hang out in sundlaugar (Icelandic word for swimming pools). But sometime after visiting my third or forth pool, an obsession was born to visit as many pools as I could, and I started keeping notes about each visit. I thought maybe I’d put it all in a blog or something, but then when COVID-19 happened, I decided to turn all those notes and snapshots into something more substantial, this book.”

Why do you keep coming back to Iceland?
“Iceland was the first foreign country I ever visited, and my first holiday alone. I’d just turned eighteen and I wasn’t out, but when I got to Iceland, this place where nobody knew me, I felt I could finally be me, and that made me feel so at home there. For the years to come, and through another probably thirty visits to Iceland, I still feel comfortable, free, at home there.”

Did you know that cameras, or cellphones for that matter, were strictly forbidden in Icelandic pools?
“Absolutely, which is why I made sure that all the pics I took contained no faces, so privacy could be maintained. The only time when a person could be seen, I’d asked permission first. Really most of the pics are exterior shots, or images of some of the cute signs they have in the locker rooms. My favourite was the showering instruction cartoon by the shoe rack at Vesturbæjarlaug, which I put on the back cover of the book.”

Shoot with Akureyri Boy.

No but seriously, nobody told you off? It surely happened to me.
“It happened to me too. And on the very first day. The reception lady working at the first pool I visited, in Stykkishólmur, gave me quite a stern lecture when I asked if I could take a quick snap. But well, I’m really not good with authority, so I took a pic anyway when she wasn’t looking.”

What’s the connection between Fifteen Icelandic Swimming Pools and Elska Magazine, if there’s any? Except from you. And Iceland.
“The most obvious connection is that the book contains a nude photoshoot of a guy I’d met up north. Before the trip there were some thoughts of doing an Elska issue up in Akureyri, which didn’t pan out, but I met one of the guys who’d been interested in potentially taking part and we did an impromptu shoot using my phone. This section of the book looks the most like Elska, albeit in a more lo-fi way. Overall, most of what you read in Elska Magazine is the words and perspective of the men I meet, but Fifteen Icelandic Swimming Pools contains all my words and thoughts, so it’s kind of an opposite or counterpart to Elska.”

Mývatn Nature Baths.

The book is subtitled A Gay Guide to Swimming in Iceland. How is it gay? Should we expect cruising tips?
“Cruising tips? No, I’m terrible at cruising, and besides, one of the things I like most about Icelandic swimming pools is how uncruisey they are. If I thought people were looking at me, judging me, I wouldn’t enjoy it. I suppose one of the gay elements of the book relates to this, to how seeing other bodies of all shapes and sizes makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin – the sundlaug is like a therapy for a self-loathing that is rampant in gay culture. But also, I can’t deny that as a gay man, I do enjoy seeing other men in their swimmers or naked in a shower complex. I’ve seen a lot to admire and quite a bit worth storing in the wank bank as well, and some of those highlights are talked about in the book.”

“I suppose one of the gay elements of the book relates to this, to how seeing other bodies of all shapes and sizes makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin.”

Jokes aside, is there a swimming pool in Reykjavik where gay guys tend to hang out more? Rumor has it, Vesturbæjarlaug is the one.
“Vesturbæjarlaug is absolutely the one. In fact, I actually did get cruised there, which I wrote about in the book along with a little history of its queer legend. I really adored Vesturbæjarlaug, but not because of the gayness. It’s just so charming, the main hot pot is gigantic, and it was fun when I saw Auður (a famous Icelandic singer) there, though not in the showers, sadly.”

Hveragerði Pool.

Any fun adventure happened to you while going from pool to pool?
“Each pool was special in its own way. Apart from Vesturbæjarlaug, I’d also have to highlight the pool at Ólafsfjörður for its unexpected queerness, Þelamörk for its steamy nighttime swim scene, and Hofsós for its incredible setting and for the white van man who tried to get off with me outside it.”

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

—————-

Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

Webpage/vefsetur

Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
    - award-winning chocolate maker

      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

      Our creative flavors are carefully crafted by meticulous chocolate makers. The cacao beans are roasted, winnowed, ground, and refined into melty-smooth chocolate.

      Omnom’s process is one of constant exploration, invention, and experimentation. If it doesn’t please us, if something isn’t absolutely delicious, there’s no reason to be doing it. So, we always start with our taste buds and follow our instincts. Our team searches for the finest ingredients in the world and new ways to improve chocolate. This obsession with knowing where our ingredients come from has led us around the corner to dairy farms in the Icelandic countryside and all the way to rainforest cacao farms of Nicaragua.

      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

        Our unique position at the center of the capital markets allows us to see firsthand how these values have redefined corporate culture and success, deepening and accelerating our own commitment to champion inclusive growth and prosperity, as we strive to create more equitable opportunities to help people of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Most notably, we published our diversity statistics for the first time in 2020. These metrics serve as a quantitative assessment of where we are today and help determine what strategies we need to adopt to enhance diversity in the workplace. We recognize that we have much work to do, but we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture—one that reflects the communities in which we live, allows all employees to be their true, authentic selves and fosters individual growth and achievement.

        As we move forward together, we will continue advancing diverse ideas and perspectives that help fulfill the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous world. We aim to set the pace for rethinking capital markets and economies anywhere and everywhere. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
        comes from 2.000 meters within the earth where seawater and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of porous lava and searing heat. Propelled by extreme pressure, the water ascends to the earth’s surface, emerging enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the elements that endow Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater with its radiant, healing properties.

        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
        geothermal lagoons, a subterranean spa, a renowned line of skin care, a thriving research center, and a wealth of spa and refreshment facilities.

        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

        Landsbankinn’s strategy is to provide comprehensive financial services that meet customer’s needs. It emphasizes providing exemplary service to customers, developing e-banking for their convenience, increasing the efficiency of support functions, modernizing its technology and ensuring effective utilization of its balance sheet.

        The bank’s vision is to be exemplary and its role is to be a trusted financial partner.

        Special emphasis is placed on promoting a performance-oriented culture in the bank. To follow up on the implementation of this strategy, the bank has defined key goals which are measured regularly to determine progress. These goals include, for example, customer satisfaction and loyalty, profitability, cost efficiency and the correlation between risk appetite and employee satisfaction.

        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

          Macland is located at Laugavegur 23 (101, Downtown Reykjavik)
          For all your Apple needs. We are here.

          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

          Ísey skyr builds on this remarkable legacy. It was some of those very same women, the recipients of their mothers’ expertise, who, around 90 years ago, taught Icelandic dairy scientists the art of skyr-making. The production process is more high-tech these days, and the quality standards more rigorous. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Protein rich, fat-free, creamy and delicious – Ísey skyr is as relevant to consumers now as it was all those centuries ago.
          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

          Contact Us


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