Open session today – The sundance ballet 'Eternity' brings the year to a close.

The ballet 'Eternity' in our swimming pool.

Graceful, soft, and perhaps even slightly clumsy movements will grace the 'Eilífðin' Water Ballet at the Suðurbæjarlaug today at 6 p.m. The sisters Margrét Erla Maack and Vigdís Perla will lead this open session. All are welcome. Margrét spoke about the sisters' initiative in the Christmas issue of the Hafnarfjörður municipal newspaper.

„People take part in this, it's not a show,“ says Margrét Erla, recounting the story of when the sisters founded the water ballet. „My sister and I were in Barcelona with Mum, and when Mum's in a sunny destination, she's the leather handbag on the tray. We sisters need an outlet,“ explains Margrét Erla.

„We were in a mediocre hotel. There was nothing there. gym and far too hot to go out for a walk or a run. So we went to play in the swimming pool, throwing each other up in the air. And we're not children there, I'm 33 and my sister is 24,“ she says.

„We bought a set of cones and made up routines. The kids at the hotel started to join in, and then the adults. We were asked, “When's the next show?' The water ballet was a complete hit." Vigdís's boyfriend then met the mother and daughter at Heathrow Airport with a sign that read: The Water Ballet Eternity.

The water ballet then became a job during Covid. „Everything I do was banned then, but the swimming pools were open. Dad asked: “Aren't you going to apply for a grant for the water ballet?' We did." And with that, the water ballet got off the ground.

Margrét points out that the swimming pools have become the only place where there is no constant phone distraction. „We can all let our hair down,“ she says, encouraging everyone who can to come.

“This is an incredibly good all-round workout, although we do focus on silly dancing. It's suitable for people with all sorts of ailments because the water helps so much. It provides support and honest resistance," she says.

„We also have good music, do routines and play games that test spatial awareness and balance.“ Margrét Erla doesn't stick to traditional Christmas traditions, and family members have surprised one another with various exotic dishes when it comes to the swim ballet.

„Christmas has for a very long time been about hiding food in the neighbours“ freezer so that people don't find out what's for Christmas dinner. It's our tradition.“

• Christmas Swim Ballet – open session – Tuesday, 30th December at 6 p.m. at the Sundhöllin in Hafnarfjörður.

Hafnarfjörður's Christmas Magazine 2025 – online edition: