Apr 279 min
top of page
.png)
Swimming has not always been as common as it is now. In fact, at the beginning of last century, it was against the law to swim in sunlight hours! In 1902, William Gocher announced to all including the police, that he would defy the ban and enter the water at Manly Beach at noon. He was apprehended but no charges were laid. Since the eradication of this law, surf swimming for recreation became as popular as it is today.
As beaches grew more popular, there was a rise in drownings. Experienced surfers and other devotees to the ocean soon realised the dangers that local residences were facing in the water, and saw the need for lifesaving bodies to assist those who weren’t familiar to the environment. SLSA, formed in 1907, also noticed the need for more patrolled beaches.
In 1938 an event now known as ‘Black Sunday’ occurred when a series of large waves hit Bondi Beach that swept hundreds of swimmers out to sea. Lifesavers eventually rescued 300 of them, many unconscious. The event emphasised the value of surf lifesavers.
Swanbourne-Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1932 making it the 7th oldest surf club on the West Australian coast. The timeline below shows some highlights and noteworthy events that have occured in the club's history.
Our History
Summer of 1930-31
The beginnings of the Swanbourne Surf Life Saving Club began when a group of regular enthusiasts held weekend swimming events at Swanbourne Beach. Each threw a penny in a tin and the winner collected the total.
1932
Nedlands Road Board gave permission for a shed to be used as clubrooms, which, in 1932 enabled the establishment of Swanbourne SLSC, named because the Club was within jurisdiction of the Nedlands Road Board (now the City of Nedlands).
28th Sept 1932
The first general meeting set the official foundation date of the Club. The first President being H.A. Sharp and the first Club Captain A. Kemp. Club colours were at first going to be light and dark blue but due to complaints from other clubs they were changed to red and white with a black swan.
1932
Mrs. Stoneham formed a ladies club and having two of them, Mrs. Poole and A. Mclaren, were elected to the Club executive, which allowed the ladies to have more say in the running of the Club.
1933/34 Season
Swanbourne won its first state title. Ron Claybrook won the senior beach sprint, which added strength to the Club in beach events.
January 1937
The clubs' first surfboat, Swanbourne, was launched. Although originally designed for rescue work in which the IRB’s have now taken the role of, it soon became a superb competitive craft.
1938
Club members were selected to carry the state colours at the National Championships in Bondi. The old-fashioned belt race was the Clubs’ first Australian title in the senior division won by Bernie Kelly.
1955
Severe storms undermined foundations due to the closeness of the Club to the water, wind and current changes, sand drift and beach erosion. Eventually a total development plan was produced for Swanbourne Beach. Foundations of the original clubhouse can still be seen today near the reef south of the patrol tower.
1957
The Clubs’ first boat title was won by the juniors in the Clubs’ second boat the “Reg Trigg” in recognition of Reg’s many dedicated years of service to the Club.
World War II (1939-1945)
In the beginning, Swanbourne wasn’t a wealthy club. It survived on a small clubhouse and little money. During World War II, membership of the Club severely suffered. Fifty-five members were sent to war, where five of them lost their lives.
1976 - 1980
The Australian wide proposal regarding women becoming members of the surf life saving movement was devisive, with some for and others against. It wasn’t until 1980 when Debbie Fleming, Donna Biggs, Kathy Godfrey and Jane Frederickson became the first female Bronze Medallion holders at Swanbourne, passing their exam on 14 December. Today nearly half of Swanbourne’s (and the nation's) surf lifesavers are female.
1979
In 1979, the current boatshed was completed with the support of the City of Nedlands.
1975/76 Season
The first Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) was donated to the Club.
1995
New first aid room and lookout tower were built on the beach side of the carpark. In addition the change rooms were refurbished and the gym was upgraded.
2023
New clubrooms were built to enable members to continue our work providing ‘Vigilance and Service’ to the community
2007
75th Anniversary of the Club.