Little Coogee Swimming & Life Saving Association was formally conceived & proposed at a protest meeting in December 1906 at Little Coogee, against ordinances banning mixed and daylight bathing. Little Coogee had been at the forefont of such “depraved “ behaviour in those early years.
At the next meeting in February 1907, office bearers for the Little Coogee Swimming & Life Saving Association were elected.
The club’s first AGM was on 24th November 1907. During the year the name had changed to Little Coogee Swimming & Life Saving Club due to concerns from the Royal Life Saving Society.
In 1908, Little Coogee won the first surf boat race ever held at a surf carnival in Australia. This was at the inaugural Manly Surf Carnival in January 1908. They used lifeboats from whaling ships to row in ! The club also had its first clubhouse in 1908, a 12’ x 14’ wooden shed.
The “official” SLSA history book currently states that Clovelly affiliated with SLSA in 1914. It may be that the name change of the beach & suburb from Little Coogee to Clovelly in January 1914 caused the confusion. This name change was inspired by Little Coogee SWLSC President F.W. Howe due to similarities of the landscape at Little Coogee to his birthplace in Clovelly , Devon , England.
In the 1930s, Randwick Council announced plans to build an Olympic swimming pool and a sea wall using gangs of unemployed labour. Attempts were made to construct a breakwater across the mouth of the bay. The project plans were modified after winter storms washed away most of this sea wall, leaving behind a protective rocky reef now visible only at low tide.
In 1953, the Clovelly Winter Swimming Club was founded by Clovelly surf club members looking for a way to keep active in the winter months. They used Clovelly Bay as their swimming pool. (In 2009, the Clovelly Winter Swimming Club (the “Eskies”) elected the first female in the country to the position of President of a mixed winter swimming club (Lyn Chapman, also a patrolling member of the surf club during summer).
In 1962, as acknowledged by a plaque at the pool, Geoff James (Snr) of the Clovelly Surf Club proposed the building of a concrete swimming pool. One of the most compelling arguments for the creation of this pool was that its presence meant Randwick Council needed less concrete for the promenade! In 1994, the National Trust classified this 25-metre by 6-metre pool and listed it on its heritage register.
At the next meeting in February 1907, office bearers for the Little Coogee Swimming & Life Saving Association were elected.
The club’s first AGM was on 24th November 1907. During the year the name had changed to Little Coogee Swimming & Life Saving Club due to concerns from the Royal Life Saving Society.
In 1908, Little Coogee won the first surf boat race ever held at a surf carnival in Australia. This was at the inaugural Manly Surf Carnival in January 1908. They used lifeboats from whaling ships to row in ! The club also had its first clubhouse in 1908, a 12’ x 14’ wooden shed.
The “official” SLSA history book currently states that Clovelly affiliated with SLSA in 1914. It may be that the name change of the beach & suburb from Little Coogee to Clovelly in January 1914 caused the confusion. This name change was inspired by Little Coogee SWLSC President F.W. Howe due to similarities of the landscape at Little Coogee to his birthplace in Clovelly , Devon , England.
In the 1930s, Randwick Council announced plans to build an Olympic swimming pool and a sea wall using gangs of unemployed labour. Attempts were made to construct a breakwater across the mouth of the bay. The project plans were modified after winter storms washed away most of this sea wall, leaving behind a protective rocky reef now visible only at low tide.
In 1953, the Clovelly Winter Swimming Club was founded by Clovelly surf club members looking for a way to keep active in the winter months. They used Clovelly Bay as their swimming pool. (In 2009, the Clovelly Winter Swimming Club (the “Eskies”) elected the first female in the country to the position of President of a mixed winter swimming club (Lyn Chapman, also a patrolling member of the surf club during summer).
In 1962, as acknowledged by a plaque at the pool, Geoff James (Snr) of the Clovelly Surf Club proposed the building of a concrete swimming pool. One of the most compelling arguments for the creation of this pool was that its presence meant Randwick Council needed less concrete for the promenade! In 1994, the National Trust classified this 25-metre by 6-metre pool and listed it on its heritage register.
There have been published letters referring to an informal life saving group at Little Coogee (as Clovelly was known then) as early as 1904. Little Coogee was at the forefront of mixed & daylight sea bathing.
CONTACTS@CLOVELLY
Correspondence/Enquiries:
The Secretary
Clovelly SLSC
PO Box 2094
Clovelly NSW 2031
Club House: 9665 1441
Secretary,
Karon Lekeu: 0425 841 996
Fax:(02) 9315 7412
Email: secretary@clovellysurfclub.com.au
Club Captain:
Jim King
mobile: 0409 031 330
email: clubcaptain@clovellysurfclub.com.au
Nippers:
Nippers Chairperson:
Suzanne Young
Mobile: 0423 602 986
email: nippers@clovellysurfclub.com.au
Club House Hire:
Top Cat Catering: 0418 862 666
email: hire@clovellysurfclub.com.au