surfresearch.com.au    history : before duke

before duke 1890 - 1914

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Shooting the Breakers, Manly. Hall & Co.
Body surfing at Manly Beach  circa 1905
 Hall & Co. Postcard, Postmarked February 1908.

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The referenece is fully accredited as
Steedman, Charles: Manual of Swimming, including plunging, diving, floating, scientific swimming training, drowning and rescueing.
Henry Tolman Dwight, Melbourne 1867, page 267.
Brawley (2007), page 323.

In the 1890's, Alick Wickham, a native of the Solomon Islands, had an profound influence on Australian swimming by introducing the ‘crawl’ stroke, which would be later exported to the rest of the world as the 'Australian Crawl'.
Around the same time another South Sea Islander, Tommy Tana, a youth employed as a houseboat in the Manly district, was introducing body surfing to Australia.
From the Pacific island of Tana, (New Hebrides, now Vanuatu) he amazed onlookers at Manly Beach with his skill at using the power of a wave to ride back to the beach.
His style was studied and copied by Manly swimmers, notably Eric Moore, Arthur Lowe and Freddie Williams, considered the first local to master the sport.
Enthusiasm for surf riding expanded such that Manly surfers were invited to demonstrate the technique at other metropolitan beaches, ultimately including Newcastle and Wollongong.
Maxwell pages 6 -11.
Greg McDonagh in Pollard page 55.
Harris pages 4-5.
Thoms page 14.

Alick Wickham circa 1908 Thoms page 13	Fred Williams circa 1920 Margan and Finney page 52

In the 1890's residents Manly and Bondi formed the All Day Surfing Movement, resulting in some relaxation with bathing hours extended to 7.30 am at Manly.
(Thoms page 14).
Before 1902, bathing on open beaches was prohibited between 7.30 am and 6 pm but strong representation from a growing group of enthusiasts at Bondi, Randwick Council passed by-laws to allow daylight bathing in November 1902.
Other beach side suburbs, e.g. Manly, passed similar bylaws.
Pauline Curby :Seven Miles from Sydney : A History of Manly

Note that many accounts credit the lifting of bathing restrictions to William Gocher, editor of the Manly and North Sydney News.
For example Maxwellreports that Gocher took up the cause and in November 1903, and after an often facial campaign - he was finally arrested for illegal bathing on his fourth much publicized attempt, he was successful in removing  bathing hour restrictions by Manly Council. (pages 5 and 6.)
Current research by Pauline Curby  indicates that the Goucher role may be less than previously thought.

See the relevant extract at Source Documents : Pauline Curby : The Myth of William Gocher

The upsurge in popularity of surf bathing resulted in many tragedies (16 at Manly in 10 years), and authorities and regular surfers were aware that the general public would need to be either regulated or monitored.
This would be the impetus for the formation of the Surf Life Saving movement.

The increase in surf bathing numbers also saw some enthusiasts retreat from popular beaches, for example Manly locals would 'escape' to Freshwater, originally pioneered by Freddie Williams.
When the
"suburbanites found 'Freshie' too .. We used to abuse the living daylights out of those we brought in (rescued). Put them off coming back to 'Freshie' pretty often. Suited us!"

The first surf life-saving demonstration was given by the  Sly Brothers (George, Charlie, Tod, Eddie, Joe and relative Neil Norgreen - Galton page 13) at Manly Beach on 26th December 1903.
The demonstration featured 'rescues' using their fishing boat and Freddie Williams and other local swimmers  as the ‘victims’.
The boat was originally a clinker built doubled whaler, converted to a tuck stern for laying nets, and  based at Fairy Bower (Shelly Beach).
Onlookers 'witnessed. .. skilful exhibitions of shooting the breakers in their surfboat'
- a contemporary press report. Maxwellpage 21.

Royal Life Saving Buoy and Reel, circa 1890's Lecek and Bosker page 122 (Bettman Archives)	The Sly Brothers and boat, circa 1905 Harris page 7

At Bronte, local surfers moved the fixed pole to the most populous section of the beach, only to be condemned for vandalism by the press.
Maxwell, page 24..
Walter V. H. Biddell an enthusiastic supporter and organizer of surf life saving founded the  Bronte Life Saving Brigade in 1903.
Galton page 12.
He also was responsible for the invention of the Torpedo Buoy 1902, the Surf King 1906 and a surf boat, the Albatross, circa 1907.
The Torpedo Buoy was a kapok filled tube attached to a line, the rescuer swimming the appliance to the victim. For a time this method was used as well as the cork filled belt.

Walter V. H Biddell's Torpedo Buoy circa 1902 - 6 Postcard format, the text reads... "AT ALARM"  At Bronte Dr. Lee's Torpedo Buoy  To The Rescue No. 6 Kerry Sydney Longhurst page 9 Note :  1. Studio portrait 2. Standard combination swimming costume. 3. Club Insignia ? 4. Dr. Lee is not credited in any other reference.

Reel and Torpedo buoy in use Bronte Beach circa 1906 Postcard format, the text reads... Bronte... "A Perilous Rescue,  The Start Out."  666. K & Co. Longhurst page 54

Circa 1905, Frank and Charlie Bell attempt to ride "a narrow outhouse door" at Freshwater.
Maxwell page 235.

By this time bodysurfing has become an established feature of beach life and is promoted on postcards  -
See example , above : Shooting the Breakers

The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club was formed in February 1906, the first club house a tent in the dunes. It was followed by Bronte Surf Life Saving Brigade in May, and Manly Surf Club in September 1907.

The Bondi Club formed a Lines and Tackle Committee under club captain, Lyster Ormsby and Major John Bond (a Royal Australian Medical Corps officer and instructor) and S. Fullwood (Honorary Secretary).
The committee immediately recommended replacing the life buoy ring with a cork filled life-jacket (sometimes known as the Ross Safety belt) and sought to improve the handling of the lines.
Lyster Ormsby, with Percy Flynn and Sig Fullwood, are credited as the inventors of the 'first' life saving reel in 1906, initially a home made model from a cotton reel and hair pins.
However it appears some type of reel had already been in operation at Manly; W. H. Biddell at Bronte used a crude reel attached to his Torpedo Buoy (see image above) around this time, and a Mr. Stewart and a Mr. Phillip have claimed they designed a reel for Tammarra pre 1906.
Mr. Olding, the builder, has also claimed the credit for the design of the Bondi reel.
Maxwellpages 26-27.
Bloomfield notes the existence of primitive early reels consisting "of drums ... protruderances on either side, designed to be held in the hands .. of the rescue team'' - page 6.

A reel was constructed by coach builders, Olding and Parker of Newcombe Street, Paddington; and had its first trial at Bondi Beach on December 23, 1906.
The drill was formulated by John Bond.
After some modification, it was first used in the rescue of two boys on the 4th January 1907.
One of those rescued was Charles Kingsford Smith, later to gain fame as an pioneer aviator.

The Bondi reel was adopted by other clubs, but not all used the cork filled life-jacket.
Some clubs persisted with the life buoy, while Biddell's Bronte Brigade first used the Torpedo Buoy, and later a cork less life-jacket to assist swimming.
After the various clubs associated in 1907, cork filled belts became standard for competition, much to the chagrin of W. H... Biddell,  and others who argued that the buoyancy retarded the swimmer.
For the Australian Surf Life Saving movement the reel was to become a centrepiece  - as an appliance, insignia and icon.

Discontinued from modern rescue methods since the 1990's, the reel remains as the logo for many Surf Life Saving Clubs and occupies centre stage in the March Past (a competitive March by teams of life-savers carrying the reel).
The belt and reel was responsible for many successful rescues, however its performance could be unreliable. The length of extended rope was susceptible to weed or snagging, and efficient operation required a well trained team, not always available in emergency situations.
A number of lifesavers lost their lives using the belt and reel, on one occassion durng competition.
The continued used of this appliance for nearly 70 years is typical of a conservative approach of the SLSA that persisted with the cork filled belt; ignored the Torpedo Buoy (reintroduced from the USA in the 1950's and, successfully, in the 1990's), swim fins/flippers and the fibreglass Malibu board; and was slow to replace surfboats with mechanical surfcraft.

Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, December 1906 Illustrates the newly modified reel and cork filled vest. Compare this with the much cruder model in use with the Torpedo Buoy at Bronte, illustrated above. Margan and Finney page 50. Galton page 12.

Walter V. H. Biddell's Albatross, 1907 A four man surfboat with fore and aft buoyancy tanks. Left : Maxwellpage 81 and below, a different shot with a line running out from the beach , and a dog in the shore break., Longhust page 54

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The various Sydney clubs meet on 18th October 1907 to form The Surf Bathing Association of New South Wales.
Representatives from nine surf clubs/brigades were present  (Manly, Bondi, Coogee, Bronte, Bondi Surf and Social Club, Tamarama, Maroubra, Woollahra, United Wanders), and  representatives from the Royal Life Saving Society and the N.S.W.. Amateur Swimming Association.
Galton page 13.

The first Surf Carnival was held on January 25th 1908 at Manly Beach.
Six clubs competed and the first surfboat race, with various craft, was won by Little Coogee (now Clovelly) in their whale boat.
These Carnivals quickly become a popular method of revenue for the Live Saving Clubs, the moneys from gate receipts used to purchase gear and improve facilities.
(Maxwell, pages 90, 202-204)
Tamarama Carnival attracted fifteen thousand spectators in February 1908.

	First surf carnival at Manly, 25th January 1908 Margan and Finney  pages 54 -55

Circa 1908  'Fred Notting painted a brace of slabs and named them Honolulu Queen and Fiji Flyer; gay they were to look at but they were not surfboards.'
Maxwell page 235.

In the same year a purpose built surf boat was provided by Manly Council for Manly Surf Club.
Based on the previously used whaler design, double ended clinker built with oars Nos. 2 and 3 rowing side-by-side on the centre thwart.
The designer is unknown.
Harris page 44.

Manly's first surfboat,  Designer unknown.  Crew :  Stan Jones (sweep), Bill Kellman, Alf Bye, Alan Wright and Alec W. Watson. This photograph Newcastle exhibition, March 5, 1910. Harrispage 44

Amoungst  the many experimental life saving techniques and craft explored by the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, circa 1908 an elaborate system of signal flags was trialed. Beach scene below, signal man in detail, left. Longhustpage 54

Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, 1909 Maxwell page 17. Centre is the current 1909 reel,  At the front a pre -1906 hand held model.

West's Pictures (a production and exhibition company) release the first newsreel of a surf demonstration, Surf Sports at Manly in 1909.
Pathe Animated Gazette  featured a demonstration in Parramatta River, Sydney, by Coogee Surf Life Saving Club members, circa 1910.
Thoms  page 14.
It is impossible to over estimate the impact of such media exposure in this era; the footage would have been shown extensively around the country and possibly screened several times at each venue.

In Western Australia a club was formed at Cottesloe Beach,  circa 1909.
On the East coast, established clubs travelled for demonstrations to metropolitan beaches and as far as Tweed Heads (East Coast Bondi Club).
Galton page 13.

Alby Thoms  (page 20) reports that, C.D. Paterson of Manly brought the first known solid wood Hawaiian Alaia to Australia in 1909 on returning from a world tour.
First unsuccessfully tested at North Steyne, the board was eventually  retired to the family home at the Spit to be used as a ironing board.
Note that several other commentators date this board as 1912, see below.
This board is said to be currently held by the  Australian Surf Museum, Manly.

 The North Steyne Club journeyed to Newcastle, circa 1911, for a demonstration of surfing and lifesaving techniques.
The squad included Edward 'Appy' Eyre, Freddie Williams, beltman Rohan McKelvey and The Sly Brothers with their boat.
The locals were impressed with "the double banking of Charlie Bell and Ralph Durer on a small board measuring 1 1/2 foot by 1 1/2 foot "
- W. H.. Commins, first treasurer of North Steyne Club and the Surf Bathers' Association.
Quoted in Maxwell page 37.

C.B. Maxwell  (page 235) and Reg  Harris  (page 53) report that .C.D. Paterson of Manly brought the first known solid wood Hawaiian Alaia to Australia in 1912 on returning from a world tour.
First unsuccessfully tested at North Steyne, the board was eventually  retired to the family home at the Spit to be used as a ironing board.
Note that Thoms page 20, dates this board as 1909, see above.
The earlier the board did arrive in Australia then references to other surfers who made copies of the board are more plausible.
This board is said to be currently held by the Australian Surf Museum, Manly.

In 1912, the Daily Telegraph (27 January, page 21) reported  on the second Freshwater Life Saving Carnival held on the 26 January.
A detailed account of the days events included the following comments...

"A clever exhibition of surf board shooting was given by Mr. Walker, of the Manly Seagulls Surf Club. With his Hawaiian surf board he drew much applause for his clever feats, coming in on the breaker standing balanced on his feet or his head."

Note that a Mr. " Walker " is included in the lists of early boardriders by both Maxwell and Harris, below.

Following the arrival of C.D. Paterson’s board a small group attempt surfriding on replica boards. ...
A. the Walker Brothers, Steve McKelvey, Jack Reynolds, Fred Notting and Basil Kirke
Maxwell  page 235.
B. Jack Reynolds, Norman Roberts, Geoff. Wyld, Tom Walker, Claude West (aged 13) and Miss Esma Amor
Harris pages 53-54
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Made from Californian redwood by Les Hinds, a local builder from North Steyne, they were 8 ft long, 20" wide, 11/2" thick and weighed 35 pounds.
Riding the boards was limited to launching onto broken waves from a standing position and riding white water straight in, either prone or kneeling.
Standing rides on the board for up to 50 yards/metres were considered outstanding.

Cronulla, Newcastle, and Stockton Life Saving Clubs joined the Surf Bathing Association by 1913.
Galton page 13.
.
In the same year Freshwater Club held a canoe race, won by a junior, Dick Matheson.
Alf Henderson in Myers page 85.

In the Illawarra, Thirroul Surf life Saving Club appealed to the Bulli council to regulate “boards shooting waves in the surf”, circa 1913 .
Middleton and Figtree, page Ten.

Fred Notting designed the first boat strictly for surf rescue, commissioned by Manly Surf Life Saving Club in 1913.
After studying rough water craft from around the world, Notting based his design on the Norwegian work boat - a 24 foot double -ender of white huon pine with exaggerated rocker.
Built by Holmes of Lavender Bay for 36 pounds (sans gear and oars) it was christened M.L.S.C., but was more commonly known as the 'Banana' boat due to the accentuated rocker.
Maxwell  pages 91 -92; Harris pages 44-45.

The M.L.S.C. - 'The Banana Boat' Manly Surf Life Saving Club's Second boat. Designed by Fred Notting. Photographed at the Deewhy's first carnival, 1913 - 1914. Crew : (from left to right) : Bill Piggott, Sid. McAulciffe, Fred Notting (pipe), Geoff Wyld and R. Quinn Harrispage 44

On Sunday 22nd February 1914, the day after Deewhy's first carnival, seven swimmers were washed out to sea in a strong northerly rip.
All  were rescued using the newly introduced belt and reel but two boys, O. Overton and H. Starkey, were swept towards Long Reef.
Manly club member, Jack Talyor took a fishing skiff from the beach and accompanied by H. Duckworth from Maroubra (to bale), managed to rescue the boys.
The success of the rescues resulted  in bravery awards for the lifesavers from Warringah Shire, and an unheard of donation of  1250 pounds, distributed amongst the Shire's five Surf Life Saving Clubs.

These funds were used to improve buildings and equipment, most significantly a sufboat for each club.
Based on Fred Notting's design, although a few feet shorter, the boats were built by Holmes of Lavender Bay at a total cost of 135 pounds.
The new boats were delivered to Freshwater, Deewhy, Collaroy, Narrabeen and Newport clubs in the first months of 1915.
Maxwell, pages 94 -99.

Jack Talyor , O. Overton,  H. Starkey and  H. Duckworth and boat. Participants in an extreme rescue at Deewhy, 22 February 1914. Maxwellpage 81	Prone board circa 1912 Coolangatta Harvey page 8

At Deewhy, before 1914, 'Long Harry' Taylor "made a board resembling an old-fashioned church door, but his efforts in the surf were so futile they became ridiculous."
Thomas page 30.

In an account of Duke Kakhanamoku's visit to Cronulla in 1915, the commentator notes...
"While there were already surfboard exponents on our own and other metropolitan beaches, Duke Kahanamoku first focused public attention on surfboard riding in NSW."
Duke visits Cronulla, 1915

 A photograph taken at Freshwater in 1914 shows several handboards carried by juvenile surfers.
The use of small boards was common in Hawaii and the USA in 1900's, particularly as beginner or juvenile craft in preparation for larger boards, but is less documented in the literature than full size boards.
It is possible that some Hawaiian knowledge and/or boards did reach Australia in this period, as in the case of Grace Wooton-Smith in 1915.

The 14 years since the turn of the century saw a rapid growth in surf bathing and surfriding.
The Surf Life Saving movement had been firmly established and there were the beginnings of an Australian beach culture.
Various craft  (surfboats, the Sea King, prone and standing boards) had been used in Australian waves and there was a knowledge of Hawaiian surfriding.
The arrival in Australia of Olympic swimmer and famed Hawaiian surfer, Duke Kahanamoku, was eagerly anticipated.

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Dr. Victor Coppelson (centre) and other bodysurfers, circa 1912.
Forbes in Myers, Frontpiece

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Inglis, Gordon : 1912 Sport and Pastime in Australia Methuen and Co Ltd., 36 Essex Street W.C. London Hard cover, 308 pages, 49 black and white plates, Index. * Extensive coverage of many Australian sports, the notes on surfing detailing a high level of enthusiasm for this new sport. It of course precedes the visit by Duke Kahanamoku in the summer of 1914-1915. Extract :  THE JOYS OF THE SURF and LIFE-SAVING CLUBS pages 248 - 252

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