surfresearch.com.au  newspapers : surf-shooting, 1910-1912

Mr Walter H. Biddell the well known surf enthusiast of Bronte was in Honolulu last month and there lectured on lifesaving methods and excited the Hawaiians' keen interest in the work In g>nn«r? what their local press described as "finished exhibitions of the noble art of lifesaving."
Honolulu has a population of 45,000 and is the home of surf bathing, which its tropical climate renders popular all year round.
Shooting the breakers in outrigger canoes and riding the rollers on surf board, about 10ft long there provides exhilarating sport, with occasional drowning accidents.
Large numbers assembled to witness the Sydney lifesaver's public demonstration which General Soper, Dr. Ramus (?), the U.S. Government Medical Officer, and others induced Mr Biddell to give.
The display corrected the mistaken idea that the R.L.S.S. methods of rescue and release were applicable only to smooth water conditions.
The great pains taken to demonstrate their effectiveness under all conditions evoked hearty appreciation.
Various movements were explained immediately before the instructor entered the water, and shown under most difficult circumstances in the water.
Dr. Ramus, who acted the part of a drowning subject, responded vigorously to the rescuer's direction that he should endeavour to break away, and in every way try to foil the rescuer's efforts, so that the methods might be severely tried.
They were proved effective, however, and the doctor was expeditiously landed and promptly resuscitated by the new shafer method, then introduced for the first time at Honolulu.
The Honolulu press made life saving the leading topic during Mr Biddell's visit with the result that widespread interest in the work of the work of the Royal Life-saving Society was aroused.
Dr. Ramus formed a large class of candidates anxious to learn the society's methods, and many Hawaiian surf bathers are now the better prepared for emergencies.

The North Steyne Surf Club held its third annual carnival at Manly on Saturday afternoon before a large attendence in excellent weather.
The following were the results:-
Pyjama and Kimono Parade. - H. J. Farrell, 1; O. Blackwell, 2.
Egg and Spoon Race - A. J. Cohen (Bondi)
Cockfight - Coghill and Challis.
Alarm Reel Race - Maroubra (H. W. Baker, J. I. Duff, S. Brown, N. T. Lucas, N. Broyvn, F. J. Fitzgerald).
Sack Race. - Brown.
Tug-of-War - Little Coogee, 1; North Steyne, 2.
Surf-shooting by Lady Surf-shooters - Miss Lewis, 1; Miss J. Sly, 2.
Pillow Fight - Hind.
Surf Race - S. Wright.
During the afternoon collection boxes were handed round, with the result that  £21 7s 7d was gathered in, Mrs. L. Naan being the most successful collector with £3 16s 5d.

Mdlle. De Dio and the Brothers Martine between them still give the best items in the Tivoli programme, the former by her illusion and the latter by their almost marvellous acrobatic feats.
A new attraction was however staged on Saturday- the Surf Nymph.
The lady uses the biograph to produce the illusion of the surf breaking on the shore but she herself appears in front of the sheet and by the aid of mechanical effects produces the effect to the beholders of actually sporting in the long rollers that come in.
Her gliding motion gives the idea of swimming, her momentary disappearances behind subsiduary screens at the physcological moments gave the illusion that she becomes covered by the waves, and her reappearances also as the psvchological moments keep up the illusion.
The fault, however, was that the turn was altogether too short.
Miss Olga Grey with her mimicry; Miss Lillie Langtry with her songs; Happ Tom Parker and several others in the variety part of the entertainment keep up the interest to the end.

Manly was en fete on Saturday's afternoon on the occasion of the third annual carnival of the Manly Surf Club.
In the morning people flocked down to The Village and early in the afternoon the accommodation of the ferry steamers was taxed to their utmost capacity.
An enormous crowd assembled at the scene of the carnival.
The whole affair was a great success from every point of view, the surf conditions were good and it was a beautifully fine day to spend by the sea.
Early in the morning parties took up positions on the hills overlooking the surf and picnicked there to be sure of their view point.
The proceedings commenced with a procession, which started from the pier.
Led by a body of mounted police, they marched through the Corso and several of the main streets before arriving at the beach.
There was a display supposed to represent the arrival of Lieutenant Shackleton and party at the South Pole and it included the party in costume, icebergs, walruses, seals, penguins and bears and the Pole itself.
The Amateur Fishermen's Assoclatlon had also an excellent displays, but Mr. Leslie Curnow won the group prize with a group representing the goddess of health surrounded by a number of little girls in bathing costumes lying about as though on the beach, in background being presented showing a picture of the sea and surf and sunrise.
There were other first-class groups representing the "Early Settlers' Camp" and "The Nark."
Several bands took part including the Manly Band and the Newtown Scottish Rifles Band who aftewards took up position on the beach and played some inspiring airs.
The life saving clubs also marched with their reels and life lines and created a noticeable impression on the thousands of spectators who cheered them heartily as they passed.
A large number of humorous characters were in evidence and the prize for the best sustained character was awarded to Mr George Bell (of the "Sydney Mail") who appeared as Professor David, a special prize being given to "Naughty Tottie", a young surf bather from Newcastle who appeared in a fashionable lady's costume.
The white creamy ponies and carriages of Manly took up the van of the procession and were occupied by Mr F. W. J. Donovan (president), Mr A. W. Relph (secretary) and the committee of the club.
Mr. A. E. P. Gurdon obtained the prize for the best decorated vehicle, a motor car which was handsomely decorated with flowers.

On arriving at the beach the competitions began.
The hills and beach were covered with a concourse of people, including some hundreds of invited guests who occupied seats in Mr. J. P. Wrights grounds overlooking the surf.
The competitions were contested with a keenness that is characteristic of the surf clubs and the interest of the spectators was aroused from start to finish, the events being run off without a moments delay ,sometimes two or more taking place at once.

Some excellent surf shooting was given by Messrs. Frank Bell, F. C. Williams, J. Holland and R. McKelvey and also by Misses Jessie and Agnes SIy and Miss Lewers.
The surf boat gave a number of exhibitions of shooting the breakers and was manned by Captain Stan Jones, A.A. Watson, Alf W. Bye, V. Rowlands and W.A. Kellam.
A spectacular event was the arrival of a raft from the sea manned by supposed survivors of a shipwreck.
As they came in on the surf, they were attacked by a band of cannibals from the beach and just in the nick of time were rescued bv a man-o-war crew in the surf boat.
There was much firing of guns and several of the niggers dropped as though shot.
The proceedings were -julie (?) realistic and the event brought forth rounds of cheers from the spectators.

During the afternoon a fine exhibition of life saving was given by a team of ladies.
The proceedings were carried out under the direction of Alderman F. W. T. Donovan and Mr. A. W. Relph.
Those managing the procession and displays were Mr. W. Tonge and Mr. G. Owens.
Others who helped considerably to make the carnival a success were Messrs. C. D. Pilcher, N. Ilcily, T. E. U. Smith and T. Gunning.
The ladies of Manly under Mrs. Sheridan's management made a collection and took up nearly  £40 ??
After pas ment of expenses it is intended to hand a third of the profit to the Manly Hospital and a third will be spent on life saving apparatus on the beach.
It Is expected that a profit of about £50 will result.

The results of the contests were as follows -
Alarm reel Race - Manly Surf Club 1, North Steyne Club 2, Maroubra Surf Club 3.
Wheelbarrow Race- Brown and Johnson (Coogee) 1.
Surf Race - Cecil Healy 1, S. S. Smith 2, S. Solomons 3.
Rescue and Resuscitation Competition- North Steyne 1, Bondi Surf-bathers 2, Cooeee Surf Brigade 3.
Pillow Fight- A. G. Mason (Manlv Surf Club) 1.
Cock Fight- Brown and Mendel (Coogee) 1.
Rescue and Resuscitation (Juniors) - Little Coogee- 1, Manly Surf Club 2, North Steyne 3.
Tug-of-War - Little Coogee
Boy Scout Race - F. Roberts.
In the evening Alderman Donovan entertained the Mayor of Newcastle (Mr. John Reid) and a number of officers of the Manly Surf Club at dinner at the Hotel Steyne.

The four masted barque Poltalloch, 2139 tons, which arrived at Sydney yesterday from Portland (Oregon), experienced a rough time from June 1, when about 100 miles off Sydney Heads,  a strong soultherly gale, with very high seas was encountered, and for 14 days the vessel was under lower topsails
The Poltalloch has a cargo of over 2,000,000 ft of timber, and the gale caused some of this to be damaged though none was lost overboard.
Slight damage to the deck fittings was also caused bv the gale.
The barque anchored in Watson's Bay at 6 o'clock last night.

Note:
The Poltalloch was identified by Tommy Walker as the vessel on which he visited Hawaii in 1909 and purchased his first surfboard.

- Noted in S&G Champion: Drowning, Bathing and Life Saving (2000) page 131.

"I have heard of surf shooting in Sydney," says "W.T.M." (Williamstown), "and, as I am spending some time at Sorrento, would like to know how to practise it.
Can you give me any hints."

You need to begin in shallows where you can stand on the bottom and get the benefit of a jump off with the wave.
Of beginners 99 per cent start too late.
You need to jump off just before the white wave crest appears on the wave which is breaking behind you.
You can only find the right moment by contiuous practice.
When you have judged it correctly in the shallows go out to deeper water.
Take the wave at the same time, making one sweep with your right arm and one kick of the left leg, the left arm being down along the side.
After tjhe first strong stroke the right arm, like the left lies along the side, the legs straight back.
It is altogether a matter of timing and balance, which you can learn with long practice.
In Sydney they say it takes two years' practice to make a good surf-shooter.

While use of surf boards is forbidden in Sydney, but where there are not so many people bathing you can do so fine shooting with it.
The board - as light as you an get it -should be 2ft or slightly under in length, and not more than 18in. in width.
Time the wave as already as suggested.
The board is gripped in the centre at each end, the further edge inclining upward from the water at an angle of less than 45 degrees.
It is held at arms length.
Try it only where there are not many people bathing together at one time.

Surf-bathing as a sport is, without doubt, one of our most popular diversions, and notwithstanding the fact that it is attended with an element of risk, as is evidenced by the recent calamity at Coogee, it is safe to say that it has come to stay.
Many of our regular surf-bathers have become highly expert in shooting the breakers, and their exploits in that fascinating pastime are at once the envy and the admiration of the novice.
But, after all, we are only children at the game.
Centuries ago the natives of Hawaii had attained a pitch of perfection at the art of surf riding which would leave our best exponents far in the rear, and the bronze skinned Hawaiian of to-day is just as expert as his ancestors.
There, however, the surf-board is in vogue, and almost incredible feats are performed by the expert riders.
It is quite a common thing for the surfer, standing on his board before the crest of a roller, to be carried over half a mile at Waikiki Beach, near Honolulu; while after a stormn, the rider can start his trip over a mile out to sea and be landed right up on the beach.
At HIIlo Bay there are rollers after a big storm that carry native riders 5 miles at a run, and on the island of Nichau there are

said to be even more wonderful feats performed.
To stand on these frail boards and guide them with the feet is itself an accomplishment requiring skill, nerve, and constant practice; but the Hawaiian riders leap from one board to another at full speed, climb on each other's shoulders; and perform other remarkable feats.
The natives have, however, a serious rival in the white man, who is becoming almost as expert on the surf-board.

A most interesting account of this sport, by one of the Honolulu experts, appears in a new magazine entitled the Mid-Pacific.
This periodical, which is splendidly got up, is published in Honolulu, one of its main objects being to promote tourist traffic across the Pacific, and to boom Honolulu, and other countries such as New Zealand and Australia, which would be included in the tourist's itinerary.
This is with out doubt a matter of great importance to the countries concerned, and the Commonwealth Government has shown its appreciation of the scheme by delegating Mr. Percy Hunter, the Director of the New South Wales Immigration and Tourist Bureau, to represent it at a Pan-Pacific Congress, which is to be held at Honolulu this month.
The Mid Pacific, if it obtains the circulation its promoters anticipate, should do a great deal to arouse interest in travel on this side of the world.

There are two kinds of boards for surf-riding.
One is called the olo, and the other the a-la-la, known also as omio.
The olo was made of wiiiwill- a very light, buoyant wood- some 3 fathoms long, 2 or 3 feet wide, and from 6 to 8 inches thick along the mlddle of ,the board, lengthwise, but rounding toward the edges on both upper and lower sides.
It is well known, that the olo was only for the use of the chiefs; none of the common people used it. They used the a-la-ia, which was made of koa, or ulu.
Its length and width was similar to the olo, except in thickness, it being but of 1 to 2 inches thick along Its centre.

The line of breakers is the place where the surf rises and breaks at deep sea.
This is called the kulana nalu.
Any place nearer or closer in, where the surf rises and breaks again, as it sometimes does, is called the ahua, known also as kipapa or puao.

There are only two kinds of surfing in which riding is indulged; these are called Kakala, known also as lauloa or long surf, and the ohu, sometimes called opuu.
The former is a surf that rises, covering the whole distance from one end of the beach to the other. This, at times, forms in successive waves that roll in with high, threatening crest, finally falling over bodily.
The first of a series of surf waves usually partakes of this character, and is never taken by a rider, as will be mentioned later.
The ohu is a very small comber that rises up without breaking, but of such strength that it sends the board on speedily.
This is considered the best, being low and smooth, and the riding thereon easy and pleasant, and is therefore preferred by ordinary surf-riders.
The lower portion of the breaker is called honun, or foundation, and the portion near a cresting wave is termed the muku side, while the distant, or clear side, as some have expressed it, is known as the lala.

During calmn weather, when there was no surf, there were two ways of mIaking or coaxing it practised by the ancient Hawaiians, the generally adopted method being for a swimming party to take several strands of the sea coavolvulus vine, and, swinging it around the head, lash it down unitedly upon the water until the desired result was obtained.

The swimmer, taking position at the line of breakers, waits for the proper surf.
As before mentioned, the first one Is allowed to pass by.
It is never ridden, because its front is rough.
If the second comber is seen to be a good one it is sometimes taken, but usually the third or fourth is the best, both from the regularity of its breaking and the foam-calmed surface of the sea through the travel of its predecessors.

In riding with the olo or thick board, the board is pointed landward, and the rider, mounting it, paddles with his hands and impels with his feet to give the board a forward movement, and when it receives the momentum of the surf, and begins to rush downward, the skilled rider will guide his course straight, or obliquely, apparently at will, according to the spending character of the surf ridden, to land himself high and dry on the beach, or dismount on nearing it, as he may elect.
This style of riding was called kipapa.
In using the olo great care had to be exercised in its management, lest from the height of the wave- if coming in direct - the board would be forced into the base of the breaker, instead of floating lightly and riding on the surface of the water, in which case, the wave-force being spent, the reaction throws both rider and board into the air.

In the use of the olo the rider had to swim around the line of surf to obtain position, or be conveyed thither by canoe.
To swim out through the surf with such a buoyant bulk was not possible, though it was sometimes done with the thin boards, the a-la-ia.
These latter are good for riding all kinds of surf, and are much easier to handle than the olo.

Kaha nalu is the term used for surf swimming without the use of the board, and was done with the body only.
The swimmer, as with a board, would go out for the position, and, watching his opportunity, would strike out with hands and feet, to obtain headway, as the approaching comber, with its breaking crest, would catch him, and with his rapid swimming powers bear him onward with swift momentum, the body being submerged in the foam, the head and shoulders only being seen.
Kalha experts could ride on the lala, or top of the surf, as if riding with a board.

Notes:
The except is likely to be from:
Duke Kahanamoku: Riding the Surfboard, Part 1.
Mid-Pacific Magazine, Volume 1 Number 1, January 1911.
"Conducted by Alexander Hume Ford"
or
Duke Kahanamoku: Riding the Surfboard, Part 2.
Mid-Pacific Magazine, Volume 1 Number 2, February 1911.
The text, largely reproduced from Thrum's Hawaiian Surfriding (1886), is discussing ancient surfriding, and not contemporary practice.

Also see:
Percy Hunter : July Skiing in Australia.
Extracts from The Mid Pacific Magazine, January, 1911.

The customary procedure in the surf at Manly when a channel is formed is for men to be continually rescuing ladies from the dangerous water.
This, however, was reversed about 9.30 o'clock yesterday morning, when Miss Ivy Schilling, the well-known dancer of "Our Miss Gibbs" Company, saved Mr. Tom Walker, one of the most skilful surfers who frequent the South Steyne beach.

Walker had been shooting the breakers for some time, when a wave carried him into deep water.
He states that he then was seized with violent cramp in the stomach, and threw up his hands.
Jack Reynolds, the Manly life-saver, was basking on the beach, not being on duty; and he took no notice of Walker going under for the simple reason that he knew him to be a strong swimmer.
Walker said he realised this would likely occur, and felt his position to be all the more desperate on that account.
Just as he was faced with this ordeal he noticed someone swimming strongly towards him.
He was taken hold of, and assisted into shallow water.
By this time "Happy" Eyre, the relieving beach attendant, had dashed in to his assistance.
Both were surprised to see that Walker's rescuer was a girl.
She had handled the emergency coolly and expertly, and there was considerable enthusiasm when she helped the beach attendant drag Walker out of the water.
After working on the young man for some minutes he recovered.
Walker attributes his trouble to going into the water too soon after breakfast.

The annual carnival of the Freshwater Surf and Life-saving Club was held on Saturday afternoon in glorious weather.
Frewshwater beach ranks as the premier surf bathing beach in the State, and it was not surprising to see such a large crowd present to witness the various displays.
The feature of the Freshwater carnival is the fancy dress procession from the Manly pier to the beach, a distance of nearly two miles.
Close on 50 members, attired in all varieties of costumes, formed the procession and a huge crowd escorted them through the Corso and along the ocean beach at North Steyne to the rendovous. Thousands had congregated on the various points of vantage, and the scene on the heights of Queenscliff overlooking the beach was very picturesque.
A large committee controlled the arrangements but the bulk of the work was entrusted to the hon. secretary,  Mr W. R. Waddington.
The carnival was the most succesful yet held by the club.

A feature of the day's events was the fine surf-shooting by the Misses Lewers of Queenscliff.
The Manly Surf Club's boat was in evidence, and several successful trials through the breakers were made.
Mr. Fred Notting again contributed to the programme by venturing through the surf in his frail canoe, "The Big Risk."
North Steyne suffered defeat at the hands of the Manly Surf Club team No 2.
This is the first time the black and gold has been defeated for some years.

The results were as follow:-
Dusting the Beltman - Wyman (Stockton), 1; Moxon (Little Coogee), 2.
Rescue and Rescuscitation competition -  Manly No. 2., 1; Manly No. 1., 2; Bondi Surf Club, 3.
Apple Race - Levi (Freshwater), 1; Wyman (Stockton), 2.
Obstacle Race - Moxon (Little Coogee), 1; Fraser (Freshwater), 2.
Alarm Reel Race - Manly No. 3, 1; North Steyne, 2.
Pushball Match - Manly, 1.
Pillow Fight - Knight (Little Coogee), 1; Mane (Freshwater), 2.
Climbing Greasy Pole - Knight (Little Coogee), 1; Mason (Freshwater), 2.

The fourth annual carnival of the Manly Surf Club was held on Saturday jn delightful weather.
Crowds flocked to the beach to witness the entertainments and displays by the various clubs and the numerous water champions.
The Manly and Port Jackson Steamship Company had a frequent service of boats, and at times the Corso and the beach were one mass of moving humanity.
At the rendezvous at the southern end of the beach good order prevailed, a barricade having been erected to give the competítors sufficient freedom to carry on the displays.
This year's carnival was conducted without the usual fancy dress proccession from the wharf.
On the beach, however, the spectators were well catered for, the proceedings opening with a grand parade of all the surf clubs, with their life saving appiaratus and appliances.
The teams dressed in costume marched past in excellent order and received an ovation from the crowd.
A feature of the day's entertainment was the magnificent surf-shooting; by the clubs.
Individual surf-shooting on boards was also indulged in and the Hawaiian troupe of board shooters, gave exhibition which was loudly applauded.
The lifesaving boat was not available but a small canoe steered by Mr Fred Notting, of Manly, made many successfuul shoots through the breakers.
A team from the members of the Manly Ladíes Life-savng Club gave a capital exhibition of the work of lifesaving.
An unusual and novel event was arranged for the termination of this year's carnival.
Manly showed the vast gathering the tactics likely to he displayed by an invasion of the "Yellow Peril."
Port Darwin was selected as the scene and a large army of "Brown Boys" made elaborate preparation to have a successful display.
The Chinese had overthrown the marine defenders by cunning and deceitful methods, but were subsequently met face to face with a large army of the hardy surf club members, reinforced by a troup of boy scouts, who played great havoc with the invaders.
The noise and din of the throng were sufficient to expel any enemy without firing a shot.
Cannons roared, however, and the spectators were worked up to a great pitch of excitement.

The Manly Council had given the club permission to take up a collection and a nice sum was annexed during the day.

The results of the various competitions were as follows:-
Fancy Dress Three legged Race: Nicholls Brothers (North Steyne), 1; Watson and Munro (Manly Surf Club), 2; Cavill and Healy, 3.
The costumes worn were many and varied in the fancy dress parade, the winner being disguised as "Blue Bottle King,  I. Curnow was successful for first place; Roy Lawrence (for Harem skirt), second; A. Watson (Chinaman) for most original.
North Steyne secured the verdict for the grand parade, with Port Kembla second.
Rescue and Resuscitation Competition: North Steyne, 54.1 points, 1; Manly No. 1, 51.3 points; Manly No. 2,  36.3 points, 3.
Other teams competing were Port Kembla, Coogee and Freshwater.
Surf Race:  J. Grieve (Bondi), 1; J. Lord (Bondi), 2.
Alarm Reel Race: Coogee 2m 14s, 1; North Steyne No. 1 2m 17s,  2.
Pillow Fight: F. Knight (Little Coogee), 1; H. Davis (North Steyne),  2.

The North Steyne Club has forwarded for confirmation to the Surf Bather's Association a programme for the club's annual carnival.
Fifteen life-saving clubs will be represented, and an exhibition of surf-shooting by Mr. L. Bouffett, of Norfolk Island will be given.

- Noted in S&G Champion: Drowning, Bathing and Life Saving (2000) page 159.

Notes:
Mr L. Bouffett was probably a decendant of John Buffett who arrived on Pitcairn Island in December, 1823 on  the British whaler, Cyrus.
The Pitcairn islanders, largely decenced from Bounty mutineers and Tahitian women, were renowned surfriders.
See Ramsay: Pitcairn Island (1821).

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