ST. CLAIR SURF-BATHING CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 17467, 25 September 1920, Page 6

ST. CLAIR SURF-BATHING CLUB

The report to ho presented on Monday evening at the annual meeting of tho St., Clair Life-saving and Surfbathing Club states:— Last year we had to report that, owing to the lack of sunshine and also a succession of heavy southerly weather, tho surf-bathing season was verv unsatisfactory, and wo regret that similar adverse conditions prevailed throughout tho past summer. The beach remained very baro of sand and rocky during most of the season, and during periods of southerly weather it was sometimes quite unsafe for bathing. At the end of the summer the sea made further inroads into the beach, but with tho mild weather now being experienced the sand has built up again, and the beach is improving. It is satisfactory to record that an endeavor is being made by the Domain Board, assisted financially by the Government and the Dunedin and St. Kilda Councils, to effect something in the nature of a permanent improvement to the beach. It is hoped that tho groynes which are now being built will have the desired effect of permanently raising the level of the beach, and also preventing the southerlies from scouring out the sand. We regret to record that a fatality occurred during the season through a bather getting into a- strong backwash, which* carlied him off his feet, and he disappeared before tho life-line could reach him. The sea on that day was particularly dangerous, and bathers had frequently been warned to exercise caution. Owing to the unsatisfactory season, the membership shows a further falling off. Tho revenue amounted to £SB 14s 6d and the expenditure to £4l 10s od, leaving a surplus of £l7 4s Id for the year. If, however, the anticipations of a good beach for the coming season are realised, together with favorable weather, we may look forward to a prosperous and enjoyable season. In view of the fact that the swimming championships and the Nelson Shield surf competition will be held in Dunedin in February next, it is hoped that the active swimming members will take a greater interest in the life-saving section, and that a strong team will be available to uphold the honor- of the club.