CALL OF THE BEACH

Evening Star, Issue 19768, 19 January 1928, Page 6

CALL OF THE BEACH

SUMMER AT BEAUTIFUL ST. GLAIR SURFING AND SWIMMING To be buffeted about in a cool whiteflecked surf while the sun pours down rays that seem to melt the marrow in the bones is one of the most exhilarating sensations that can be experienced. Thousands of Dunedin people, young, middle-aged, and older, have experienced it during the past few weeks at St. Clair, the call of the beach having brought people from all parts of the city and suburbs. And hundreds of children, who are now having their summer school holidays, enjoy themselves on warm days in paddling in the water. The beach at St. Clair is an animated scene these days. In the morning family parties and groups of friends arrive to spend the days on the sand with the kiddies, to whom the breath of ozone and the sunshine must do incalculable good. All the time bathers, in costumes of a variety of colors, are coming in and out of the surf, and multicolored sunshades on the sand give a picturesque and carnival touch to the scene. The children dash in and out of the water or play in the sand, their happy voices showing what a great time they are having.

Surfing is a fine tonic for tired minds and tired bodies. Life to-day is exacting, but the busiest could find time to get to the beach at least once a day when the sun is shining, especially in these days of daylight saving. The sun and the sea give strength, activity, virility, and renewed youth. No wonder those who frequent the beach in summer sigh for a return to clear and sunny skies when darkness falls so early, and chill in winter. “ Oh, to be on the beach now the summer’s here ” must be the tantalising thought of many when toiling over machine or desk on warm days. But Mr Sidey has made it possible for workers to get to the beach while the sun is still shining, and if those who finish work at five or six go straight, to the bench they have ample time to partake of its joys. Dunedin should be proud of its Ocean Bench, a two-mile stretch of sand from Lawyer’s Head to St. Clair. Smooth, clean, white sand is found all the way, which is more than can be said for many beaches with a reputation in New Zealand. Many places would give a lot to possess such a splendid bench. Surfing is safe when one does not venture out too far; all the pleasure of the pastime can be had in the first few breakers. The danger comes when those who can barely swim or not swim at all venture out too far. At St. Clair it is always advisable to bathe in between the posts marked on the beach by the Surf Club, and to keep with the crowd.

Sun-bathing does a lot of good, but it can be overdone. The Department of Health recently issued a circular stating that a famous medical man lias said with regard to sunlight treatment that a blister is a major blunder of technique. A healthily-tanned skin cannot lie acquired in a few days, and sea bathers should refrain from too sudden and reckless exposure of the body on hot beaches. Little children especially should wear shady hats. To prevent sunburning and protect the face, cold cream, simple talc powder, or even ordinary flour may ho used. To relieve the pain of sunburn, if acquired, a solution of bicarbonate of soda (one ieaspoonful to the pint of warm water) is useful, followed by a soothing application, cold cream, etc. Calamine lotion is also a good application for acute sunburn. The baths at St. Clair have - also been well patronised recently. These baths arc among the best of their kind in New Zealand—a, spkwidid pool of salt water that is cleaned out twice a day by the tides. To these baths conic many who prefer a swim to a dip in the surf. It would be advisable, in fact, if everyone learned to swim before going into the surf. And learning to swim is not such a difficult matter after all. The main essential is confidence. A human body, as a, matter of fact, can he propelled on the surface with astonishing ease if the learner has only enough pluck to lie flat on the surface instead of trying to stand upright. For (hose who do not swim or indulge in surfing there are many plea, surcs. A scat on the beach with ; book or a pipe in the sunshine is ful of joy amidst the beauties of Nature Then there is the invigorating walls along the sand or on the excellent path through the lupines from St. Clair 1# St, Kilda, or vice versa. The bench is an asset to Dunedin, and no doubt its attractions will ba still further enhanced when the re-cently-revived St. Clair Improvement Society commences its campaign.