SURF-BATHING SEASON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 63

SURF-BATHING SEASON.

OPENED ON SATURDAY,

After considerable vexations delay and disappointment the surf bathing season was opened by the Pacific Surf Bathing Club on Saturday afternoon. The weather was not all that could be desired, but the rain held off. sufficiently to allow of the first formal dip of the season being indulged in by some two dozen men and about half a dozen hidies Over 500 of the general public found their way to the Fprbury portion of the Ocean Beach, where the opening was held, but they did not make a lengthy stay owing to the threatening nature of the weather. The new life-saving reel, a nice, serviceable and portable appartus, was in position, and was inspected with interest.

Mr 11. M. Ewing (the Mayor of St. Kilda who is also president of the club), in a few remarks made previous to r'm o m rs entering the water, referred to the delay that had taken place over the opening of the season. Unfortunately in November tho elements had been much against them, but they were now favoured with an improved condition of things. He desired to impress upon those who were going into the water not to venture out too far. and so avoid the possibility of danger. They did not want a repetition of the unfortunate accidents that had happened. Several members the club were giving instruction in life-saving, and they had now the new life-saving reel, the gift of Messrs A. Thomson and Co.' Ho would like to intimate that next year they honed a team would come over from Australia; in fact an indication of willingness in that direction had been given. The Australian swimmer* would give an exhibition, and would also lake part in the life-saving competitions. They had made some improvements to the beach, and in this way they had been assisted bv the Domain Board. They hoi>ed that memJbers of the public., although not engaging in swimming, would become members of the club, and that, with the additional means at its disposal, the club would he enabled to make the baaoh still safer for bathing. He formally declared the season open. The men then entered the water, and their example was followed by the_ ladies, Mr Ewing's hint as to not venturing too far being wisely acted upon, as there waa a fairly hcavv surf running.