SURFING. SPORT ON THE BEACH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 91, 19 April 1911, Page 11

SURFING. SPORT ON THE BEACH.

SYDNEY—WITH A LOCAL APPLICATION. Surf bathing has become the chief pastime of the people of Sydney — so fhe Melbourne Argus begins an interesting article on breaker-shooting, surfing, and the life-savers. In time (we may add) it may become equally popular here in Wellington, which, too, .has her fine stretches of sea beaches waiting to be made equally as attractive as the more favoured beach resorts that lie near Sydney. It is estimated that on a warm Saturday or Sunday over 100,000 people enter the surf on the numerous ocean beaches, within easy reach of the New South Wales metropolis. The surf at Maroubra and Cronulla (says the Argus) has become so popular that the value of land in the vicinity has gone up 400 or 500 per' cent., and the New South Wales Government is hastening the construction of electric railroads to carry the people to them. These new beaches were needed, as the three main rasorts at Manly, Bondi, and Coogee were becoming unpleasantly overcrowded. Such an infatuation has surf bathing, and especially "breaker-shooting," become that it is said that surfers in Sydney seek employment, even at a smaller remuneration, which will give them more freedom for the indulgence of their passion. In Sydney the fashionable col-, our is mahogany — -brought about by libations of coconut oil and ,the warm sun in conjunction on Caucasian complexions. And this spells health, health. THE "STOCKING BRIGADE." Of course (says the article) bathing Is mixed.. Women -are as enthusiastic about the surf as men. Some of them ¦ — not many — are clever breaker-shoot-ers; but as a rule the women bathers keep to the. inner breakers, where their shrill cries as every wave breaks proclaim their presence. All kinds of costumes are worn, but these are gradually becoming standardised, and the close-fit-ting Canadian costume of knitted worsted is the most common. It con- ¦ sists of two garments, and the thick ¦ wool helps to keep the bather warm in the cold ocean water. On every beach there are some — nearly, always women — who are eccentricaUy"clad. . The police, who patrol the beaches, see that no costume offends the public notion of decency. There are very few cases of this sort. Indeed, eccentricities of costume are generally due to the wearer's desire to appear more fnlly clothed than custom demands. Hence it is that there is a "stocking brigade" on most beaches. A story is told of how a noted lady surf-swimmer rescued a mere man from a treacherous undertow at Manly* LIFE-SAVERS. A great deal of zest (it is pointed out) is added to the enjoyment of surf bathing by the knowledge that it is a dangerous sport. The treacherous undertows have claimed many victims, and would claim more but for the surf clubs of life-savers. "Only experienced breaker-shooters can safely reckon ori escape unaided from the undertow. The ordinary swimmer soon becomes exhausted, and, without help, drowns.- A splendid system of life-saving has been, organised. Surf clubs are formed, and connected with every club is a corps of honorary life-savers, who are specially trained in breaker work and restoration of the apparently drowned. Danger boards and red flags are set up wherever the surf is unsafe, and the "bathers are required to keep within the limits of safety, .All* .day -the 'beach is patrolled by 'life-savers* '-in' 1 surf costume, wearing distinguishing badges on their breasts. Along the .beach are set reek. Each reel has its crew, changing every hour or two,- who 'stand by all day. The captain of the club or the captain for the. day watches" the surf from some vantage point. As soon, as he sees a bather in distress he blows his whistle. The nearest life-line is at once taken out by its reel crew. One man jumps into the life-belt, and dashes out into tho surf, the line being supported by other members of the crew, so as to keep the weight off the man in the belt. He, running, plunging, swimming, and diving through the waves, makes his way out to the distressed swimmer. The very undertow which swept the swimmer, out a-nd exhausted him .helps the progress of tho life-saver, who seems, to move at lightning pace. When the bather in distress is reached, the lifesaver turns on his back, . grasps the I bather under the armpits, and signals to the men on the reel. They at once j commence to wind in. the life-line, and rescuer ancl rescued are drawn to the shore. In the shallows other life-savers meet them. The rescued one, if too exiausted to stand, "or if apparently drowned; is carried ashore, and the Schaefer system' of resuscitation at once applied. Higher up the beach are am-bulance-rooms, and on some beaches ' a uniformed ambulance corps. Hot water, blankets, and other restoratives are always ready there, and the patient is speedily given such treatment that he rapidly .recovers. The number of deaths from drowning in the surf is few indeed, and this is due solely to the admirable methods of life-saving adopted, and the splendid system of attendance and treatment." WHAT WELLINGTON IS DOING. So far Wellington has not made very i much improvement of that marvellously fine crescent of beach at Lyall Bay. Dressing and luncheon sheds have been . erected, and a permanent caretaker has been appointed. The Wellington Surf Club maintains a reel at the bay, but there is foom for more such appliances and practised surfers. When the corporation has earned out its perfected plans at Lyall Bay (as outlined in The Post some time ago), it may expect an increased tram traffic and the thanks of ten thousand citizens. But it should not wait until the season begins before making a start with its work. By the time next summer' 1 swings round frequenters of the happy sands should find at least a portion of the City Council's extensive beach projects in being.