Clip description
This segment from an Australasian Gazette newsreel from approximately 1929 shows a Scottish pipe band leading the opening parade of a surf carnival at Bondi Beach, Sydney. Surf clubs including North Bondi, Maroubra, Curl Curl, Clovelly, Collaroy and Manly participate. The clip ends with a surf-lifesaving demonstration using the reel, line and belt.
Curator’s notes
An Australian icon, Bondi Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Surf-lifesaving began at Bondi in 1906 and surf carnivals have become a strong part of Australian beach culture.
Surf-lifesaving clubs are formed from volunteers that patrol the beach during summer ensuring the wellbeing of its visitors. In this newsreel we see them performing a march past, various sand races and a lifesaving demonstration as part of a surf carnival. This newsreel records the old reel equipment and methods used in lifesaving.