1901 to 1914

Federation of the Australian colonies in 1901 meant competitive sport developed a more national focus. This had little direct impact on the beach and bathing culture. Federation also to helped trigger a re-organisation of the system of local government in NSW.

Local government ordinances limiting daylight bathing along the NSW coast were successfully challenged at Manly in 1903 and soon after on Sydney's eastern suburbs beaches. Coastal councils began to amend their bylaws to permit daylight surf bathing. Some Councils attempted to enforce segregated surfbathing at the beaches as well as the wearing of bathing costumes.

As more people took up surf bathing, the number of drownings at surf beaches increased. As swimming skills were more common among men than women, this prompted the increasing adoption of mixed bathing as a safety measure. Objections continued to be raised about the respectability of this practice until 1914.

Development of the volunteer surf life saving movement from 1903 onwards helped make surf bathing both safer and more respectable. The 1912 NSW Inquiry into Surf Bathing recommended support for the lifesaving movement and the adoption of mixed bathing as a safety measure. Sun bathing was still to be discouraged except in designated sunbaking enclosures.

Australia had sent only one representative to the 1904 Olympics in St Louis, but Australia and New Zealand sent an Australasian team to the 1908 Olympics. Australia's success in swimming as part of an Australasian team at the 1912 Olympic Games fuelled further interest in competitive swimming by both men and women.

Further Information

Back Top