Darelle and Sally's Swimming Adventures - Clovelly Beach 16 October, 2016

Ready to snorkel

Until 1913 Clovelly was known as Little Coogee. It was named for a local estate of that name, which was named for the village of Clovelly on the north Devon coast. 

A tram line was completed to the suburb by 1913. What a pity it no longer exists, as traffic is very heavy. The line closed in 1957.

The concrete foreshores were constructed during the Great Depression as part of a work scheme. 

Clare Dennis (1916-1971) was a breaststroke gold medallist at the 1932 Olympics. She grew up in Clovelly and learned to swim in this bay. There should be a pool named after her, as there are for other Australian Olympic gold medallists (eg Ian Thorpe, Andrew Boy Charlton, Bev Whitfield, Dawn Fraser, Murray Rose, Michael Wenden, Fanny Durack)

Approaching from the north, looking over the long narrow inlet of Clovelly towards Coogee and the headland at Maroubra

Clovelly Bay

The surf rescue boat at the entrance to the bay is a good marker to swim around when doing laps 

The first surf life saving club was formed in 1907. 

Looking back towards the beach

The concreted edges and apron of the bay are the closest we have to a European style lido

Seaweeds underwater

Dog waiting eagerly for its human/s to return. No dogs allowed below

The yummy mummies have arrived

And a pool

The beach

Nearby, the bowling greens with the best view in Sydney. Looking north towards Bondi

And the cemetery with the best location in Sydney

Clovelly Bay before concreting

Clare Dennis in the lead at Los Angeles Olympics 1932

Clovelly swimmer Clare Dennis (middle in swimsuit) with team-mates Bonnie Mealing to her left and Frances Bult to right, Chaperone, and sprinters Eileen Wearne (Aus) and Thelma Kench (NZ) at 1932 Olympics.