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. 

Clovelly Bay

Sydney's favourite place to snorkel in the bay between beach and breakwater.

Clovelly - off the rocks

These kids are bigger daredevils than I would ever be!

Clovelly Pool

Photos taken 31 January 2009

From the NSW Ocean Baths website:

1930s
Randwick Council announced plans to build an Olympic swimming pool and a sea wall using gangs of unemployed labour. Attempts were made to construct a breakwater across the mouth of the bay. The project plans were modified after winter storms washed away most of this sea wall, leaving behind a protective rocky reef now visible only at low tide.
1953
The Clovelly Winter Swimming Club was founded by Clovelly surf club members looking for a way to keep active in the winter months. They used Clovelly Bay as their swimming pool.
1962
As acknowledged by a plaque at the pool, Geoff James of the Clovelly surf club proposed the building of a concrete swimming pool. One of the most compelling arguments for the creation of this pool was that its presence meant Randwick Council needed less concrete for the promenade
1991
Residents claimed the Council was neglecting the basic requirements of the pool and its many users. About 150 Clovelly residents petitioned Randwick City Council about the Clovelly Beach Pool, which had stood empty for five weeks because the pump was not operating. They wanted the pool normally used for swimming lessons each Saturday and for events staged by the Clovelly Amateur Swimming Club to be thoroughly cleaned, a new pump installed and to receive regular maintenance and written reports about the pool from Council.
1994
The National Trust classified this 25-metre by 6-metre pool and listed it on its heritage register. 2000
As part of its State of the Environment (SOE) report, Randwick City Council reported on water monitoring in the Clovelly rock pool.
2001
Randwick City Council refurbished the baths.
2002
Randwick Council named the pool after Geoff James, past president and life member of the Clovelly surf club.
The Clovelly Eskimos winter swimming club had about 125 members, most of whom were in their forties or older.
2003
Real estate agents say the charms of the swimming baths and snorkelling round the bay helps to attract families with children to Clovelly. Images of the swimming pool's marked lanes appear in the real estate advertisements for units at Clovelly Beach.

Clovelly, winter 2006