Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club man's competition swimsuit

Maker Jantzen (American, founded 1910)

Date1950s

Object number00000927

NameSwimsuit

MediumTerylene

DimensionsOverall: 780 mm, 0.1 kg
Clothing size: 40

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club

Terms

DescriptionThis competition swimsuit featuring the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club badge was used at surf carnivals in the 1950s. Although men's swimwear became increasingly brief during the 1930s, and topless by the end of the decade, the Surf Life Saving team competition costume retained the covered chest and half skirt of the classic Racerback swimsuit of the late 1920s. HistoryBy using this vintage swimsuit design well into the second half of the 20th century, the surf life saving movement perpetuated the classic 1930s image of the lifesaver as the bronzed hero of the Australian beach. Surf Life Saving clubs formed around Australia from 1907. In that year Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club was founded, using an old tram carriage for the first clubhouse. The earliest surf carnivals, originally called gymkhanas, were held at Manly, Bondi and North Steyne in New South Wales in 1908 as fundraisers for the Royal Life Saving Society. Carnivals were held in the summer months as a way to test the skills of members and maintain their fitness for patrol and rescue work. Carnival events included surf races, alarm reel (belt race), surf relay (surf teams), rescue and resuscitation, as well as novelty events such as tug-of-war, pillow fights, catching the greasy pig, chariot and sack races.SignificanceThis navy blue swimsuit is representative of the designs produced in Australia by Jantzen for Surf Life Saving competitions during this period.