Bondi before the tourists: Remarkable archive footage shows men frolicking in the waves in full swimsuits and a gaggle of gossiping women sunbaking on the sands back in 1926
- Amazing archival footage has shed light on life in Sydney’s beach side suburbs
- The footage captures people frolicking in the water at Bondi and Bronte beaches
- Some buildings under construction in the footage still stand in Waverley today
Archive footage of Bondi Beach and its surrounds has given remarkable insight into the life and times of Sydney residents in 1926.
The footage is from the collection of The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and shows some aspects of daily life in the beachfront suburb of Waverley.
Waverley and its famous beach was not yet the urban hub it would become and shots from the clifftops show just how different the suburb was 93 years ago.
The archival footage is from the collection of The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and shows some aspects of daily life in the beachfront suburb of Waverley
One thing that hasn’t changed is the popularity of Bondi, with the beach packed with men, women and children enjoying the iconic waterfront
One thing that hasn’t changed is the popularity of Bondi, with the beach packed with men, women and children enjoying the iconic waterfront.
They are all in full swimsuits, popular at the turn of the century and covering most of the upper body and thighs.
Surfers are also seen on their long-boards, showing just how long the sport has been a popular staple of Australian life.
Schoolchildren are filmed packed into a classroom writing notes before being taken to the beach for swimming lessons.
Three beaches – Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama – are the focus of the beach footage.
The cameraman also captured a surf life saver’s exercise, showing them practicing with a traditional life-saving reel.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the popularity of Bondi Beach, shown in the footage packed with men, women and children enjoying the iconic waterfront
The cameraman also captured a life saver’s drill showing the traditional methods of rescue with the life-saving reel which was invented at Bondi Beach
The reel was invented at Bondi Beach in 1907 and was used as a harness in rescues.
It would be attached to the swimmer while other life guards stood on the beach feeding the line into the water.
Once the lifeguard got to the swimmer they would wrap the harness around their waist so the guards on the beach could reel them in.
Buildings under construction are also highlighted in the footage, some of which still stand today including the Hazel Flats, which are still there on Campbell Parade.
Buildings under construction are also highlighted in the footage, some of which still stand today including the Hazel Flats, which still take provide of place on Campbell Parade
While the fashion is different Bondi Beach has always provided a great place for friends to gather and enjoy the sunshine of Sydney in the summer
Views from atop some of the constructions show off the amazing landscape of Bondi Beach which has changed very little since 1926.
The footage has already garnered 19,000 views and a host of comments from grateful YouTube users.
The footage was likely filmed at the back end of 1926 as some of the footage captures the Armistice Day Ceremony at Waverley Park..
The footage was likely filmed at the back end of 1926 as some of the footage captures the Armistice Day Ceremony at Waverley Park
Surfers were also filmed on their long-boards, showing just how long the sport has been a popular staple of Australian life