A long and rich history….
The club was formed on the 17th September 1933. A Mrs Lottie Wood was the initiator of this ladies only swimming club. At this meeting a group of office bearers were nominated, a list of 23 club rules were adopted and a membership Fee would be: Seniors 3pounds; Juniors (under 14) 1pound 6 shillings.
The initial membership was 30 which grew to 83 by the end of the first season.
The club would be affiliated with the NSWWASA (New South Wales Warringah Amateur Swimming Association)
The club colours adopted were to be black and lemon, which remain to today.
Club events would be held every Sunday at 10am
The first of these meets was on the 8th October 1933 in the Narrabeen lagoon as the North Narrabeen Rockpool was yet to be completed. The ladies had to rally male members of the North Narrabeen Surf Club to assist them initially in providing boats to sit the judges and timekeepers in and to also help in roping off the area and providing ‘touch lines.’ The surf club also assisted in building a ‘starting platform’ in the Lagoon for the ladies..
By season end the ladies had acquired all the skills and equipment necessary to continue holding their race meets by themselves, The rock pool was completed and races were held under easier circumstances from then on.
The local council assisted NLASC greatly and provided a ‘club room’ which has since been extended and still stands today.
NLASC has competed in Inter-club carnivals since inception and enjoys meets with other swimming rock pool clubs to this day.
The Changing Face of NLASC
At the AGM 20 September 1987 it was proposed to have an extraordinary meeting to be held on 18/10/87 to discuss the Notice of Motion (moved by Mrs. Crowley, seconded Mrs. Sadlier) that the constitution of the NLASC be altered to allow male members into the club.
At the meeting of 18/10/87 a unanimous decision was made.
At the AGM 22 Nov 1987, 2 males were nominated to be elected for the committee for the first time.
Learn to Swim for Free Program
The LEARN to SWIM for FREE program was started in 1960 by members of NLASC. The club offered free swimming lessons every Saturday and Sunday between November until March.
This volunteer program went on to teach over 15,000 children. Many of these children went on to join the club and become involved in the swimming races available. One of these participants was JENNY TURRELL who was a commonwealth gold medal winner in the 1974 Christchurch games; 800m FINA World Championships winner and 1500m world record holder in 1976.
In 1992 the NLASC and learn to swim program received a Highly Commended Award from the NSW State Government.
The Learn to Swim Program continues its volunteer services to this day.
NLASC Name Change
During the 2009/2010 season we explored the possibility of changing our name from Narrabeen Ladies Amateur Swimming Club to Narrabeen Lakes Amateur Swimming Club. This was suggested to reflect the changing membership of our club while maintaining a link to the history of the club as it first started in Narrabeen Lake. Following positive feedback from our Life Members this proposal was unanimously accepted by our members at the presentation.
Want to know more
Our very own Maureen Rutlidge (life member) is the 2007/2020 Pittwater Council ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Awardee and 2019 Northern Beaches Council Senior Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day awards, Maureen Rutlidge epitomises ‘giving back to your community’ and has authored the 2020 Narrabeen Lakes Amateur Swimming Club History page for Pittwater Online. Maureen’s assistance with images for the North Narrabeen Rock Pool: Some History helped nail down some missing details.