Bronte
Beach lies just south of Tamarama and in many respects
is like a big brother. It is a slightly bigger beach at 250m long,
but with bigger rips. So again, bathers beware. Australia's oldest
surf club was formed here in 1903. The beach is set in a picturesque
valley, occupied by Bronte Park covering 10ha and one of the nicest
oases on the south side. By all means go and enjoy the park, but watch
the surf.
The park and a moderate amount of parking
in the old tramway cutting, plus the government bus service make Bronte
a popular beach. However, this popularity keeps the lifesavers and
year round lifeguards busy with an average of 127 rescues a year.
The beach is fronted by a surf zone that is usually occupied by 2
to 3 rips, one at either end against the headlands, and often a third
one in the centre. The southern headland rip is known as the 'Bronte
Express' and guarantees a fast ride out the back. An additional hazard
are the rocks off the southern end of the beach, an area favoured
by board riders. All in all the southern rock pool is the safest place
to go.
Swimming:
Bronte will always be an attractive and popular destination with a
potentially hazardous surf. Definitely bathe between the flags and
still watch for rips, as they occupy most of the beach. If you feel
yourself being dragged sideways or out to sea, you are in a rip. If
you are not an experienced bather use the rock pool.
Surf: Contains Bronte Reef at the
south end which can produce good rights off east to south east swell,
while a beach break left occupies the northern half.
Fishing: A permanent gutter runs
out from the beach, with the high and exposed rocks at both ends requiring
some caution.
Summary: One of the more popular
eastern suburb beaches with a large park and picnic area, good bus
access and reasonable parking. But, be careful and watch the rips.
Bronte Life Saving Brigade,
formed in 1903 was the first club to use a boat for life saving purposes.
It consisted of two kapok-stuffed torpedo shaped tubes of wood with
seating for three paddlers between the tubes. This club closed following
the formation of the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club in 1907.
One of the first people rescued by the newly formed surf club was
a child named Charles Smith, he was to die in the sea 20 years later,
then known as the world famous aviator, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.
On February 7, 1931 Bronte held its first Open Surf Carnival. However
huge seas and the deadly Bronte Express were in control of the beach.
The first event resulted in 40 junior swimmers being
swept out to the turning buoys then far beyond. The boys ended up
so far out to sea that the Captain Cook Pilot Boat had to be called
around to rescue them. The Carnival was cancelled, and another was
not held for 30 years
