History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
A SHORT HISTORY OF:
THE CRESCENT BEACH SWIMMING CLUB
Compiled by Jack Berry in 2006 on a suggestion by Stewart Schon.
It is therefore dedicated to Stewart’s memory.
A history of the CBSC cannot be just a history of a swim club but has to be that of families
banding together with a dedicated purpose in mind for the benefit of their children. To chronicle
events which have occurred over the past 85 years of the club’s existence, not to mention the
many generations of club members who have passed through its imaginary portals, and then to
confine everything onto one web page is not possible due to limited space.
According to the records, the first gala to be held at Crescent Beach was in July 1918, when ten
interested enthusiasts subscribed $1.00 each which was used to buy a present for every
competitor who took part in the gala. The club at that time was known as the Crescent Beach
Regatta Association and for many years afterward, the main meet held at the point in late
August, was known as The Regatta.
The Point in 1918
This picture was taken at the Point in 1918 just about the time the first swim club was being or
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History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
The Crescent Amateur Swimming Club was organized in 1921 and the late Mr. Frank Penwill
was the first President. Mrs. J.R Gilley acted as first treasurer. A position Mrs. Gilley held
continuously until World War II. The Semiahmoo Cup was purchased jointly by the Crescent
Beach and White Rock Clubs in 1921 for annual competition between the men’s relay teams.
In 1922 the club obtained the services of Mr. Norman Cox as swimming instructor. Subsequent
instructors included Chuck Hill (1926) Colin McFayden (during the thirties) and Noel Morrow
(during the forties).
In 1924, the late R.C. Kidd offered to donate silver medals to the six youngest children
swimming the 25 yard course. These medals have been competed annually ever since. (The
Kidd family first camped at Crescent in 1918).
During the year 1925 the club built *three pontoons at a cost of $1,000. The late Mr. George
Abernathay was president during this year and it was mainly through his efforts that this
improvement was made. The main portion was replaced during 1939 at a cost of $300.00. Also
the club purchased the lot on which the tennis court is located. *The reason for three pontoons
and not six was: The raft’s floatation depended on logs under the deck. When competitions
were in full swing, the raft was crowded to the hilt with those participating and those who came
to cheer them on. The deck was sometimes awash. So the three pontoons replaced the logs on
the seaward side of the tank. This is where the gallery could sit to cheer on their favorite
swimmer or diver out of the way of the competitors. See the picture of the tank.
The year 1927 saw the organization of the "Inter Beach Committee" which took care of
arranging inter club swimming and diving competitions also providing cups for the winners.
During the thirties the major events of the club’s annual programs were the hard fought
competitions between the teams of the Crescent Amateur Swimming Club and the White Rock
Amateur Swimming Club.
In 1928 the club held the first closed meet which girls competed for the Penwill Cup, in memory
of the first president. Miss Kathleen Davidson was the first winner.
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History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
The Tank as it was affectionately called as it appeared in 1929. Local residents knew the summer was u
The
with
their many
trophies.
1929
of
In
theWiles
this
same
cup, family
and
year,
later,
the 1931-33
Abernathy
held
cup
the
was
office
competed
of president.
for by boys. Dr. Penwill was the first winner
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History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
The victorious
men
and
women’s
relay
teams
of
1931.
Back
Shelley.
left
to
right:
Hugh
Lamb,
Gordon
Kneckekt,
*Chuck
Hill,
Harold
Shelley
and
Regyears
Front
Crescent
Row:
had
Kay
that
lost
took
Davidson,
to
White
place,
Margaret
Rock
was
comparable
but
Giske,
when
they
Marion
to
winning
finally
did
the
and
Grey
the
Francis
Cup.
publicity
Giske.
and
For
the
many
local
celebration
court.
*Chuck
hair,
bivouacked
Sunshine
arow,
well
HillAlley.
built,
was
in
aCASC
His
an
tent
suntanned
exceptional
tent
for
the
was
two
torso
also
swimming
summer
and
located
a manner
months
one
instructor
vacant
which
on Shelley
aand
lot
lot
endeared
coach.
over
onwin,
McBride
from
He
him
a
had
privately
Ave.
to everyone.
sun
across
bleached
owned
from
He
tennis
tawny
The CASC 1931 swim teams with their trophies. The Crescent swimming club was the most competitive
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History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
For many
years
medals
were
presented
on auntil
lateabout
August
evening from the steps of th
The
club had
an cups,
active trophies
sailboat and
racing
section,
which
continued
1952.
Note
the
gaff-rigged
main
sail.
Rarely
used
today
in favor
of
the
Bermuda
triangle.
the
had
1953
Societies
previously
under
Act,
the
changed
to
guidance
be
known
itsto
name
of
Club
as
to
the
Crescent
Crescent
Sherwood
Beach
on
Swimming
Lett,
the
advice
the
club
Club.
ofgranted
was
the
The
post
incorporated
village
office.
of
Crescent
underLtd.
During
Wickson
the
allowed
same
year
the
club
the
club
use
constructed
their
family
its
tidal
second
pool
25
for
yard
teaching
tank
beginners.
for
training
and
Mr.
John
constructed
In
When
sold
an
1961,
acre,
to
theCrescent
which
the
Municipality
aclub
diving
included
constructed
Oyster
tank,
of
the
Surrey
making
Company
pool
its
own
area.
for
a Director
total
the
property
tidal
Tennis
use
ofpool
three
ofbehind
courts
on
aBeach
park,
tanks
land
were
the
the
made
at
end
the
added
club
available
of
point.
was
Blackie
later.
by
In
Spit
the
1962
awas
B.C.
20
the
subsequently
year
Packers
club
lease
of
5/9
History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
The 3-tank raft in winter storage back of the Burlington Northern Railway bridge over the Nicomekl River
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History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
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History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
In the
egg
point
(bullhead)
teach
summer.
throwing
each
sailing
sixties,
Tennis
derbies
Friday
techniques
annual
contest
was
at
were
7field
and
and
p.m.
held.
tostill
days
ayoungsters
All
tug
is
Golf
children
were
very
of war.
events
popular.
held
10
Foot
were
at
to
also
Camp
16.
races
eligible
took
Cross-country
were
Alexandra
place.
to participate
held
The
in
during
sailing
bike
front
in races
July
these
ofclub
Oppenheimers
with
were
races.
was
running
primarily
held
Annual
during
races,
atto
fishing
the
the
an
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History of CBSC by Jack Berry
Written by Jack Berry
Thursday, 09 February 2006 00:00
A cut-down version of the CBSC tank as it appeared moored off the Point in 1999. In the distance, the sa
CBSC
tidal
pool
on
Blackie
Spit
as
itto
appeared
in
1999.
would
never
guess
from
looking
Men
compete
Whitler
1972.
and
(Strong)
in
women
Olympic
1948,
who
competitions
got
Bruce
their
Robertson
start
are
inBeach
namely;
the
72/76,
Crescent
Noel
Leslie
Beach
Morrow
Cliff
swimming
(Tindle)
(Oxenbury)
1972
club
1936
and
and
Bill
Olympics,
went
Mahoney
on
to
Irene
Summer
Day
July
around
Amateur
the
summer
and
situation
one
formed
for
in
the
the
cottages
in
residents
Swimming
the
Newton.
perimeter
average
the
has
village
club
changed.
left.
who
Club,
of
originally.
were
of
There
63
opened
the
which
days
welcome
Crescent
beach.
are
Traditionally,
of
up
in
also
club
those
their
The
indoor
join.
activities,
club
cottages
days
When
ispools
club
had
no
could
weather
very
longer
memberships
on
the
open
The
easily
tide
little
the
aOne
first
permitting.
was
summer
opposition
have
year
ofup,
are
July
been
around,
swimming
resort.
taken
and
Children
except
reached
went
one
beginning
There
for
was
in
who
home
by
South
the
are
available
train.
lived
White
the
on
very
Surrey
Today
Labor
first
the
few
Rock
all
year
ofat the drab
part
Gil
CBSC
swimming
Dyck,
of
should
the
chairman
pool
social
aim
and
and
towards
of
indoor
recreational
a
long
racquet
a
range
permanent
activities
courts.
planning
recreational
Historically,
of
committee
Crescent
facility
he
formed
Beach.
said,
that
the
in
would
1974,
club
house
has
firmly
been
an
believed
indoor
an
integral
that
the
SOURCES
- Crescent Beach Swimming Club 75th Anniversary Edition (1993).
- In 1963, J.R. Cunningham wrote a short history. In 1975, Mrs. Kathleen Fricker followed
up with an article for the White Rock Sun entitled 60 Years of Swimming Celebrated. Excerpts
have been quoted from both, with the club’s permission.
- Thanks for the Memory was sponsored by four generations of CBSC members; The Chris
Spencer and Armstrong Families.
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