Following several near fatalities in the surf in 1925-26, local beachgoers formed a squad of Life Savers with a council-supplied reel, line and belt and began irregular patrols. With local property owners and beach visitors growing in numbers, Whale Beach SLSC was formed in 1937 and club patrols commenced in October of that year. Many members were from Northbridge Swimming Club, on Sydney’s lower North Shore.

In 1938, an old windmill frame was adapted to house a reel. A shark look-out was built on the roof. In 1941, a stone boatshed was built on the sand. At that time, Warringah Council designated the boatshed as an Air Raid Shelter.

In 1966, a huge storm severely damaged the boatshed. In 1974, another major storm undermined and destroyed it. Over the intervening years, club members raised funds to purchase land and, with volunteer labor, built a large clubhouse.

Along with neighboring Palm Beach, Whale Beach is one of only two NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs to own its own club premises.

Notable rescues

The first major test of member skills was on 26th January, 1938 when a disabled motor launch with two men on board was swept by heavy seas toward the south end rocks. Noel Greenfield, of Whale Beach, and James Barnes, of Palm Beach SLSC, donned belts and swam through the heavy seas and courageously rescued the two men. Noel and James received the Meritorious Award from the SLSA.

In 1956, cadet member Colin Timms rescued two men in a mass rescue in big seas when 5 people were swept out in 2 rips that merged from either end of the beach to form a fierce undertow. A 47 year old Sydney man drowned after being dumped and washed out to sea. This is the only fatality experienced at Whale Beach during patrol hours.

Two sailboarders were blown out to sea off Whale Beach in 1994. The IRB, crewed by Phil Cullis and Chris Hendrikson, tended to the second sailboarder, and were then called to help a fisherman who had been swept from the rock shelf. The fisherman was found unconscious but face-up and transported to the beach where the Westpac SLSA helicopter had dropped a doctor. The IRB then returned to sea to pick up the two sailboarders. The fisherman was revived following CPR and intensive care at Mona Vale Hospital. Whale Beach SLSC was awarded the Surf Life Saving Australia Heroes of the Surf Award for the rescue.

Notable competitors

Geoff Martin
A relative unknown, Geoff won the Metropolitan, NSW State and Australian Junior Belt titles in season 1953-54.

Mark Morgan
A medalist at the Branch, Metropolitan, State and Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Mark was Vice-Captain of the Australia Commonwealth Games team in Edmonton, Canada, in 1978.

Owen Ramsay
The most successful carnival competitor in the club, winning numerous medals in water and craft events, such as the 16ft racing board, single and double ski. Owen is a Life Member of the club and also a Life Member of NSW SLSA and SLSA Australia. He has been the board and ski starter at all major title carnivals including the Australian for the past 30 years.

Hal Bailey
First a member of North Bondi SLSC, Hal then joined Whale Beach SLSC in 1943 after war service. Hal’s surf skills are legendary. At 52, in 1970, he reveled in heavy seas to win the open surf race at the Whale Beach carnival. As a Life Member of the club, Hal won numerous medals in Masters swimming in Australia and overseas.

George McRobert
Now a Life Member, George was Club Captain for 7 years, then President for 16 consecutive years. George was instrumental in the establishment of the Moby Dick Surfers Club, a licensed club operating in the club building. Income from this enterprise was used to make the property totally freehold and provide funds for equipment and club operating expenses. During his term as President, George also served as Chair of the Board of the licensed club. George, an Army Officer during WWII, is a disciplined man. His military training and disciplined approach formed the structure for the beach management of The Big Swim.

Owen Ramsay
Also a Life Member (Bronze Medallion 1948), Owen is the most successful carnival competitor in the club, winning numerous medals in water and craft events such as the 16ft racing board, single and double ski. Owen is also a Life member of SLS NSW and Australia. He has been a carnival referee for Branch, State and National titles and holds the record for being ski/board referee at the most number of carnivals.

Richard Stewart
Richard joined Whale Beach SLC in 1955 (Bronze Medallion 1957), and served as vice-captain and captain for six years, treasurer for 8 years, then President for 13 years. Richie is also a Life Member. Richie had the vision to see the potential of the marathon ocean swim event as a club fundraiser by opening it to competent swimmers outside surf club members, and charging an entry fee. Involved in or organiser of 31 Big Swims, Richie, as he is affectionately known, has competed in water and beach events and is a medal winner in single and double ski events. An experienced financial manager and CPA, he has guided the club through times of financial crises.

Notable events

1951
Purchase of 2 blocks of beachfront land in the middle of Whale Beach. Members built a clubhouse.

1953
Opening of the 2-storey clubhouse.

1958
Opening of the 3rd floor of the club House by the Premier of NSW.

1961
Formation of the Moby Dick Surfers Club Limited, to provide funds for surf life saving at Whale Beach. The first club in NSW to form a licensed club.

1967
Repayment of the bank loan that funded the purchase of land and the building of the club premises. International Surf Carnival with the South African national team

May, 1974
Destruction of the beach boat shed during the wild storm that coincided with Sydney’s highest recorded tide (2.4m)

1974
The first Palm Beach to Whale Beach Ocean Marathon Swim, in which 28 club members swam in atrocious conditions. This swim became the first of many surf club ocean swims in Australia.

July, 1980
First Female lifesavers. The first four female bronze medallion holders in NSW were Whale Beach members - Sarah Peters, Marion Robb, Tina Gowing, and Jill Peters. The first branch carnival with women’s events was held at Whale Beach with the surf race won by Tina Gowing.

1981
Nationwide coverage of the Palm Beach to Whale Beach Ocean Marathon Swim on ABC television. Swim organiser, Richard Stewart, stated at the presentation that ocean swimming is becoming a Sydney summer premier event with swims now at Avalon and Mona Vale, and at Bondi.

1996
Palm Beach to Whale Beach swim, in fine, smooth conditions, had 1,387 swimmers enjoy near perfect conditions

2002
Over 1,500 competitors lodge entries for the event now known as The Big Swim, now the premier ocean swim in NSW. Many other surf clubs now use the concept of an ocean swim as a fundraiser.

2008
The Big Swim wins Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence "Event of the Year".

2008/09
No lives lost during patrol hours.