The Singapore Swimming Club

Title
The Singapore Swimming Club
Year/Period
1938
Region
Singapore
Object Type
positives (photographs), photographic prints
Material
photographic paper, ink
Technique
photographic processes, photographic printing techniques
Dimension
Image size: 15.3 x 20.3 cm
Accession No.
1994-05562
NLB Type
Photograph

Officially established in 1893, the Singapore Swimming Club was the brainchild of a group of young European men who wanted to maintain some basic facilities near their favourite bathing spot in the waters off Tanjong Rhu. Club membership grew steadily over the years, reaching 2,000 members by 1933. The facilities also improved markedly from a modest bungalow serving as clubhouse in the early days to a purpose-built clubhouse and swimming pool in the 1930s. The pool in particular attracted much attention, being the first of its kind to be built in Malaya. Having undergone a major redevelopment in the late 1990s, the Club reopened in 2001 and continues to be an important gathering place for the social and sporting activities of its members today.