Night (and Day) Swimming

Would you think twice before plunging into a murky creek at night?

When the Stoney Creek Amateur Swimming Club (established in 1930) announced in 1934 that it would hold night races at Stoney Creek, near Toronto, Lake Macquarie, the young William ‘Bill’ Walker (1913-1975) probably had no reservations. This silver trophy was one of two Point Score trophies that the club awarded to Bill for races that year, one for a day swim, the other for a night swim.

Between the 1830s and 1902, swimming in daylight was banned at beaches in Sydney and beyond. In fact, it was actually considered inappropriate – even immoral – to expose one’s body in a swimsuit! As such, night swimming remained a popular practice into the early twentieth century.

In the 1930s, Bill made a living from fishing, cutting timber, and growing fruit and vegetables in the garden of his Toronto home. He also continued competitive swimming, a necessary diversion from the challenges of the Depression era. In January 1935, the Stoney Creek club connected electric lights to the swimming course which made the night swims even more inviting.

Following his successes in the early years of the club, Bill continued to be unbeatable. This trophy was one of ten that Bill Walker won in 1934 alone, with dozens more won throughout his career. Had it not been for a general lack of funding for amateur swimming, as well as the ever-present need to provide for his family, Bill might have gone on to compete at the Empire and Olympic Games. He was certainly fast enough in the water – day or night.