If you head east from Wollongong's busy CBD, you will eventually make it to the golden sands of Wollongong City Beach.
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Located south of iconic Flagstaff Hill, the 3.1-kilometre beachfront is a popular destination for visitors to the city.
However, this has not always been the case.
Before 1912, the beach, then known as South Beach, was judged to be unfit for swimming due to dangerous currents and the proximity of sharks.
In 1915, Wollongong mayor Walter Lance pronounced South Beach safe for swimming and the South Wollongong Lifesaving and Surf Bathing Club was formed.
Today known as Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club, the 115 active patrol members and nippers cohort of more than 300 make the club one of the largest in the Illawarra.
Club president Michael Jennett acknowledged the role location had played in the popularity of the beach.
"The beach is close to the CBD," he said.
"With more people living in Wollongong and better access to the beach around the WIN Stadium precinct, there are more people regularly visiting the beach."
While he admitted patrols were a challenge at times, they were helped by modern surveillance systems and state-of-the-art equipment such as quad bikes, which were used to cover the unusually long shore.
It is still regarded as an often hazardous beach owing to the prevalence of rips along its entire length.
As such, Wollongong City Surf Club is a strong and active advocate for surf and water safety.
"We have a rookie program for our young members and education stands at events such as the opening celebrations of the new mall," Mr Jennett said.
The surf club will celebrate its centenary on February 14 with a gala ball for current and former club members, as well as family and friends.
