Framed Photograph of Len Schenk
1938-01-01/1943-12-31
South Australian Maritime Museum
Port Adelaide, Australia
Framed photograph of Len Schenk in his swimming trunks with trophies and various awards displayed at his feet (1930s). Swimming for the Ethelton Amateur Swimming Club in the 1930s, Schenk won many awards and set several race records both locally and interstate. The Ethelton Club was formed in October 1924 and initially met on the west bank of the Port River's Upper Reach. The Ethelton Amateur Swimming Club was one of the most successful clubs in the region, despite the fact that its members like other clubs in Port Adelaide, had to brave the brackish waters of the Port River rather than a purpose built swimming bath.
- Title: Framed Photograph of Len Schenk
- Date Created: 1938-01-01/1943-12-31
- Provenance: This photograph was taken as a record of Len Schenk’s swimming achievements. Swimming for the Ethelton Swimming Club in the 1930s, he won many awards and set several records. Len was a member of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, and won Navy as well as State championship competitions. He continued swimming into the 1950s, competing in the ETSA swim title races in 1951. Private and public baths became increasingly popular in the 1880s in South Australia, coinciding with the growth of swimming as a sport rather than simply a means of cooling off. The Port Adelaide Swimming Club was formed in 1909, swimming in the Port River but holding meets in the Adelaide City Baths. Semaphore Amateur swimming club was formed the same year. By the mid-1920s several other swimming cubs had opened on the Port River, the most successful being the Ethelton and Rosewater swimming clubs Ethelton Swimming Club was formed in October 1924 and met on the west bank of the Port River's Upper Reach. It was later based at the Port Adelaide swimming pool on Swan Terrace, Semaphore South. Inter club rivalry was fierce in the Port.
- Subject Keywords: Sport, swimming, Awards
- Rights: History Trust of South Australia, CC-0, photographer: Rachel Harris, Bit Scribly Design
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