Clovelly Beach Archives - Clovelly News

Unexplained Floating Formations Return to Clovelly Beach: What Are These Strange ‘Cakes’?

In an eerie echo of last October’s bizarre black ball phenomenon, Clovelly Beach has once again become the site of a puzzling marine mystery. Locals report another unexplained occurrence: unidentified, floating “cakes” dotting the bay’s surface.

Read: Common Dolphin at Risk According to New Flinders University Study

Eyewitnesses describe the objects as unusual formations with a sponge-like middle, unlike anything previously seen in the area. A local resident shared images and video of the strange floating objects, quickly sparking speculation and concern among community members.

One social media commenter drew an unflattering comparison, likening the objects to the residue found in a polluted storm drain.

clovelly beach — Photo credit: Yuri Sydney/Facebook

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Initial theories range from environmental pollution to potential oil spills, reminiscent of the investigations that followed the black balls incident last October.

At that time, authorities conducted extensive testing on the mysterious black spheres that washed up on several Sydney beaches, including Clovelly Beach. Those investigations revealed the objects were likely composed of waste products such as cooking oil and soap scum.

Environmental experts are advising caution. Residents and beachgoers are urged not to swim near or touch the unidentified floating objects. The NSW Environment Line (131 555) has been recommended as a point of contact for reporting and seeking more information about these mysterious marine formations.

This latest incident follows the unsettling black ball phenomenon, raising questions about marine pollution and potential environmental anomalies in the area. Authorities are expected to investigate the nature of these floating “cakes” and determine their origin and potential environmental impact.

Read: Waterlings: Clovelly Swim Teacher Creates Reusable Swim Nappies for Australian Families

For now, the mystery remains unsolved, leaving local residents and beach visitors to wonder about the unusual objects mysteriously appearing in their coastal waters.

Published 12-December-2024

Year-Round Patrols for Clovelly Beach After Hundreds Rescued

Photo Credit: YouTube / RandwickCouncil

Randwick City Council announced today that Clovelly Beach will now have year-round professional patrols, between sunrise and sunset, seven days a week.

The decision comes after an alarming number of rescues and incidents over the recent spring and summer seasons. From July 2023 to the end of summer 2024, lifeguards at Randwick beaches performed 648 rescues and administered first aid over 5,100 times. They also responded to 102 major incidents including drownings, near-drownings, and resuscitations.

With 4.7 million visits to our beaches since July, including 3.76 million over spring and summer, it’s certain that the beaches are incredibly popular all year round.

“Residents and visitors alike love to visit beaches in the Randwick Council area to enjoy the pristine coastal environment in this beautiful corner of the world,” Ms Veitch said.

“While it’s incredible to have an ocean playground on our doorstep, enjoying the water comes with risk, whatever the time of year.”

Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch said year-round patrols are critical for public safety after a 2023 review showed increasing numbers swimming at Clovelly during off-peak seasons.

Clovelly joins Coogee and Maroubra as beaches in Randwick receiving the expanded coverage. Last summer also saw the return of patrols to Malabar Beach for the first time in 20 years, as well as the introduction of new patrols at Little Bay Beach due to drowning incidents and public demand.

During those patrols, there were around 350,000 beach visits, with lifeguards performing four rescues and 959 first aid cases.

The data shows extending coverage to unpatrolled beaches saves lives. “Already lifeguards estimate that there have been 330,000 visits to Clovelly Beach since the summer season ended. They have performed nine rescues and administered first aid to 476 people visiting Clovelly in this time,” Mayor Veitch stated.

The council is urging all beachgoers to heed safety guidelines: swim between the red and yellow flags only, don’t swim after eating or under the influence, never enter if no flags are present, and follow all lifeguard instructions.

“If you’re visiting the beach in the Randwick Council area during what will hopefully be a beautiful Sydney winter, please ensure you swim at a patrolled beach and follow the instructions of the Lifeguards.”

Published 18-May-2024

Pop-Up Pedal Park in Clovelly to stay Until October

The pop-up pedal park in Clovelly Beach will stay in place until the first of October 2021, nixing original plans to dismantle the facility at winter’s end. The extension will be a welcome reprieve for kids home schooling during the lockdown.

Children will be able to safely play outdoors and have fun at the pedal park as it continues to be accessible until 5 Oct 2021. According to Randwick City Mayor Danny Said, keeping the facilities in place will “help lighten people’s burden” during this pandemic.

“Council has looked for additional ways for residents to make use of our outdoor spaces,” the mayor said.

“The pop-up pedal parks have proven to be a popular and effective way for kids to get outside, burn off some energy in a safe environment and feel like life is a little bit normal again.

“It was a no-brainer to keep them open for longer than was originally planned. The positive feedback we’ve received from the community tells us that this is a valued initiative that brings relief and happiness to many families.”

Since beachside car parks closed during the lockdown, Council installed temporary bike tracks for the kids on the site. The first pop-up pedal park was opened and trialled in May 2020, whilst another facility was installed at the Chifley Reserve.

The pedal parks were subsequently brought back in June 2021, following a Council vote to make this a regular winter offering. This year ramps, rails, and tunnels were added to provide additional skill-building opportunities for junior cyclists, skaters, and scooter users.

Meanwhile, residents may continue to provide feedback about the pedal parks to Council.

Bundock Park Playground Upgrade Expected in 2021

Following community consultations and a public exhibition in 2020, the construction of the proposed Bundock Park Playground upgrade at Eastbourne Avenue will be underway this year. Randwick City Council will soon confirm the start date of civic works that will move the new playground a few metres off its current location.

The Bundock Park Playground upgrades will include new equipment for the children, such as a slide, a basket swing, wooden play equipment with rope ladders and monkey bar hooks to climb. Most of this will be made of wood to be safer for toddlers to enjoy.

The proposed plan also has provisions for the grown-ups, who will be accompanying their kids at the play area. There will be more shade and seating for the comfort of the adults whilst the new location, slightly to the west of the old playground, will take advantage of the beauty of the surrounding bushes and shrubs.

Bundock Park Playground is just across Clovelly Beach. It’s surrounded by plenty of amenities like external showers, BBQ and picnic shelters, and a cafe for dining and lounging in between meals and swimming.

For enquiries and other comments about this planned upgrade, email council@randwick.nsw.gov.au or phone the project manager at 9093 6934.

Improve Your Swim Fitness and Join the Ins-N-Outs Challenge at Clovelly Beach

Photo Credit: Engin_Akyurt/Pixabay

If you’re planning to get some serious fitness training, it might be time to join a group that makes Clovelly Beach their ultimate workout place. Challenge yourself and join the Ins-N-Outs hosted by the Seac Studio along with the BRAT Club Bondi Running And Triathlon Club.

On Thursday, 11th of April 2019, the group embarked on their Ins-N-Outs challenge as early as 6:30 a.m. at the Clovelly Beach. The full-hour session was geared towards learning to swim fit and fast while mixing the routines with a run on the soft sand.

The Ins-N-Outs session usually begins with a warm-up of five laps of soft running on the sand and six toe-touch push-ups. Running on the sand can be a good leg muscle-building and aerobic workout because you’ll be pushing the muscles on your glutes and calves.

After the run, the group then sets for a swim at the Clovelly Beach for five laps. The participants regroup with each lap on the first steps on the ledge and then sprint to the wall to jog back to the steps and do a 30-second side plank by the ground.

While these routines sound tough, the Ins-N-Outs is actually kid-friendly. If you have kids and you’d like to engage them into working out, you are encouraged to bring them along.

Participants aren’t expected to wear wetsuits. They can keep it basic and casual with boardshorts.

Ins-N-Outs takes place on a Thursday but the schedule isn’t regular. Book a slot at the Seac Studio site or inquire the next schedule via email. This event doesn’t require payment. Just sign up and then head to the beach on the day of your schedule.

Learn to Spot Edibles at Clovelly Beach! Join the Seaside Foraging Workshop

Photo Credit: Katherine Van Wagenen/Facebook

Do you want to learn how to identify edibles at Clovelly Beach? Well-known forager Diego Bonetto and wild food expert Oliver Brown will teach you how in a 3-hour Seaside Foraging Workshop.

The class will take place on Sunday, the 31st of March, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and your classroom will be from the stretch of Gordons Bay to Shark Point at Clovelly.

Mr Bonnetto and Mr Brown will talk about different varieties of seaweeds, plants and wild food which can be found and harvested at the coastlines. They will also teach eager students about preparing and cooking dishes using these food sources.

Mr Bonnetto moved from a dairy farm in Italy to Australia in the 1990s. Having worked in orchards and gardens in his youth, he became passionate about expanding his knowledge on botany. Since 2017, Mr. Bonnetto has conducted more than 150 foraging workshops around Australia.

Mr Brown, on the other hand, is an archeologist, but he also describes himself as a hunter, fisher, gardener, forager, beekeeper and cook all rolled into one.

The class will hold a valuable discussion on the legal and ecological implications of how locals take good care of the resources in the land and sea. This activity is perfect for families who would like their kids to be more informed about sustainable living.

*Photo Credit:* *Diego Bonnetto/Facebook*

Additional research and reading materials will be provided to the participants of the Seaside Foraging Workshop so they can continue to explore the coastlines at their convenient time.

Tickets to the workshop have to be booked ahead for a fee of $40 per person.