Victoria Amateur Swim Club

1920

Competitive swimming on the Gorge peaked in the early 1920‟s. Several clubs dedicated to

the sport had set up headquarters on the Gorge, YMCA(YSC) was first in 1908, then the

Victoria Amateur Swim Club (VASC) and Victoria Ladies Swim Club (VLSC) started up in

1913, the Victoria and Island Athletic Association (VIAA) formed in 1914 and the Elks

Swim Club (ESC) started up in 1920. Each club was located within a few hundred yards of

the Gorge Bridge and held its own weekly handicap races, several hosted Provincial and

Pacific Northwest championships.

Annual meeting of VASC at Carter Hall on January 6th

1920 at 8pm

Election of Officers

President Mr. C. Hopper

Vice President Mr. T.N. Hibben, Mrs.Bertha McAllister

Secretary Gerald Eley Wellburn

March 8 1920

Discussion on registering the lease for the clubhouse site

Fees- membership- .50 per year

Swimmer privileges: 9&under, $1.00 per year

16&under, $2.00 per year

over 16, $3.00 per year

March 16 1920

Club applies for sanction for meet on July 1st to hold BC champs for water polo, ladies 100

yards and Junior 50 yards

Moved that lease to be registered

April 14 1920

Sanction approved for meet to hold BC champs for water polo, ladies 100 yards and 200 yards

junior relay

May 19 1920

Opening of clubhouse Saturday May 22nd

1920 at 3:30pm with basket picnic and swimming

programs

Picnic July 1st at Telegraph Bay (transportation to and back $0.60)

May 25th

– membership Adults $3.50 Juniors $2.50

July 5 1920

Mr. J.D. McNeil thanks club members for wedding presents

July 20 1920

Application to CASA for sanction to hold annual club gala August 28th

1920

August 3 1920

Permission granted by CASA for Club Gala, 100 yd Ladies BC Championships be adopted

for the event Mrs. Barrett donated $15.00 towards medals for this meet

August 17 1920

Paid a plumbing bill for two showers for the clubhouse

December 6 1920

Yearly club fees for membership effective January 1 1921 set at $1.00

Swimmer privileges

9 and under $ .50

16 and under $1.50

16 and over $2.50

On December 25 1920 the VASC hosted the first Invitational Christmas Day Swim, nine

swimmers (two of the were female) braved the cold waters to do a few laps. Tom Wellburn

won the first race followed by Dave Barcley and George Silburn. Captain M. Harbord

offered the club a Challenge Cup as long as the swim remains an annual event.

.

1st Annual Christmas Day Swim

1920

1921

January 3 1921

Election of Officers

President Mrs. Bertha McAllistar

Vice President Mrs. Plunb, Dr. Patterson

Secretary Gerald Evey Wellburn

Land leased by club – “a portion of lot „C‟ section 15 Victoria District, Municipality of

Saanich

April 6 1921

VASC awarded three BC Championships

220 yards open

50 yards ladies

50 yards mens

June 1 1921

VASC applies for Gala on July 23 1921 and permission is granted on July 6th

1921.

June 21 1921

VASC writes a letter to Mr. Butchart asking for permission to hold the clubs annual picnic at

his gardens on July 9th

or 10th

. Permission was granted on July 6th

1921.

July 6 1921

Butchart Gardens turn out not to be suitable for the club picnic and it was moved to Deep

Cove on Sunday July 17, to leave on BCER at 10:30 am.

Club Picnic Deep Cove, Sunday July 17 1921

It was reported that Mr. Henry Bird was building a boat for the club at cost price.

July 23 1921

Three Provincial (50 Free ladies, 220 Breaststroke mens, 50 Free mens) and one Vancouver

Island Championship (Water Polo) for the Little and Taylor Cup were at stake at the VASC

Gala.

50 Free ladies – K Wellburn 2nd

50 Free mens – E Squire 3rd

Water Polo results - VASC 4 YMCA 2

August 3 1921

Saturday September 3rd

1921 set as the date

for the Dominion swimming

Championships run by the CASA BC

section.

Club picnic held at Butchart Gardens,

August 10 1921

Kathleen Wellburn, a fourteen year old

swimmer, won first place in the BC

Championship Ladies 100 yard free style

event with a time of 1:18.15 in a gala held

in the early summer of 1921 (September 3

1921).

1922

January 28 1922

Kathy Wellburn presented an award

(bracelet) for outstanding 1921 season,

Colin McFayden coaching/training Miss

Wellburn

Hibberson Cup awarded to Doris Graves for

highest point total for handicap races for

1921

February 6 1922

Election of Officers

President Mr.Henry Bird

Vice Presidents Mr. Robert William

Hibberson,

Miss Doris Graves

Sec/Tres Gerald Evey

Wellburn

Mr. J Wenger to donate a cup for the club

handicap races held through out the season

April 6 1922

Club applies to the CASA for sanction for

the BC Championships on July 29 1922 for

the following races, 440 freestyle mens, 100

freestyle ladies, 100 senior freestyle ladies

relay and water polo

September 3 1921

May 9 1922

Club awarded BC Championships for 440 freestyle mens and 100 freestyle ladies

Opening day for the club May 20th

1922

May 31 1922

Purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purchase of the waterfront lot in front of G

Humpheries residence Gorge Road with a frontage of 60 feet for a price of $600.00

Motion to purchase the lot was MSC unanimously

June 7 1922

Club championships to include 50 yards, 100yds, 440 yards and 88 yards

Waterfront lot was purchased and first payment made

Club incorporated with Benevolent Societies Act

July 5 1922

10th

annual club gala held on July 29th

1922

Annual Club Picnic, need to write to Mrs. Cresswell in regards to using Deep Cove on August

6 1922

On a Saturday afternoon, July 27 1922 at 3:15pm, the VASC held a gala, in which two BC

Championship were at stake, at the Canadian Amateur Outdoor Swimming Championships,

which took place on the Gorge. Tom Wellburn won the BC Championship 440 yard freestyle

event and set a new Provincial Record with a time of 6:19.15 while Gracie and Kathleen

finished second and third in the BC Championship 100 yard freestyle event. This was the

tenth type event which the VASC had hosted

July 27 1922

Canadian Amateur Outdoor Swimming Championships

On July 31st of 1922, the club again hosted a swimming gala with provincial championship

races held on the Gorge. Tom Wellburn won the BC Championship 880 yard free style event.

August 9 1922

Financial committee progressing with incorporation of club

President Bird called for plans to be submitted for a two story club house

Colours and Emblem.

27. The colours of the society shell be green and white and the emblem of the society shall

consist of the letters V .A.S.C. formed in the following manner

DATED at Victoria, B.C. this 24th day of November, A.D. 1922.

WITNESS:

Henry Bird 3234 Glasgow Ave. Saanich, B.C. Boatbuilder

John Davidson McNeill, 430 Alpha st., Victoria, B.C. Dyer

Robert William Hibberson, 1619 Hampshire Road, Victoria, B.C. Timber Cruiser

Alice Naomi Hibberson 1619 Hampshire Rd, N. Victoria. Housewife

Annie Borders Armstrong, 124 Government Clerk

Willis Theodore McNaughton Barrett, Land Surveyor, Cecil Hotel,Victoria, B.C."

Bertha McAllister, 30 Cambridge St., Victoria, B.C. Wife of C.W McAllister

Ada Emily Catterall, 1016 Linden Wife of Harry Catterall

Gerald Eley Wellburn, 2874 Austin Ave, Victoria, B.C. Salesman

Mary Wellburn, 1331 Grant St., Victoria. Clerk

George Silburn, 3200 Douglas St. (Victoria, B.C.) Clerk

Witness to the signature of Henry Bird,

Isaac Chadwick, 1282 Kings Rd. Victoria, B.C. Boatbuilder

Witness to the signatures of, Alice Naomi Hibberson and Mary Wellburn

Ruth Helen Melville, 129 Clarence St.,Victoria. B.C.Stenographer

Witness to the signatures of ; John Davidson Mc Neill, Robert William Hibberson, Annie

Borders Armstrong, Willis Theodore McNaughton Barrett, Bertha McAllister Ada Emily

Catterall, Gerald Eley Wellburn, George Silburn

George Watt Stott, 103 Menzies Street, Victoria B.C.

1923

February 7 1923

Election of Officers

President Mr.Henry Bird

Vice Presidents Mr. Robert William Hibberson, Miss Dorothy Georgette Long

Sec/Tres Gerald Evey Wellburn (to July) / L. Russell /Thomas Brooke

Paperwork for Benevolent Societies Act to go through later this month

Plans for a new clubhouse submitted and work to be started at the earliest date

March 14 1923

Work continues on the laying out and surveying of the new lot, floorplans for clubhouse

looked at

Club applies for BC Championship for the 440 yard freestyle mens and the 100 yard freestyle

ladies or the ladies 50 yard ladies freestyle and 800 yard mens freestyle

April 27 1923

Special Meeting

Held to discuss the issue of debentures, $300.00 to be issued by the club for construction and

furnishing of a new clubhouse, value of debentures to be $5.00

May 2 1923

Opening of the swim season to be May 19 1923 with a swimming programme

June 13 1923

Mr. Henry Bird resigns as President.

Club gala set for August 11 1923

Club Picnic to be held at Deep Bay August 12 1923

August 1 1923

Mr. Henry Bird agrees to stay on as President for his remaining time in Victoria or until the

end of the year.

September 5 1923

Ladies of the VASC joined a basketball league and used the club name for the name of their

team (they did ask the executive for permission to use the name)

1924

February 6 1924

Club handicap award for 1923 Tommy Wellburn

Election of Officers

President Percy Pitt

Vice President Mens Willis Theodore McNaughton Barrett

Ladies Miss Dorothy Melville

Sec/Tres Joe Ross

March 5 1924

Gracie Wellburn reported that the VASC Basketball Team went through the season

undefeated and was in possession of the league cup.

April 2 1924

The title for the club lot was received and was to be put in the land registry office for

safekeeping.

May 7 1924

Clubhouse official open Thursday May 22 in the evening

A club basket picnic was to be held at Witty‟s Lagoon on Sunday July 6 1924

VASC applies to the CASA for the following BC Championships mens and ladies waterpolo

and the 440 yard mens freestyle

July 2 1924

VASC applies to the CASA for the following BC Championship 200 yard junior mens relay

VASC gala to be held on Saturday August 9 1924

Club picnic to be held at Deep Bay August 11 1924 (some Vancouver swimmers also

attended)

1925

January 7 1925

Good report on the Christmas day swim

Club handicap award for 1924 was Brian Hunnings

February 4 1925

Election of Officers

President John Davidson (Jock) McNeill

Vice President Mens Percy Pitt

Ladies Miss Dorothy Melville

Sec/Tres Thomas Brooke

New Fee Schedule

16 and under $1.00

16-18 $2.00

Ladies $2.50

Mens $3.00

Motion made to contact the management of the new Crystal Gardens to have a gala on the

opening day

March 4 1925

Reunion Party at Mrs. McAllisters on Friday February 27 1925

Letter from Saanich Council regarding rent arrears and that Saanich would accept $50.00 as

full payment for 1923 and 1925

March 8 1925

A visiting Hawaiian swimmer named M. Wehsehlau swam to a new Canadian Open record in

the 220 yard freestyle with a time of 2:52 2/5.

April 14 1925

Team photo taken at Curtis Point Sunday April 26th

1925 at 10:30 am

Proposed list of events for May 24th

or 25th

Gala at the Crystal Gardens (Gala didn‟t happen)

Official opening of the club headquarters Wednesday May 20th

1925 with a basket picnic and

a swim program.

VASC Team and Trophies

Team photo taken at Curtis Point Sunday April 26th

1925 at 10:30 am

Front row, left to right

Doris Graves, Grace Wellburn, Mrs. R.W. Hibberson, Jessie Stott, Ann Balnave, Iris

Philbook, Dorothy Mellville, Kathy Wellburn

Second row

Mollie Wellburn, Foubister, Jackie Clyde, Brian Hunnings, Dave Balnave, W.T. Barrett, Art

Stott,Steve Barclay, Earl Squires, Tommy Wellburn, Frank Gibbs

Back row

Percy Pitt, Mrs. Pitt, Tom Brooke. Mrs. Armstrong, “Jock” McNeil President, Mrs. C.W.

McAllister, Vincent J. Dunn, R.W. Hibberson, C Foxall

June 14 1925

Application made to the CASA for a Swimming Gala at the Crystal Gardens for August 2nd

or 3rd

1925. (meet later set for Tuesday August 4th

1925)

The Crystal Garden was built in the mid-1920's by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a

saltwater swimming pool for the Empress Hotel and the residents of Victoria. The Crystal

Garden officially opened June 8th, 1925 The Crystal Garden‟s first big function was on June

26th, 1925 surrounded by fanfare and a great Carnival, featuring balls, swimming

competitions and other events. The Daily Colonist described it as the “Greatest Swimming

Gala in Victoria‟s History”. It was hosted by the CASA and was billed as "the greatest gala,

either indoor or outdoor, that Western Canada has ever seen. Kathleen Wellburn of the VASC

swam the first length at the new facility. After twelve years of swimming outdoors on the

Gorge (1913 – 1925) the VASC moved indoors to the new pool. Four Canadian

Championships, including the men's 100 and 500 yard and the women's 100 and 200 yard

races were held. It was held in the largest saltwater swimming pool in the British Empire and

all under an incredible glass roof. Designed by world renowned architects Rattenbury and

James, the Crystal garden was constructed in the tradition of the great glass halls of Europe

and included grand ballrooms, tea rooms and a conservatory.

Crystal Gardens 1925

July 15 1925

Annual picnic at Deep Bay on Saturday August 9th

1925 and the club would use the Tally Ho

as a means of transportation

The VASC‟s first major swimming event at the Crystal Gardens was held six weeks after it‟s

opening in June, on Tuesday August 4th

1925. The Daily Colonist headline of August 4 1925

states “World Records Expected to Fall at Tonight‟s VASC Swimming”. The British

Columbia 100 yards championship race was held at the clubs 13th

/14th

annual event.

Swimmers and divers from the Illinois Athletic Club, Cincinnati, Seattle and the VASC took

part in the gala. Events to be held: BC Polo Championships, 100 yard mens championship.

Over the three day gala, amateur races, diving and lifesaving events involved competitors

from up and down the west coast, including Illinois, Washington and Oregon States. John

Weismuller, Stubby Kruger, Robert Skelton, Conrad Mila all from the IAC in Chicago took

part in the gala with Weismuller bettering his World Records in the 100 yard freestyle with a

time of 51 and 2/5ths of a second and Mila setting new World Records in the 440yard

backstroke. Tom Wellburn, of the VASC, set a new Canadian record in the 100 yard freestyle

race with a time of 1:02.45.

World Record Holder

August 13 1925

Minutes suggest that a children‟s gala be held by the VASC in the Crystal Gardens Pool

sometimes in October

Description of August Gala at the Crystal Gardens Pool

September 2 1925

Arrangements under way for the children‟s gala at the Crystal Gardens Pool, letters to be sent

to firms looking for prizes

November 23 1925

Children‟s gala to be held on either Saturday December 19th

or Friday 18th

with 8 races

December 8 1925

Friday December 18th

chosen as the date for the Children‟s Gala at the Crystal Gardens Pool

1926 January 13 1926

Fee reduced

Full Privilege $1.00

Associate Juvenile $ .50

February 3 1926

Election of Officers

President John Davidson (Jock) McNeill

Vice President Mens Willis Theodore McNaughton Barrett

Ladies Miss Dorothy Melville

Sec/Tres Percy Pitt

March 3 1926

Club Gala to be held at the Crystal Gardens Pool March 8th

1926

Club hosts a PNA meet March 26th

and 27th

at the Crystal Gardens Pool (see March 11 1926

for more details)

April 14 1926

JD McNeill given permission to go ahead with pile driving for a new course

Application made to Dominion Government to put up piling

July 21 1926

See May 16th

and June 2nd

1926 regarding clubhouse and new course and July 21st 1926

regarding the building of new quarters and course

Club picnic set for Sunday August 1st at Elk Lake

September 1 1926

Club to host Gala at the Crystal Gardens Pool Monday September 6th

1926 (Labour Day)

September 15 1926

Championship Gala to be held at the Crystal Gardens Pool November 8th

1926

The 2nd

annual Children‟s Gala to be held Friday October 15th

1926 at the Crystal Gardens

Pool

Club handicaps to be held at the Crystal Gardens Pool September 22nd

to December 15th

on

Wednesday nights and a new series to begin after Christmas

October 6 1926

Old club quarters on the Gorge ordered to be disposed of (see Treasurers books)

December 10 1926

Motion made that the Annual Christmas Day‟s Swim to be held at the Elks Quarters, if

permission given.

December 22nd

1926

Discussion held regarding amalgamation with the JBAA, a committee of seven was formed to

meet with them

Motion made that the 2nd

set of handicap races be held on Wednesday nights at the Crystal

Gardens Pool be continued starting January 2nd

1927

1927 January 17 1927

Nominations held for executive positions

February 16 1927

Report on amalgamation talks between the VASC and the JBAA, little progress made and

another meeting was to take place

Annual Meeting

Election of Officers

President John Davidson (Jock) McNeill

Vice President Mens Willis Theodore McNaughton Barrett

Ladies Mrs. CW (Bertha) McAllister

Sec/Tres Percy Pitt

Handicap race award for the period from September to December was given to Frank Hyslop

August 12 1927

Upcoming meet, 15th

Annual VASC Gala, to be held on Labour Day Saturday, September 5

1927 at the Crystal Gardens Pool. Races to be held

Men‟s 100 Yards for the BC Championship

Men‟s 50 Yards for the BC Championship – winner Tommy Wellburn

Junior Men‟s 100 Yards for the BC Championship

Ladies 50 Yards for the BC Championship

Men‟s 200 Yards Relay for the BC Championship – VASC

Men‟s Fancy Diving for the BC Championship – Art Stott

November 3 1927

Intercity gala to be held at the Crystal Gardens Pool on Monday November 7th

1927

November 17 1927

Children‟s gala to be held at the Crystal Gardens Pool on December 9th

1927

December 6 1927

See minutes on this date for arrangements for the Children‟s gala to be held at the Crystal

Gardens Pool on December 9th

In 1927 the 8th

Annual Invitational Christmas Day Swim event was moved to the Inner

Harbour for the 1st time.

1928

In 1928 R.W. Hibberson was President of the VASC.

January 10 1928

Nominations held for executive positions

Motion made that the club‟s night at the Crystal Gardens Pool be changed to Tuesday and

Friday night

The Annual general Meeting for the VASC be held at the Victoria Club Room on Tuesday

February 7th

1928

February 7 1928

Motion made to reconsider moving the VASC club nights back to Tuesday only

Annual General Meeting

58 members in attendance including 8 non-members

Election of Officers

President Robert William Hibberson

1st Vice President Percy Pitt

2nd

Vice President Mrs. CW (Bertha) McAllister

Sec/Tres Willis Theodore McNaughton Barrett

Executive given permission to appoint a coach or coaches

In regards to amalgamation of the VASC and the JBAA it was decided to leave it in the hands

of the executive to meet with the JBAA and report back to the membership

March 6 1928

Intercity gala with the YMCA to be held on March 8th

1928

Mr. Hibberson meet with the President of the JBAA with the view of obtaining swimming

privileges for VASC swimmers and was informed that the JBAA would not likely have

suitable quarters for swimmers this year.

April 3 1928

Club nights for practice are moved to Tuesday and Thursday nights

July 10 1928

A club picnic was to be held on Sunday July 13 1928 at Elk Lake

August 13 1928

Tentative date scheduled for the Children‟s Gala Friday October 5th

1928 with the addition of

October 4th

if needed.

Gala for November 12th

1928 set with the same financial arrangements as the gala held on

June 23rd

1928 …. $75.00 guarantee for the Crystal and then a cost sharing of 40% of the

profit to the Crystal and 60% of the profit to the VASC

October 1 1928

School gala to be held on October 5th

1928

Finances

$100.00 to the Crystal and they pay all expenses then 40% of the remaining profit to

the Crystal and 60% of the remaining profit to the VASC

December 10 1928

Kathleen Wellburn proposed that the VASC provide Polar Bear Pins for the Christmas Day

Swim

1929

February12 1929

Annual meeting

Outstanding event of the year was a new Canadian record for the 50 yard freestyle on May

25th

1928 by Tom Wellburn @ 26 1/5th

seconds.

Tom Wellburn also won the 3 mile Times “Swim through Time” race on the Gorge.

The Children‟s School Gala on October 5th

had over 200 entries.

Annual VASC Gala was held on November 12th

1928 with about 30 swimmers from

Vancouver and 2 from Portland

Still looking for a swimming quarters on the Gorge

Election of Officers

President Tom Wellburn

1st Vice President Warren Long

2nd

Vice President Mrs. Alice Naomi Hibberson

Sec/Tres Willis Theodore McNaughton Barrett

Mr. F Gilbert elected as swim coach.

April 9th

1929

A lot was reported for sale near the JBAA building that might be suitable for the club. A

committee was struck to investigate.

April 12 1929

Special Meeting held regarding land/lot

Committee found a lot on the Gorge, owned by the HBC, price of lot 2 $4,250.00 term would

be ¼ cash remainder at 7% rough building and good rafts, Taxes @ 176.40, feeling of the

membership was that this was too much of a liability for the club.

May 18 1929

VASC offered the Boy Scouts $50.00 for the use of their premises for a summer swimming

quarters.

President and Secretary to interview Mr. Ellison to see if he is suitable to coach VASC

swimmers.

June 10 1929

Motion made that no swimmers privilege fees be charged to members for the 1929 season,

moved, seconded, carried.

Mr. Ellison was appointed club coach.

July 15 1929

School Gala to be arranged

Annual Club Gala to be held in November (around Thanksgiving)

Picnic to be held on Sunday July 28th

1929 at the Boy Scouts ground.

August 11 1929

The Handicap Race award for swims from January to May was won by Miss Betty Pollard.

A picnic was to be held on August 25th

1929 at the Gorge.

September 9 1929

School Gala to be held on October 5th

1929

October 14 1929

Annual club gala to be held on November 11th

1929.

December 2 1929

Each club in BC to give $3.00 to the CASA towards a fund for swimmers expenses at the next

Olympic in LA in 1932, all other provinces have already done this.