1907 - present

The March Past Parade is a traditional competitive event in a Surf Live Saving Carnival where 12 team members attempt to march in step. They do so while carrying a surf life Saving Reel. Traditionally it was often followed by a Reel and Resuscitation demonstration.

Both North Bondi and Bondi Surf Bathers clubs regularly participated in these events. When the Australian Surf Life Saving Association formed in 1907, it adopted many activities of the Royal English LifeSaving society, including the March Past and Reel and Resuscitation competitions. The ritual has military roots but after service men and women returned from WW1 the March Past appears to have had a bigger presence in the culture of Australian Surf Clubs and competitions. March Pasts have been crowd pleasers at many surf carnivals and have also been a part of formal demonstrations for visiting dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Archbishop Ramsay.

Images courtesy North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, the State Library of New South Wales and the Waverley Library Local Studies Collection.