The surf reel is believed to have had its origins in 1906 when a member of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, Lister Ormsby built a model from a cotton reel and two bobby pins of a portable horizontal reel for a rope.

The first full size reel was built by Sargeant John Bond of Victoria Barracks in Paddington and was improved on in the same year by Sydney coachbuilder G H Olding, whose final design was used over many decades.

The reel allowed a lifesaver wearing a belt with a rope attached to reach a distressed swimmer. The crew on the beach could then pull them back to shore. It required discipline and control to carry this out efficiently.

While lifesaving competitions still include the use of the reel, it was phased out of active service for rescues in 1994.

Now rescue tubes, rescue boards and 'rubber duckies' (inflatable boats with outboard motors) are used in rescues with the rubber duck responsible for carrying out over 50 per cent of all rescues.

Legend goes that the first person to be saved by a lifesaver using a reel, rope and belt was a young boy called Charlie Smith, who later became the famous aviator Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith.

This rescue method, pioneered in Australia, has been used throughout the world to save thousands of lives.

To celebrate the Centenary of the Reel at Tea Gardens Hawks Nest SLSC a demonstration involving ‘then and now' rescue techniques will be held on Sunday, December 17 at Bennetts Beach, commencing at 11am.

Everyone is welcome to come and watch the clubs displays of a reel, line and belt rescue as well as a tube, board and ‘rubber duck' rescue.

A barbeque will also be available following the display.