Creation and direction: Penny Lowther and Soraya Del Castillo
Choreography: Wendy Regan
The Bathing Belles were launched at Wollongong’s International Women’s Day pool party, Diving For Girls at the Continental Baths in March 2001. Harking back to the early days of synchronised swimming, this beautiful and gentle performance warms the heart and puts a smile on your face. Pink-capped bathing beauties in all shapes and sizes did aquatic themed acrobatic balance and choreographed pool diving to an enthusiastic audience.
The stunning coastline provided an atmospheric backdrop to the circus acts. The Bathing Belles made front-page news with their historic costumes and quirky themed performance gaining the attention of the Illawarra and helping position Circus WOW as a significant community cultural organisation, which celebrates and recognises the substantial contributions women make to society, culture and the arts.
Since this day, the Bathing Belles have been a signature act throughout Circus WOW’s history, appearing across multiple circus arts disciplines including aerial, dance, hoop and acrobatic arts at numerous events and festivals throughout Australia. When the North Beach Pavilion was renovated in 2012, the Bathing Belles were called upon to help add the WOW factor to the community celebration and again in 2018 for the official opening of the updated Tramway completing the renovation of the North Beach foreshore for the Wollongong community.
—Wendy Regan