Historic Hood River
“Time 13 1/2 min. 1/2 mile”
3-24-2026
Notes
This happy girl is Clara Koberg, posing in 1927 at the Koberg Beach swim area. The caption says she was 10 years old, and she had a 13 1/2 minute time swimming a half mile. I believe it also says “swam in river” which makes the time even more impressive, since there is no wall to push off at each end of a lap. Clara was the daughter of John and Emma (Lage) Koberg, and had a bit of an advantage growing up at a swim beach where at least one brother (Prince Koberg) was a lifeguard and instructor.
There is also this 1929 report from New Zealand she swam the entire Columbia river in 15 minutes 10 seconds.
William C. Seaton
I am familiar with the Koberg name, because in 1944 my Mom and I lived in the Koberg Apartments on Oak Street.