EIGHT-MILE SWIM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2413, 30 January 1909, Page 10 (Supplement)

EIGHT-MILE SWIM.

DIVING FROM YARIIA BRIDGES. LADY S.WIMMER’S ENDURANCE. Fourteen swimmers on January 9 essayed an eight-mile swim in the Yarra—from Hawthorn to Prince’sbridge. Of the isix who succeeded none finished less fatigued than the one lady competitor (Miss Ruby Boobicr). '.the swim avus organised by the Richmond Swimming Club, and in order to lend variety to the event, Mr. Alexander Lamb and his pupil, Mr. F. Ala rr, agreed to dive from bridges on route. Not to be outdone by tile sterner sex, Miss Boobier left the water -at the Botanical-bridge, and in company with Lamb and Marr, scaled the parapet. For a lew seconds the girl poised herself on the narrow ledge, cool and confident; then she sprang forward, ancl, with every muscle rigid, entered, the water with a clean shallow dive. The cheering was tumultuous. The progress of tho swimmers was watched with interest by huudreds of people, who followed in motor-boats and smaller craft, while crowds walked the full course along the river bank. Miss Uoobier, liberally smeared with a preparation to keep out the cold, was the first to leave the starting poet. She set off with a sloav, steady, single over-arm stroke, using the left arm at a propeller, and keeping the right akm entirely below water. With the exception of one or two briei changes, in style, Miss Boobier employed the left over-arm stroke throughout the entire swim. From the starting point she was quickly followed by S. M’Laren, J. Freeman, and J. Demmitt, while, five miiiute, filler, another group, M. Opie, A. Piraui. L. M’lutosh and W. Wheatley, took the water. The next batch consisted of C. Harrison, AY. Jones. It. Penn, and A. Itoherston, while A. Lamb and F. Marr were the last to leave. Lamb dived from the Hawthorn-bridge before commencing liis swim. Alter waiting several seconds to perfect Iris balance, he straightened his body and then ailowed himself to fall slowly forward. Once in the air he waved his arms, but before reaching tho water ho gathered himself together, and dived with hardly a splash. , Almost without exception the male competitors made a smart pace at the start. It was interesting to watch the various styles. Lamb relied principally on the single over-arm stroke, and like Miss Boobier. kept liis head well out of water. Marr, who overcame several attacks of cramp without leaving the water,, changed his style more ‘ frequently, and occasionally rested on liis .back. Three or four young fellows dipped their heads loav in the water, and made the pace warm with a double over-arm stroke. The swim started at, 25 minutes to 4. At the second bridge—at Sivan-street — three of the competitors had dropped out. Harrison, M’Laren, and Opie, kept well ahead, but Lamb -and Marr, having overtaken the first batches, remained with Miss Boobier, avlio was swimming, not against time, hut against distance. Just beyond tbe Glen Iris bridge a weatherbeaten old m-an, in a small rowing boat, came up alongside Miss Boobier-, who was struggling to work off an attack of cramp. “Keep it going, girl,” he shouted. “I’m laying a fiver to one that you finish.” Miss Boobier turned her head, "and. with a smile, called hack, “You’ll win.” Then, with a few swift strokes -she reached the “Be-, liauce,” the motor-boat, in which were seated her parents and members of the family. A feAV raisins wore handed to the girl, who then turned to her sister and inquired “How many of tho boys are out?” “About half; a dozen,” was the reply■ A self-satis-fied smile lit up tho swimmer s face. “They ought to he ashamed of thornselves,” she retorted, laughingly, as once more she settled doivn to a steady over-arm stroke.

Glen Iris raihvay bridge Avas reached by Miss Boobier, Lamb, and Man* at 5 minutes to 6, 'and a quarter of an hour later they passed Twickenham Ferry. Just beyond Burnley Ferry the crowds which followed along the river bank found their progress blocked by a little .stream four of ffeo feet .wide, with steep banks. For a few minutes those in the lead paused on the brink. Then there was a sudden push from behind, ancl bicycles and boys toppled over into 2ft of water in glorious confusion. Tho incidentcaused plenty of amusement —'amongst tlie boat parties. It was TO minutes to G when South Yarra bridge was reached. Here a local swimmer mounted the bridge with Lamb and * Marr. He dived neatly and fearlessly, but Lamb showed his superiority by turning a double somersault before reaching the water. Some well-mean-ing'friends handed some fruit to Miss Boobier. but on Lamb’.s advice she rc.luctantly cast it aside.. Once tbe girl shot forward towards the boat and called out, “What aro you going to give me, dad, if I finish P” There was some reference to millinery in the rerffv, and Miss Boobier, Avith a happy