COOK STRAIT SWIM

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1929, Page 3

COOK STRAIT SWIM

ATTEMPT BY R. J. WEBSTER. STARTING AT EARLY DATE. WELLINGTON, February 5. Undeterred by the failure ol Miss L. Copplestone to swim across Cook Strait. H. J. Webster, of Auckland, intends t make the attempt at an early date. Webster is at present in Wellington having come down from Auckland to compete in the Kellerniau Cup race on Thursday. He is accompanied by bis trainer, Mr M. Blomlicld. In the last two Kellerman Cup events, Webster lias recorded the fastest time, and to this his aspiration to swim Cook Strait is, no doubt, largely due. In. February of last year. Webster attempted the Strait, but after being, in the water 2.1 hours, !u> was forced t give up on account ol the cold. In that time lie swam about 8 miles, but owing to the effect ol the tide, illactual distance be covered in a slraighi line was four or five miles. In preparation for the swim, Webster has been training in Auckland. Recently be swam the Rangiloto Channel—a distance ol lour miles—and also from Alkie’s Bay to Milford. The hitter swim was of 101 miles, and this he accomplished in just short ol live houit against a wind arid a choppy sea. STARTING IN DAYLIGHT. “ | realise that in my swim across the Strait, my greatest enemy will be the cold, but I mean to make the at tempt,” said Webster, when interview ed yesterday morning by a “Dominion’ representative. Tie said be would slain Wellington and await bis nppdrtnn itv of fine weather and a favourable tide. Whether lie would start the swim from the North Island, as on (lie occasion of bis lormer attempt, or from the South Island, as Miss Topple stone bad done, depended on circumstances. In the absence of any reliable information, lie was not sure as to which course to pursue. “ Of one thing, however. ! am sure,” said Webster. “ I am going to start ‘lie swim in daylight, so as to ha'-’ ■he benefit of the warm sun.” ,N< loubt, be went on. Miss Copplest-me had started during darkness, so as thave the advantage of the sun in tlm bitter stages of her swim. Pei soil 11' as he hoped to accomplish the swim ir seven or eight hours, lie- would star' daylight. If lie could strike the tide which, it "'as reported, travelled at eight knots, be should be able to swim the distance in that time. He would use a special preparation of grease tkeep out the cold. SEVEN OR EIGHT HOURS. Mr Blomfield said that, despite whathad been said, lie thought it possible for the Strait to be swum. The cxuerienre of Miss Copplestone could no! he taken as a criterion—wit h all re spects to that swimmer. Prior to her effort, people bad thought that the 'trait swim could possibly be done, bu because she bad given up after an hour in the water, the general opinion ivw was that the swim was impossible. M’’ Blomfield said Webster was a swimmer „f a different style to Miss Copplostone, and faster. In any case, Wei.ster was going to have a good try. It is the intention of Webster on Sunday to swim between Day’s Bay and Wellington—a distance of seven miles —for the purpose of practising. In the meantime, lie is making ar rangenients for his swim across Cook Strait.