UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO SWIM COOK STRAIT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3751, 7 February 1928, Page 2

UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO SWIM COOK STRAIT.

EFFORT ABANDONED HALF WAY OWING TO COLD.

Blenheim, February 5

After a plucky effort, Ronald John Webster, who essayed to swim 'Cook Strait from Terawhiti, in the North Island, to Wellington Head, in the South Island, was forced to desist on Saturday by the cold, after being in the water for two hours and a quarter, and covering about eight miles. Although Wellington Head is in the South Island, it is actually north of Cape Terawhiti, where Webster entered the water at 9.15 a.m. It was anticipated that he would benefit b}' a northerly set of the tide at that hour, but as is often the case, Cook Strait w r as not ameuable to the rules of the tide, and a strong southerly set was encountered, which made the swimmer’s task doubly hard. The distance between Terawhiti and Wellington Head is estimated in a straight line at fifteen miles, though, on account of tides, a swimmer would probably have to cover at least twice that distance. The weather when Webster took to the water from a little beach at Terawhiti, where he was landed, was cold and dull, and there was a fog in 'evidence, which obscured the South Island, though The Brothers Islands were .visible. The water was very cold, and there was at the time quite a chop in evidence. From the outset Webster spoke only twice, and on each occasion it was to remark on the cold. He was fed from time to time with egg flips and bovril, which he consumed in the wafer, and lie was covered with tallow as some protection from the cold, but it was obvious to all on the accompanying launch, who were glad to huddle in their greatcoats, that the cold was too intense for any swimmer to face for an extended time.

Swimming a strong double overarm stroke, with scissors and crawl kicks alternating, Webster made good progress from the outset, though the southerly current steadily carried him along the North Island coast in the direction of Wellington. By 9.50 he was in the dreaded Terawhiti “Rip,” but he was clear of it within ten minutes, and at 10.19 was approximately two miles off shore on a line drawn between Karori Light and The Brothers. f He then encountered rough water south west of Terawhiti, and this held him up for some time, .while he was now in the full grip of the southerly set, and making little progress towards his goal. By 11.15 lie was through the worst of his troubles, and the sea was calmer, while the wind appeared to be dropping, but he reported that the water was colder than ever.

At 11.20 he exhibited signs of distress, and took the first rest floating since the start. The dinghy was manned, and at 11.26 Webster was hauled abroad in a helpless condition, blue with cold and numbed all over. However, he responded quickly to restoratives, and was soon completely recovered.

He stated ’that from the outset the water was unbelievably cold, and it appeared to numb his brain. The launch reached Terawaiti at 2.30 p.m., and those aboard were amazed when Webster peeled off and went in for a swim, “just to try out his muscles.” He states that he will again attempt the swim at a more favourable opportunity. Webster is a member of the Ponsonby Swimming 'Club, Auckland, and a well-known distance swimmer. He is the holder of the three mile championship and a winner of the Kellerman Cup. He created a very favourable impression among those on the launch on Saturday, for his pluck and determination in the face of difficulties.