NOTORIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3880, 6 December 1928, Page 3

NOTORIETY.

FOR NEW ZEALAND SWIMMER, A BONDI BEACH SENSATION On Saturday last Ronald John Webster, a New Zealander spending a holiday in Sydney was unknown to the thousands of the metropolis. On Sunday reporters were scouring the suburbs to find out where he lived. On Monday he woke to fame, with his picture in the papers (says the Post’s Sydney correspondent). And he had not slashed anyone with a razor, nor had he shot a man on sight at a street corner, or won the first prize in a lottery or an art union. He had merely been for a “little swim” in the surf at Bondi. The sea was unusually rough when this intrepid young man, described as one of the Dominion’s champion swimmers and a winner of the Kellerman Cup twice in succession, went for his “little swim” and the regular bathers kept close in to the beach. Not so Webster. He went right out beyond the breakers, 500 yards from the shore, and 0000 people watched him breathlessly, almost, for they thought that he had been caught in the un-der-tow and carried out to sea. It was just such a diiy for just such a thing to happen. It had already been decided that it was too rough for the regular surfing competitions, and during the afternoon the life-savers had effected ten rescues.

It was after all the bathers vyho had been in difficulties had been brought ashore, and the beach was regaining its normal appearance, that a man was seen out beyond the breakers. He appeared to be swimming at his ease, but all the same his position was regarded from the shore as distinctly dangerous. The club members thereupon concentrated on bringing the man in shore, and several of the most experienced men dashed into the surf without waiting to put on their lifebelts. However, they were unable to get through the big seas and were forced to return. As the man was drifting further from the shore, it was decided that it would be impossible to reach him with the life-lines so it was decided to man the surf boat. The crew had considerable difficulty in steering the craft through the- breakers, but eventually succeeded in doing so, and made straight for the spot where the swimmer had been seen. Wjhen the boat neared him Webster turned for the shore, and getting a shoot on a good breaker reached the shore before the boat, which was pursuing him.

Webster was invited to the club house, and when he was asked for an explanation of his conduct, he replied: “Who owns the Tasman, anyway?” It was explained to him that he could have the Tasman if lie had anywhere he could keep it. That was not the point at issue. They tried to impress upon him that several life-savers had risked their lives trying to rescue him. Then he appeared to be rather sorry for the episode, and he was advised by the police not to attempt it again. „

“I spend a good deal of my time in the surf,’’'Webster explained to a reporter. “In New Zealand there are no regulations and a man can swim when and where he likes. Naturally I thought that I could do the same here. I just hopped in and went beyond the breakers for a swim. I am sorry I caused all the trouble. I am going home next month for. more swimming races.”