STRAIT-SWIMMING DIFFICULTIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 17 January 1931, Page 3

STRAIT-SWIMMING DIFFICULTIES

COLD TIDAL CURRENT In a letter to “The Post,” Gerald Fitzgerald writes:—While public attention lias recently been directed to the possible swimming of Cook Strait, 1 have been waiting for some person to explain the difficulties incidental to this adventure; but as no one has come torward the following information may be of interest to those concerning themselves in the i .■lttar. The most important fact in this connection, is that the ocean current upon the East Coast is seven degrees colder than that upon the West Coast. The set upon both coasts is always to the north, except in certain eddies inshore. Tim tidal range upon the East Coast is four feet, six inches to six feet, while upon the West, Coast it is from twelve font six inches to fifteen feet. The flood tide passes from the east through the Strait to the north-west, and it usually runs longer than the ebb tide.

These facts disclose especial difficulties for swimmers, because the distance cannot be traversed without passing under the influence of the flood tide, the coldness of which is more than swimmers are able to withstand. The distance itself is not more than a very good swimmer could accomplish, bill il could in favourable temperatures only be possible in calm weather, and m neap tides, without considering the two areas covered by tide rips which would lie an additional embarrassment. As the velocity of the flood tide through t.he Sira it is always more than that of the ebb tide, it is‘plain, that the passage must always be dominated by the cold flood waters, which is bad enough for the swimmer without the entanglements of currents. 'This does not exhaust the subject it anvone is interested