ACROSS THE STRAIT

NZ Truth, Issue 1205, 3 January 1929, Page 7

ACROSS THE STRAIT

Formidable Attempt To Swim From South To North MISS COPPLESTONE'S PLANS

(From "N.Z. Truth's"- Special Christchurch Representative)

If there is one branch of sport m New Zealanp^n which Eve has predominated oyer her masculine rival, it is swimming, and it is a striking commentary on the unenterprising male of the species that he sits idly by allowing the home-grown mermaids to go hunting the laurels. The legendary swimming of Cook Strait is attributed to a wahine. Shortly, a white woman will attempt an emulation of the feat.

WITHIN a few weeks Lil. Copple- ' stone, the \ 19-year-old Christchurch girl, Avill essay tp swim Cook Straits, starting from the South Island, and, if successful, landing sorhewhereo on the west coast m the, vicinity of Porirua. b ' In an exclusive interview with "N.Z., Truth," Miss Copplestone was buoyant with enthusiasm and confidence conr cerning her chances of success. • All she fears is the temperature of the water, which is colder than that m the English Channel;-^ There- are rib warm currents lapping the southern extremity of . the North Island, and the only attempt which has so far been made to cross the Strait was negatived by the coldness of the water. . , '„;, *.*''. Miss Copplestoi\e has chosen a suitable date m mid-

summer — January 16 or thereabouts — when the- weather should be favorable and the water at 'its maximuha .temperature, and if courage and deter- ■' mlriation stfend for an y th ing 7 V she should succeed. Miss Co p piestone's ' attempt to cross 'the Strait is not made at this juncture m any effort to forestall Miss Mercedes Gleitz, the young London ty piste, who wishes to add Cook Strait to her English « Channel and Gilbraltar successes. The New Zealand swimmer has had the project m mind for a long time and her success m last ye a r's Kellerman Cup race across Otago Harbor hastened her decision to tackle the narrow,' but treacherous channel which • divides the North from the South Island. As will he seen from the accompanying picture of Miss Copplestone, she is endowed with, unusual physique, for a girl of nineteen years, and by January 16, when she will have completed her training for the attempt, she will lack nothing on the score of condition. It was the general impression that the notorious Terawhiti Rip would prove the Waterloo of any ambitious Strait swimmer, but unless she is carried a long way out of her course by currents, Miss "Copplestone hopes tb avo i d ... th i s treacherous meet-ing-place of crosscurrents. If the tides ahd weather are suit-

able, Miss Copplestone will take the water about 2 a.m. on January 19, from Cape Koamaru, at the head of the Sounds, and the nearest point to the North Island, and will set ' a course direct for the coast near Porirua. The girl has been training for many months past and is being finished off by Len. Moorhouse, who recently returned to New Zealand from the Olympic Games. by • "I know what a hard task I' have' set myself," she told "Truth," "but I am confident > that if luck favors me I will get across if it is ever to be done by anybody." Miss Copplestone 1 expressed thanks to Captains Barnsdale and Fisk for a great deal of information supplied about currents and tides; to Mr. Hartley, of Picton, who has offered to follow her m his

launch and also to the: proprietors of the fishing - boat "Marl b or o v gh" who have made a similar offer. Concerning herself, Miss Coppleet'one xvas extremely modest. She has, however, a notable record, with the crowning success of the Annette. Kellerman Cup, the symbol of New Zealand's acquati c m marathon for all-comers df both sexes. ; Miss Copplestone has been a. member of the United Swimming Club of Christchurch,) for th£ past six years, though at the present time she is living at Ashburtoni whither her firm transferred her. In her first year, as a junior, she was^secbnd m the .national 100 ,yard% and won the Canterbury -75 yards, and 100 yards titles. Since- that season she has represented, Canterbury five times at the national championships. -.7 She was .twice placed m the diving championships and last season won the 'event from Roy Caulder and Wally Hicks. In the past four seasons, Miss Copplestone has, demonstrated , her versatility by xvinning almost every provincial title — free style, . backstroke and breaststroke — over all distances, as well ias the diving title — a record which is likely to stand unequalled for many seasons. Miss Copplestone has youth, health and strength m her favor and she deserves to succeed m her formidable task. .