WOMAN'S ENDURANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 468, 25 September 1928, Page 9

WOMAN'S ENDURANCE

SWIMMING OVER TWO DAYS SKIN SWOLLEN BY WATER After setting a world's endurance record by swiming continuously for 54 hours 28 minutes In the Metropolitan Pool, New ork, Mrs. Myrtle Huddleston collapsed as she was being assisted out of the water and was taken to hospital. She was suffering from exposure and exhaustion and could not return home for nearly a week. Two nurses were assigned to give Mrs. Huddleston constant attention. She awakened from her sleep every four hours, being engaged in conversation for a few minutes and then allowed to sleep again. The break in the sleep was to relieve her shock by gradual stages. Mrs. Huddleston previously held the endurance swimming record, having remained in the water for 50 hours and 10 minutes at Chicago last May. She expected to increase her time by at least ten hours In her latest performance. Mrs. Huddleston weighed 20 pounds before starting her swim, but her condition was so serious that she could not be weighed immediately. It is estimated that she lost 25 pounds. The swimmer was making her first attempt at the record in an outdoor pool. She complained that she whs considerably weaker after having to withstand three rainstorms. Also, she suffered from the salt water, her previous mark having been set In a freshwater pool. The salt water had a deleterious effect upon her skin. Her hande and feet were swollen abnormally, and when she was lifted from the water her skin was wrinkled and tender. Mrs. Huddleston is the only woman who has swum the Catalina Channel. She is 30 years old and has a son 12

years old. The son, Everett, lived in a tent near the pool, and cheered his mother during the course of her trial.