GOOD TIME MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 107, 16 February 1948, Page 5

GOOD TIME MADE

SWIM FROM KAPITI ISLAND TO MAINLAND (P.A.). WELLINGTON, Fob. 15. Four youths who set out in swim from Kapiti Island to the mainland tins afternoon all reached Paraparaumu Beach safely in the surprisingly quick time of 21 hours. II is believed to he the firsl time the journey lias been made by swimmers other than Maoris. Commenting on the experience one of the youths, Roy Holmes, said that apart from frigid when some porpoises approached and finding the waves and rip more troublesome than expected, I he. swim was uneventful. He said he understood the shortest distance between the island and Hie mainland was 31 miles, but it was estimated that, carried south by the tidal current, they covered a distance of between six and seven miles.

The event was promoted by the Pel one Amateur Swimming and LifeSaving Club, and I lie swimmers were four of its members—Roy Holmes, aged 17. Tom Pearson, aged 18, Barry Daniels, aged 21. and Vernon Lisler, aged 21. Selling out from tin* northern end of the island al 12.47 p.m.. Ilia swimmers readied Paraparaumu Beach, roughly opposite the southern tip of the island, well separated from, one another. Pearson came ashore at 3.2 p.m., Bister 3.4 p.m.. Holmes at 3.10 p.m. and Daniels at 3.20 p.m. Twelve launches circled the swimmers during (In* whole journey.