12-MILE SWIM IN LAKE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27632, 13 April 1955, Page 7

12-MILE SWIM IN LAKE

ATTEMPT BY GIRL FAILS

FIVE HOURS IN WATER "The Press" Special Service MASTERTON, April 12. With only about a mile to go,-Miss Joan Hastings, of Auckland, was forced to give up an attempt to swim 12-mile-long Lake Wairarapa on Saturday afternoon. She was in the water for five hours, but was finally be ten by a heavy chop and the cold. It was the first time Miss Hastings, who is the New Zealand and Auckland three-mile champion had swum more than three miles. During the swim she showed great courage and stamina, and was applauded by the crowd of more than 2000 as she was lifted from the water.

Miss Hastings was advised by her father, Dr. J. P. Hastings, of Ponsonby, not to make the swim, as she had not fully recovered from a recent attack of influenza. “I advised Joan not to make the swim,” said Dr. Hastings last night, “and she was even examined by another doctor before going into the water. He told her not to swim, too. but she went ahead.” Three others entered the water with Miss Hastings at 9.40 a.m. on Saturday. They were Miss Lila Gillum, of Wanganui, and Messrs Mitchell Tait and Lisle Camplin, of Auckland. Miss Gillum was taken from the water two and a half hours later, and Mr Tait was forced to give in three and a half hours after the start. Mr Camplin, who coaches Miss Gillum and Mr Tait, swam only for a short time to keep the swimmers company. After being taken from the water. Miss Hastings said it was the chop more than the cold that forced her to give up her attempt. She intended to make another attempt. Her sister. Miss Pat Hastings, recently made an effort to swim Lake Taupo with Miss Margaret Sweeney, ofi Auckland. Miss Hastings was obliged to give up just short of her goal. Miss Sweeney succeeded.