SEVEN HARDY SURFERS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28311, 24 June 1957, Page 12

SEVEN HARDY SURFERS

Race At Taylor’s Mistake

There were seven competitors for a mid-winter surf race at Taylor’s Mistake yesterday afternoon. The hardy surfers, all males, stood on the beach in their swimming costumes shivering with cold and waited for the signal to start. There was a slight drizzle and a cold wind was blowing. The surfers’ bodies, usually wel] tanned by the sun, now stood out white against the grey sand. About 50 spectators stood watching in the background, all of them wearing heavy clothing, and some of them stamping their feet in an effort to keep warm. “Go,” said the starter, and the seven sprinted for the moderate surf. The spectators grinned as they listened to the yells. The swim was about a quarter of a mile, and when the first returned to the shore he had a lead of about 20 yards. The others followed in a close bunch.

“Not Very Fit” “I’m not very fit,” was the first thing that most of the swimmers said when they regained their breath. They were all slightly blue in the face. After several hot drinks the colour returned and they were able to laugh about their experience. Bill Clark, the swimmer who will next year attempt to swim Cook Strait, said recently that he did not think the water was yet cold enough for serious training. Clark swims from . Sumner to Taylor’s Mistake five times a week, wet or fine. A surfer yesterday estimated the water at about 47 degrees.

The trophy awarded to the winner of the surf race yesterday was a combination barometer and thermometer. Members of various surf clubs said yesterday that next year there would be more competitors. Only one woman surfer was game to enter the water yesterday, but she did not take part in the competition. Results were: C. McFadden 1, P. Garratt 2, R. Blair 3.