Strait Attempt Today
(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Jan. 2. Brian Wilson, aged 16, will try to swim Cook Strait tomorrow —his last chance before the tide pattern changes.
The decision to go ahead was made late tonight by the organisers after last-minute advice of improvements in conditions. They learned that a low front just off the New Zealand west coast was collapsing.
and that a predicted southerly was not developing any strength. This could mean a reduction in the Cook Strait chop, and further improvements as the day progresses. Wilson is expected to start from the shingle east of Ohau Point, between 6.30 and 7.30 a.m. If he follows the course of previous swimmers he will strike in an easterly direction into the strait to make sure of gaining distance and crossing currents before turning, about three hours later, to make for Wellington head on the eastern side of Tory Channel.
If he succeeds Wilson will be the youngest to have swum the strait. He also is considered to have a strong chance of improving on the time of 9hrs 34min put up by Keith Hancox. It would not be unusual if he were to be successful on his first attempt as Hancox put up his record on his first attempt. Wilson, a member of a Napier swimming club is also a keen surf life-saver and he had successes in swims against the visiting Queenslanders last week. The two successful previous swimmers were also life-savers.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30948, 3 January 1966, Page 1
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246Strait Attempt Today Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30948, 3 January 1966, Page 1
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