COOK STRAIT SWIM

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 19, 24 January 1929, Page 4

COOK STRAIT SWIM

WEBSTER TO TRY AGAIN"

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 23rd January

11. J. Webster, tho long-distaiico swimmer, to-day swam from Arkle's Bay almost to Milford Beach, a distance of about eight miles and a half in a direct lino in 4 hours 58 niin.utes. A stiff south-westerly breeze and variations of currents and tide wore responsible for the addition of at least another two miles to the distance.

The effort was intended as a trial for tlifi Cook Strait swim,-which he will

attempt in a week or two. He originally intended to swim from Tiri, but stormy conditions made this impossible. As it was, Webster had to contend practically all tho way with a strong wind and a heavy sea. A dinghy which sot out to keep close to him was unmanageable in the waves, and had to return to the launch. ' Webster used a powerful overarm and scissor kick at tho rate of sixty strokes to the minute. Tho only nourishment given was some meat extract. Ho had to discard some- ill-fitting goggles, and had some, trouble with his eyes, but apart from this ho showed practically no effects from his long immersion when taken on board the launch when almost abreast of Wairau Estuary.