COOK STRAIT SWIM

Evening Star, Issue 20671, 19 December 1930, Page 4

COOK STRAIT SWIM

MISS GLEITZE'S INTENTIONS fPBB U XITED PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] December 18. Unless bad weather interferes witlj the attempt Miss Mercedes Gleitze, the famous long-distance swimmer, will set out on her Cook Strait swim ou February 9 next. If the weather is bad the swim will be postponed until February 25. The swimmer is wait# ing until the sea is at its warmest* In making these dates known to-day; Miss. Gleitze said they were not absolutely final, but she had made full inquiries, and it was unlikely that anything would upset them. ' During the two days which have, elapsed since her arrival she has been interviewing those who have the best knowledge of the conditions in Cook Strait. She has spoken to Captain O’Neill, Mr J Tait, and fishermen, Harbour Board employees, and others., February 9 next is the date of; the first neap tide in the month, Alisa Gleitze explained, and February 25 that of the second. Neap tides were* the best for such swims because during the spring . tides the weather and then surface of the sea were liable to change easily. The currents were tha strongest at the spring tides, and there Was any wind the sea easily be* came choppy. Miss Gleitze's boatman will he Mil J. Tait, who has ■ considerable experience of Cook Strait. There;will be al crew of five, in addition td~ those whom’ Miss Gleitze invites as witnesses, including friends and members of the. Press. She Will probably have eighteen witnesses altogether. The. swim is to. begin from the North Island.