A DIFFICULT FEAT

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 12

A DIFFICULT FEAT

SWIM TO WHITE ISLAND ACCOMPLISHED Heralded by no prior announcement, W. N. Wood, a prominent member of the St. Clair Life Saving Club, favoured fey almost perfect conditions, swam yesterday from St. Clair Beach to White Island, this being the first time such a swim has been accomplished since Professor E. H. Olds did it in February, 1914, under conditions that were much more arduous than those which prevailed for Wood’s swim. Wood’s performance was one that was full of merit, hut responsible swimming bodies are not likely to give encouragement to such attempts unless some more adequate organisation for the attempt is made than was the case yeserday. Wood, who is known as a very powerful swimmer, and was formerly instructor of the St. Clair Life Saving Club, made his attempt yesterday afternoon. Conditions were eminently suitable, the tide being on the ebb, with a current going in the direction of White Island. The water was clear and blue, and the influence of a hot sun made the temperature very mild. When Professor Olds did his swim in 1914 a rowing boat, which was provided by the famous sculler, Mr J. M-Grath, accompanied him, but less sufficient preparations were made for Wood’s attempt, and when he plunged into the surf he was accompanied only by one of the canoes that are used fey members of the St. Clair Life Saving Club, this being manned by J. Swan and W. J. Jarvis. It is stated that life-jackets wore taken in the canoe.

Wood used the crawl stroke, and maintained steady progress throughout the gruelling journey, being assisted, ot course, by the favourable conditions, though tliis does not detract from his great effort, which took less than an hour to achieve. The surveyed distance from St. Clair Beach to White Island is understood to he under two miles. Wood was comparatively undistressed when the island was reached, and was then hauled into the canoe, which then’ started on its return journey. In the meantime, however, people at Cargill’s Castle had seen the swimmer near White Island, and, believing that the canoe had upset and a swimmer thrown out, they sent a ring through to the members of the St. Clair Life Saving Club at headquarters. Apparently news of the attempted swim had not been broadcast, and a larger canoe was then manned, and set out in the direction of the island, only to find that there had been no mishap, and that the swimmer was safe and sound. Even though conditions were so favourable, this should indicate to anyone who may have pretensions to accomplishing the swim to White Island the necessity for seeing that thorough preparations are made since otherwise there is a risk to others than the swimmer concerned.