COOK STRAIT SWIM PLANS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 December 1930, Page 5

COOK STRAIT SWIM PLANS

MERCEDES GLEITZE PREPARES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 18. Miss Mercedes Gleitze, famous longdistance swimmer, will set out on her Cook Strait swim on February 9. The swim is to be made from the North Island. If the weather is bad the swim will bo postponed until February 25. The swimmer is waiting 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 since her arrival she has been interviewing those who have the best knowledge of conditions in Cook Strait. She has spoken to Captain O’Neill, Mi’ J. Tait, fishermen, harbour board employees and others. February 9 is the date of the first neap tide in the month, Miss Gleitze explained, and February 25 that of the second. Neap tides were best for such swims because during spring tides the weather and the surface of the sea was liable to change easily. Currents were strongest at spring tides and if there was any’ wind the sea easily became choppy/ Miss Gleitze’s boatman will be Mr J. Tait, who has had considerable experience of Cook Strait. There will be a crew of five in addition to those whom Miss Gleitze invites as witnesses, including friends and pressmen. She will probably have IS witnesses altogether.