WATER TOO COLD.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 February 1929, Page 5

WATER TOO COLD.

MISS COPPLESTONE GIVES UP COOK STRAIT ATTEMPT

AFTER AN HOUR’S SWIM.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

Miss Copplestor.e made an attempt to swim Cook Strait this morning. She entered the water at 12.21 a.in., but owing to its coldness she gave up at 1.18. She returned to Wellington by launch.

DISTANCE NOT THE TROUBLE

DOUBTFUL IF ANY 'SWIMMER CAN CONTEND WITH COLD.

(Ey Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day.

“Cold,” said 'Miss Copplestono this morning, “was the deciding factor. For the first half-hour it was not so bad, but after that it was unbearable. No amount of oil or grease will keep that cold out; and cold will prevent the Strait from being swum. The conditions otherwise were perfect last night, and I am confident that the distance would not have beaten me. It was only the coldness of the water that beat me, and I think it will beat any other swimmer who attempt! it.”

'Miscs Copplestono had contemplated starting at 3 a.m., in which event, if the conditions were favourable, she should have been half-way across by 9 a.m. A fortnight ago she had to abandon her first attempt owing to bad "weather and rough seas. For her second attempt she arrived at Blenheim by service car on Wednesday, and proceeded to Picton, where she was officially welcomed yesterday morning. Miss Copplestone and partyleft by launch for the residence of Mr : and Mrs W. Thoms at To Awaite, in Tory Channel, and later proceeded to Wellington Head, where she was to enter the water. Launches were to have accompanied Miss Copplestone, and if the circumstances had been right she had'anticipated swimming the 24 miles in 12 hours.