LONG-DISTANCE SWIM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20162, 24 January 1929, Page 12

LONG-DISTANCE SWIM.

TEN MILES TN FIVE HOURS.

YOUTH'S FINE ACHIEVEMENT.

ARKLE'S BAY TO TAKAPUNA

FIGHT AGAINST STRONG WIND

A remarkably fine swim from Arkle's Bay almost to Mil ford Beach was accom plished yesterday by R. J. Webster, the young Auckland longdistance swimmer, who covered the distance, about eight and a-half miles in a direct line, in 4 hours 58 minutes.

A stiff sou westerly breeze and vana tions of the currents and the tide, which were but a few of the difficulties with which he had to contend, were responsible for the addition of at least another two miles to the distance. At this estima tion, which is more conservative than otherwise, Webster's average speed was a tittle over two miles an hour. Only to those who witnessed the swim could them be any realisation of the difli cultics it involved, difficulties which only the fortitude oi youth were able to overcome. The objective was Takapuna Beacif, and it was only through a partial blindness from tnc stinging spray, accompanied by intense pain, which prevented Webster from reaching his goal. As it is, the occiiion .vill be remembered as one ot the finest achievements known so swimming in New Zealand. Trial tor Cook Strait Swim.

'J lie swim was intended rather as a trial before attempting to cross Cook Strait than as an outstanding accomplishment in itselt. Webstei, who is not yet 21 years of age, attempted the crossing last Februaiy, but was forced to give up through the intense cold after covering about" eight miles. 'Yes," said Mr. L. H. Gawlev, his backer, after the effort vesterday," 'we made all preparations for nn attempt this time Inst year. Webster will have another try when he goes down to Wellington for the Kellennan Cup contest within a week or two.'

When a stmt was made by launch yesterday mo:ning Webster intended to go to Tin and to swim from there to Takapuna Beach, a swim he had contemplated for some time. Lie was accompanied by Mr. Gawlev, Mr. li. Blomfield, his trainer, and a number of supporters from the Takapuna Surf Club, to which he belongs. The launch was the Syria, owned by Mr. F. W. Jeffers. The wind was already faiilv strong, and it was obvious that conditions at T'ri would be against the swirr being made, but Webster was not to be deterred, and the launch left Takapuna Beacfi shortly before 10 o'clock. By the time Tin was approached the wind hao freshened considerably and a heavy sea was running, pounding against 'he launch and sweeping from bow to stern. 'I he idea was consequently aban doned, not so much from doubt of the swimmer's ability to reach the compara tivo shelter of the mainland, as from the impossibility of either the launch or the dinghy keeping in touch with him while he was in the water.

Choppy State of Sea A course was set for the mainland, and Webstei decided he would swim from Arkle's Bay. Even in the shelter of the bay the wind was strong and lashed the water into hu unpleasant-looking choppiness. Toward Auckland the sea was a mass of "wlute horses." But even the sight of them was not sufficient to deter the young swimmer. After he had been massaged a party went ashore, where he was given a liberal coating of grease, and witnessed only by a few curious inhabitants and those on the launch Webster stepped into the water at 12.39 p.m. "Where is he going'" asked two girls on the beach. "To Auckland," was the reply. '"Oh, go on," they said unbelievingly, And it was not to be wondered at since the water looked chilly and there was not a calm patch to bo seen anvwhere.

Striking out across the wide estuary at the mouths of the Wade and Okura Rivers, Webster immediately employed the powerful yet easy overarm and scissor kick which he was to use for practically the whole distance. Almost every wave carried with it a white crest which dashed over the swimmer's head, which he holds unusually high out of the water. The effect of the 'spray was noticeable from the start, and before he had covered more than half-a-mtlo he was carried 50yds. or more toward 1 lie shore. At th;s stage, too, he removed his ill-fitting goggles and was forced to face the waves and wind with Ins eves unguarded.

Too Rough lor Dinghy. Four men set out in the large dinghy to keep close to Webster, but found it impossible to manage it in the disorderly waves, and returned to the launch. Hie swimmer's action was at the rate of 60 strokes to the minute. Forty-three minutes were taken to cross the estuary, and past the Okura beacon the sheltering cliffs made the going a little easier. "Sea too choppy," said ' the swimmer when asked how he was doing. For a short time Webster s brother took the water opposite Long Bay to keep him company, but apart from this he was unaccompanied for practically the whole distance. His brother stated when lie returned to the launch that the water was cold on the surface, but deeper was fairly warm. Approaching Gull Point Webster refused nourishment and said he was all right,, and thought he would be able to do it. To those in the launch it appeared lie certainly would, lie was still doing 60 strokes to the minute and showed no signs of tiring, although Gull Point is about four miles bv the course he took from the starting-place. "I can last it all right," Webster said approaching Brown's Bay, when he was given nourishment, the first he had taken, in the form of some meat extract. Off Brown's Bay he adapted his stroke to the longer wash in a masterly style, but the wind had increased in violence, and blew showers of spray across the bay from the crests of the waves Even in the wel l fitted launch things were far from comfortable, as the sea-sick dog which was od board would testify. Trouble with the Eyes.

At Murray's Bay Webster spoke of the cold and headed 'closer in-shore. changing his overarm stroke for the first time to a side-stroke, which he used only for a short time. The wind was nnabating and spray continually flew over the launch, but the swimmer kept on. Past Campbell's Bay he resorted to breaststroke for a time, but after a heavy shower of rain when approaching Milford his eyes, which it was noticed before had been giving him trouble, appeared to be much worse. He had complained once or twice previously and at times was seen to be swimming blindly. He was taken from the water when almost abreast of the Wiirau estuary at 5.37 p.m. It had been anticipated he would be unable to stand when aboard the launch, but much to everybody's astonishment, apart from the trouble with his eyes, he showed practically no effects from Ins long immersion. Indeed it was obvious that he must have reached Takapuna Beach if he had been possessed of a suitable pair of goggles. "I will have a go from Tin one of these week-ends," he said He had not noticed the cold, but the wind was stronger than the tide, and the spray was biting. He thought he would be able to cross Cook Strait, but he would wait until the weather was suitable before he attempted it. Webster, who lives at Takapuna, is a fine build and is about list. 7!b. in weight. He has gained the fastest time in the Kellerman Cup two years running.