COOK STRAIT1 SWIM

Southland Times, Issue 21273, 19 December 1930, Page 5

COOK STRAIT 1 SWIM

TENTATIVE DATE FIXED. ATTEMPT BY MERCEDES GLEITZE. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December 18. Unless bad weather interferes with the attempt, Miss Mercedes Gleize, the famous long-distance swimmer, will set out on her Cook Strait swim on February 9 next. If the weather is bad, the swim will be 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 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, Miss 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 surface of lhe sea was liable to change easily. Currents were strongest at the spring tides and, if there was any wind, the sea easily became choppy. Miss Gleitze’s boatman will be Mr J. Tait, who has 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 members of the Press. She will probably have 18 witnesses altogether. The swim is to begin from the North Island.