NOTORIETY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 98, 7 December 1928, Page 8

NOTORIETY

FOB NEW ZEALAND .SWDLMIIiL A BONDI BEACH SENSATION. SYDNEY, November 29. On Saturday last Ronald John Webster, a New Zealander spending a holiday in Sydney was unknown to the thousands of the metropolis. On Sunday reporters were scouring the suburbs to find out where he lived. On Monday be woke to fame, with his picture hi the papers. And ho had not slashed anyone with a razor, nor had he shot a man on sight at a street 1 corner, or won the first prize in a lottery or an art union. He Had merely been for a “little swim” in the surf at Bondi. SEA UNUSUALLY ROUGH. The sea was unusually rough when tins intrepid young man, described as one 0 f the Dominion’s champion swimmers and a winner of the Kel-

lermaii Cup twice in succession, went for his “little swim” and the regular bathers kept close'’ .in to the beach. Not so Webster. . He went right out beyond the breakers, 500 yards from the shore, and 6000 people watched him breathlessly, almost, for they thought that he had been caught in the under-tow and carried

out to sea. It was just such a day for just such a thing to happen. It had already been decided that it was

Loo rough for the regular suiting competitions, and during the afteraeon the life-savers had effected ten rescues. It was after all the bathers who had been in difficulties had been brought ashore, and the beach was regaining its normal appearance, that a man was seen out beyond the breakers. He appeared to he swimming at his ease, hut all the same his position was regarded from the shore as distinctly dangerous. The club members thereupon concentrated on bringing th e man in shore, and several of the most experienced men dashed into the surf without waiting lo put on their life-belts. How-

ever, they were unable to get through the big seas ami were forced to return. As the man was drifting furthcr from the shore, it was decided tlvati it would be impossible t 0 reach him with the life-lines so it was decided to man the surf boat. The crew bad considerable difficulty in steering the craft through the breakers, hut eventually .succeeded in doing so, and ma'de straight for tho spot where the swimmer had been seen. When the boat neared him Webster turned for the shore, and getting a shoot on a good breakei reached the shore before the boat', which was pursuing him. INVITED TO CLUB HOUSE. Webster was invited to the club house, and when he was asked for

an explanation of liis conduct, he replied: “Who owns the Tasman, anyway ” It was explained to him that he could have the Tasman if he ha'd anywhere he could keep it. That was not the point at issue. They

tried to impress upon him that several life-savers had risked their lives drying to( rescue him. Then he appeared to he rather sorry for the episede, and he was advised hy the police not to attempt it again. “I spend a good deal of my time in the surf,” Weshter explained to a reporter. “In New Zealand there are no regulations, and a msii oan swim when and where he likes. Naturally I thought that I could do the same here. I just hopped in and went heyond the breakers for a swim. lam sorry I caused all the trouble. I am going home next

month for more swimming races.”