We got the call 8.30 pm Wednesday. It was all on. Food to prepare, clothing packed etc, all ready to be down at Mana Marina at 5.30 am. Sleep was fitful, as you can imagine.
Arrived at jetty all decked out in thermals/jackets etc. It was very cold but not too much breeze and Annie in great spirits. Left about 5.45 am and headed to Ohu Point, just past Makara.
Philip Rush, the organiser of the Cook Strait swims, had the job of covering Annie in thick layers of grease (I think he loved that) and she entered the water at 7.56 am.
Temperature unbeknown to her was 14 degrees (bloody cold). She got straight into it, and with a wee bit of tidal assistance covered 5km in the first hour - Ann was right on track.
Then we came across 3m swells which were running diagonally to Annie's course. They did not seem to be any problem for her and she was still swimming very strongly.
Temperature of the water was taken again and it had dropped to 13.5!
A large container ship was approaching and the RT was used to let the crew know a little bit about the swimmer. People were up on the bridge shouting out 'Good Luck' and 'Go Annie' which was really encouraging.
About 3 hours into the swim one of the navigators informed me that the current was extremely strong and with the diagonal swells it had started to push Annie off course.
She swam for another 4 hours, the swells dropped off and the water temperature rose to 16 degres, but unfortunately the tidal pull was too great and began dragging her up towards the Kaptiti Coast.
We pulled her out of the water after 7 hours of swimming. A COURAGEOUS ATTEMPT at one of the most dangerous and changeable stretches of water.
WELL DONE ANNIE. We are very proud of your effort.
PS Jannene and I went for a swim at Oriental Bay the next day ... wetsuits, neoprene helmet and cap, and after 40 minutes the cold got to us .... do not know how Annie lasted 7 hours in only togs.
Carmel |