The Monmouth inquirer., 1925-08-20
The Highlands SWimms

Miss Gestrude Ederle taught herself
to swim in childhood, picking up a
~serviceable stroke while playing around
in the water at Atlantic Highlands. N. j,
where the family owns a cottage and
has spent the summer for many years. It
was not until she joined the Women's
Swimming Association in 1920. however
that she learned the crawl and began
adequately to exploit her exceptional
natural workmanship.
The following season she displayed
the first signs Of the wonderful speed
that was to make her a world beater ano
she improved steadily thereafter, but
she virtually was unknown to aquatic
fans in August, 1920 when she leaped
into fame with one of the greatest sen
sations in the history Of swimming. The
memorable 81 mile international race
for the Day Cups, held In New Yorl
was the occasion.
But it is q momentous undertaking
to swim 20 miles under channel con-
ditions. The water is bitterly cold, reg.
i~stering usually under 60 degrees in
midsummer, and almost invariably part
of the trip must be made in ehoppy
or rough seas, as any stirring breeze
SGbS JUE Clldl1lcl III n4O AOIs NV A4AbJ
are possessed of the physical assets
courage and determination necessasy to
accomplish the gruelling test.
No sooner were the Florida classics
over, however, than she suddenly re-
gained top form, turned the table on
her vanuuishers and wiped out sew
eral of her own the latter's world
records. Then on the even Of her
e., Efa,.1ar,1 IN of%aVnnf 4hE
channel swim, she achieved ths most
astonishing feats in the annals Of the
natatorial sport, smashing he worlds
standard for 150 yards one day and
breaking the mems record for the
twenty-one mile course, from the
Battery to Sandy Hook, the next. She
is recognized at present IS the great
est all-round free-style swimmer OF
her sex ever developed.
One Of the most pleasing features
of Miss Ederle's remarkable success
is that it has left her modest to a
degree totally unspoiled. She is 9
generous winner, a good loser, anC
these traits, added to high spirits, q
cheerful disposition and friendly
manner, have made her a universal
favorite. Notwithstanding her preni'
QenC6 III Abui0blCb size - very AAAOA VI
a home girl. Her parents tho well to dc
| believe in practical training for their
daughters, and Miss E ierle's and hel
sister share the household duties.
a thoroly healthy, wholesome ont
! door girl, Miss Ederle is fond Of Othei
sports besides swimming, and particu
larIy enjoys skating; but she says thu
one thing she would rather do thar any
. other is drive an automobile. As shs
owns her own car and is IN expert
chauffeuse, she does not lack oppor-
tunity to indulge in her favorite pas
time.
Miss Ederle is stockiIy built and pow
erful, with unusually broad shoulders
and a tapering body. Just before she
sailed for Europe she underwent q
thoro medical examination and wai
declared the most perfect specimen o.
Young womanhood the examining ply.
sicians ever had run across. They were
amazed to ascertain a chest expansion
of nearly eight inches. 1t isof interest thai
when Jabez Wolfe, the Enlish trainer
who prepared her for the channel swim
was asked concerning her chances, ht
stated that they were excellent; for sh'
possessed extraordinary speed and sht
was as strong as a man.
Gertrude Ederle, the s~eventeen-yeal
old American girl, tried to swim th'
English Channel and failed.