Vic: Crew use unusual tactics to support van Wisse s Murray swim

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2000
Vic: Crew use unusual tactics to support van Wisse s Murray swim

The crew supporting marathon swimmer TAMMY VAN WISSE is doing everything possible to
keep her going on her 2,400-kilometre Murray River swim.

They're now using a ladybird glove puppet to amuse her as she strokes alongside her support boat.

Yesterday, they caught a large Murray River crayfish which they put in the puppet's mouth.

And they regularly place a plastic frog attached to an oar into the water ahead of
VAN WISSE in a "carrot and stick" bid to maintain her pace.

Now into the 29th day of her journey, VAN WISSE has swum 716 kilometres and is working
on a 34-kilometre stretch to Torrumbarry.

Her swim to highlight environmental concerns about the Murray is due to end at the
river mouth on Lake Alexandrina, south of Adelaide, by February 3 next year.

AAP gfr/ra/jmt

KEYWORD: WISSE (MELBOURNE)

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