Archives for September 2021

Foveaux Strait is regarded as one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the entire world. The 32km (20 mile) stretch of unfriendly sea separates Southland from Stewart Island. It was first discovered by American sealer Owen Smith in 1804 who named it unabashedly, Smith’s Straits. The American’s map was delivered to Philip King, who was the Governor of New South Wales during 1808/9. He changed the name to Foveaux Strait, in honour of his aide Major Joseph Foveaux. For some reason, the name was changed to Tees Strait in 1824 but the original name was easier to say and sounded better so it stuck. The prevailing westerly winds that frequently batter this part of southern New Zealand make the strait infamous for the mountainous seas that effect it throughout the year. French explorer Jules de Blosseville visited the area in his sailing ship in 1823 and wrote, “Whirlpools are frequently confronted and the place is of great peril when the direction of the waves is contrary to that of the wind,” Local Maori already knew about the dangers of the region. They called the frequent gales, ‘death winds’. Despite the treacherous conditions and strong surface currents on Foveaux Strait, Dutch immigrant, John van Leeuwen took 13 hours and 40 minutes to swim across it on 7 February 1963. The gruelling venture has been repeated 11 times with even a teenager making the dangerous swim. The most recent attempt across the strait took place on the 22^nd of February this year by Kiwi swimmer Jonathan Rider. read more