Articles About Walter Poenisch’s Plans To Swim From Cuba To Florida
Diana Nyad claims that the Cuba-Florida crossing was her idea, but Walter Poenisch began planning for a similar crossing by 1967. Unbeknownst to Poenisch, his agent, Chuck Jones, also represented Nyad. Jones had given Nyad the idea of swimming around Manhattan “to raise her profile.” He may have also given her the idea to swim from Cuba to Florida, courtesy of Mr. Poenisch.
1967
St. Petersberg Times, Dec 7:“Two Seek To Swim Across Florida Straits”
Orlando Sentinel, Dec 20: “Their Goal: A Swim From Cuba To Florida”
1968
Tampa Tribune-Times, Jun 2: “Mermen Eye U.S.-Cuba Swm If Fidel OKs It”
Tampa Tribune-Times, Aug 16: “Pair Set For Long Swim”
St. Petersberg Times, Aug 23: “Dippity Duo Set For Sharks”
1971
Ft. Lauderdale News, Aug 12: “Just A Nice, Relaxing Swim”
Ft. Lauderdale News, Dec 11:“‘Tiger Juice’ Poenisch Eyes Cuba-Lauderdale Swim”
1972 — Diana’s at Lake Forest College, just north of Chicago
Miami Herald, Apr 26: “‘World Strongest Swimmer’ Eyes Cuba-Florida Marathon”
Ft. Lauderdale News, Apr 30: “‘Swim Of Century’ Set For June 20”
Ft. Lauderdale News, Jun 8:“Poenisch: A Cagey Swimmer . . .”
Chicago Tribune, Jun 24: “Cuba to Florida Swim”
Ft. Lauderdale News, Jun 24: “Poenisch’s Ocean Swim Rescheduled For Tuesday”
New York Times, Jun 24: “Storm Delays Distance Swim”
Alton (Illinois) Evening Telegraph, Jun 29: “Sharks chase swimmer; he calls it off”
Mexico (MO) Ledger, Jun 30: “Sharks Break Up Record Ocean Swim”
1975 — Diana swims around Manhattan
Ft. Lauderdale News, Dec 3: “Walt Poenisch, 62, Imitates Tugboat In Marathon Swim”..
1977
Orlando Sentinel/Florida Magazine, Nov 27: “AHEAD OF THE NEWS: 64-Year Old Dream”
