Twisting The Time Away

The Twist, the latest American dance craze, made its debut in Gisborne recently when a city coffee house staged a twist marathon. Approximately twelve "twisters" took the floor at 8.15 on a Friday night to make their bid for the world twisting record, which at that time, stood in the vicinity of 100 hours.

Twenty-four hours later, only three remained...two girls and a boy. At 11 o'clock Saturday night one of the girls, Pamela Collings, collapsed and was taken home. The remaining two continued.

Meanwhile, record crowds filled the coffee house, satisfying their curiosity about this "twisted" endurance test.

By day-break on Sunday morning, Harley Te Hau had thrown in the sponge. Martha Watene, the sole survivor, twisted on. Although comparatively fresh, and still full of determination, she was experiencing trouble with a knee.

At 1.45 on Sunday afternoon, after twisting continuously for 41½ hours, the condition of her knee had deteriorated, and on her doctor's advice, she retired.

For this valiant effort she received a cash prize and goods to the value of £40.