READER’S CORNER Notes from ‘Pinoy Aquaman’
DOVER,UnitedKingdom — On Sunday, August 13 (2:30 aminEngland,9:30amPhltime), I will attempt to be the first open water swimmer from the Philippines to swim without stopping the English Channel, a 21-mile (33km) crossing from the United Kingdom to France.
My very experienced boat pilot Eric Hartley of Pathfinder CharterandCSAObserverKeith Oiller informed me yesterday that my tentative swim schedule is this coming Sunday two o' clock in the morning which might slightly change depending on the weather conditions.
I will be abiding the rules of the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) by wearing only a regular swimming trunks, a pair of swimming goggles, and one swimming cap. Wetsuits and other floating devices are absolutely not allowed. The rules also dictate that I should not touch the boat nor can be touched by another person during the entire course of the swim.
I will be swimming continuously or nonstop for approximately 13 to15 hours, except hydration and feeding stops for 15 seconds every 30 minutes, with water temperature of Seventeen Degrees Celsius. The 21-mile English Channel is considered as the "Mount Everest" for open water swimmers from all around the world. While Mount Everest has already been summited by seven Filipinos, the iconic English Channel is yet to be crossed by a Filipino.
I have trained and prepared for this ultimate swim for two years. I have done more than 30 charity swims in the Philippines and in the United States, 15 of which were certified as pioneering or unprecedented marathon swims (10KM or more) by the World Open Water Swimming Association of Huntington, California.
I arrived here in Dover, United Kingdom two weeks ago for the cold water acclimatization training. Hypothermia would be my number one challenge as I am used to the tropical waters of the Philippines.
My swim is principally sponsored by South Seas Vision CATV System and Diadi CCS Poultry Farm courtesy of my wife Racquel Macarine, Philippine Sports Commission through Chairman William Ramirez and Commissioner Ramon Fernandez and COMELEC through Chairman Andres Bautista.
I am also backed up by Speedo Philippines through VP Manish Mahtani, Maldita Man thru Irene Chan, First Consolidated Bank through President Argeo Melisimo, Martello Building Consultancy through Andy Cruttenden, Kennington Masonic Lodge 1381 through Worshipful Master Michael Duque, Congressman Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, and Sparklab.
This swim is dedicated to all Filipinos and to promote cleaner seas and tourism in the Philippines. Hoping and praying for good weather and a successful crossing on August 13.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!!