Swimming: PASA suppports Olango Challenge

Source:
Positive News Media
http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Sports_28/Swimming_PASA_suppports_Olango_Challenge.shtml

MANILA, March 23 (PNA) -- In partnership with the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) will host the 2nd Olango Challenge on April 18.

More than 80 seasoned, competitive as well as amateur swimmers from all over the country are expected to join the Philippine’s only open water marathon swimming event.

This year’s Olango Challenge is designed as a 6-kilometer coastwise swim rather than a channel crossing, and will begin at the pier of Pacific Cebu Resort and will end at the beachfront of Tambuli Beach Club.

The OLANGO CHALLENGE is an annual fund raising event for the benefit of the children of Olango.

The event highlights the importance of having a clean marine environment, raises awareness on the magnitude of preventable drowning incidence in the Philippines and promotes open-water marathon swimming as a sport in which Filipino swimmers should excel.

Last year, the 1st Olango Challenge fielded more than 70 swimmers who swam 5 kilometers across the Gilutungan Channel from Olango to Mactan.

Proceeds will be used to fund the construction of a classroom –an addition to the classroom funded by last year’s 1st Olango Challenge -at Candagsao Elementary School on Olango Island.

The minimum eligible age is 14 years old. Cash prizes are 15K, 10K and 5K for first, second and third placers, respectively. The registration fee is PhP 500 for current PASA, TRAP, PFF and PhilSPADA members.

Registration for competitive swimmers is open until March 27, 2009. Entry forms area available at PBSP located at the 4th Floor PLDT Building, Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City, or at PASA, Rm. 201, Bldg. B, Philsports Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.

Forms may also be downloaded at http://olangochallenge.wordpress.com.

You may also call Riva at (032) 232-5270 or email at olangochallenge@gmail.com.

Some aspects of the swim have been changed from the 1st Olango challenge and here is a summary of relevant information:
Don't take the challenge on unless you are comfortable in the water and consider yourself physically fit.
The swim is a line of 6 kilometers, following the reef contour of the area.
The swim will take place from the pier of Pacific Cebu resort and will end at the beachfront of tambuli beach resort. The first swimmers will enter the water at 1:00 pm. swimmers will swim with a favorable current at their backs.
It will be at a depth where the swimmer will be able to see the seabed and the diverse marine life found therein.

The registration fee for a fun swimmer is P2,000. Fun swimmers are allowed to use fins and masks/snorkels. Complete the swim and you get a t-shirt.
Many interested people are pledging per kilometer payments in support of their friends who are swimming. Some have turned this into a wager, essentially "I will double my pledge if you make it" or that kind of arrangement. Marshalls and safety personnel will be on hand on land and in the water closely monitoring all swimmers. Kayakers and paddle bancas will stay close to the swimmers.
The cut off age is 14 years old.
Anyone who has been in the water for longer than 3 hours will be extracted.
All proceeds generated will go to PBSP's Olango Island Development Program.
A medical certificate is required, this may be obtained from a company doctor.
Further information and instructions can be found at the event blogspot
Payment can be made by cash or check. Make checks payable to "PBSP". (PNA)