This Sunday , August 13,2017, the one & only Pinoy Aquaman, Atty Ingemar Macarine, a native Surigaonon and environmental lawyer attempts to be the first Filipino to swim the English Channel..Mt. Everest’s equivalent for swimmers. In a message sent to RMN Surigao by Atty Macarine, he said that, “On Sunday August 13, I will attempt to be the first open water swimmer from the Philippines to swim without stopping the English Channel, a Twenty One – Mile (33KM) crossing from the United Kingdom to France.
My very experienced Boat Pilot Eric Hartley of Pathfinder Charter and CSA Observer Keith 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 touched 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 Thirteen to Fifteen Hours, except hydration & 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.”
Atty Macarine’s swim is part of his lifetime advocacy for clean seas, environmental tourism and climate change awareness.This swim according to him is dedicated to all Filipinos!!
