Friday, November 20, 2009

Open Water Swimming In Thailand

Peter Rettke, Terry Hall, Glyn Davies, Emily Preston, Bruce McDermott, Simon Simms, David Garred and Harrie Schuurmans swam the 4K Rotary Cross Bay Charity Swim in the Bay of Bangkok in Pattaya, Thailand. 16-year-old Emily Preston interviewed by Pattaya Mail said, "I wanted to help. I do a lot of a swimming with school, and I like to help the orphans, too. I love to swim, I’ve never swam in the sea before."

Simon, an Australian expatriate in Thailand, approach the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya for their support to conduct a swim on behalf of the 52 children living in Ban Jing Jai (House of Sincere Heart) orphanage said, "When you’re (swimming) for charity, it’s much easier. Ban Jing Jai is a good one."

Organized by the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya in late October, over 90,000 baht (US$2,700) was raised on behalf of the Ban Jing Jai in Soi Nernplubwan. Chanyuth Hengtrakul, advisor to the Tourism and Sports Minister, said that he hoped the event would go on to become a major one in Pattaya’s sporting calendar.

Two weeks later, the sixth annual 3.5K Pattaya Cross Bay Marathon Swim which saw its maximum field of 40 swim across the beautiful bay.

Looks like Pattaya is becoming the place for open water swimming in Thailand.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association