Annual Ocean Swim soon
The 23rd Saipan Ocean Swim, sponsored by HSBC will be held at the Saipan Diamond Hotel Beach, utilizing the World War II tanks as buoys for the swimmers.
The annual event will take place on March 24, 2001, with the first event beginning at 8:00am. The last event, the Masters, is expected to be finished around noon.
There are four different configurations of the course fronting the Diamond Hotel for the different age groups, both youth and masters, ranging from .6km for the 8 years and under to 2.5km for the Seniors and Masters. There is also a shorter distance of 1.3km for the Masters.
Pre-registration will be required this year, and no entries will be accepted after the first race begins at 8:00am on Saturday morning. The Masters events will begin at approximately 10:30am.
Teams and individuals are expected from Japan, Guam, Palau, Australia, and Saipan Swim Club members. The events are open to anyone who can swim, but again, everyone must pre-register.
Forms are available at the Ada Gym or the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool during open hours. SSC members will be looking at winning as many titles as they can.
Many of the local triathletes will use this swim as training for their upcoming Tagaman Triathlon on May 19, 2001. Rota will also be hosting an open water swim on April 21st, the 2nd Rota Blue Ocean Swim.
For further information see the website at saipanswim.com or contact any of the team members or coaches for information. Registration is $7 but will be $10 after March 15. There is an additional cost for t-shirts and the awards barbeque at the Saipan Diamond Hotel Lanai that same evening.
