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SSC readies for 27th Ocean Swim
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Posted on Feb 11 2005
Teams from a number of sports continue their fundraising efforts to send representatives for the 2005 Mini-South Pacific Games in Palau this July, and the Saipan Swim Club of the Northern Marianas Islands is no different, as the aquatic athletes are once again hosting the 27th Annual Saipan Ocean Swim in the Saipan Lagoon.
On Saturday, Mar. 19, participants will take part in a local tradition of “swimming the tanks” when they take to the waters behind AJ’s Bar and Restaurant in Susupe and make their way around the semi-submerged Sherman tanks that stand guard over the lagoon.
There will be number of races for swimmers of all ages between the distances of .6-kilometers and 2.5-km. The racers will be divided into male and female categories and put into the following age groups: 8-and-under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-19, and the Masters.
The 8-and-under crowd will traverse the .6-km course, the 9-10 group will swim 1-km, followed by the 11-12 year-olds tackling the 1.3-km lap around the tanks. Participants 13-19 years-old will demonstrate their strength and durability on the 2.5-km course, while the masters (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-and-over) will have the option of either the 1.3-km or the 2.5-km. All of the age groups will race separately, with the exception of the Masters, who will proceed as a one large group.
Participants are advised to get to the beach early, as following a coaches meeting at 7:45am, the first group of swimmers are to report to the course clerk’s station.
To register for the event, visit the SSC website at www.swimsaipan.com for a copy of the form, and email it to swimsaipan@hotmail.com before the Wednesday, Mar. 9 deadline. The cost to enter the water for the competition is $15. Following the races, participants can pay an additional $10 per person to attend the awards breakfast, and opt for a commemorative t-shirt for $12, as well.
For more information about the 27th Annual Saipan Ocean Swim, or to make a donation to the Saipan Swim Club, contact Coach Michael Stewart by calling 322-9474, or via email at swimsaipan@hotmail.com.
