Gruelling swim race kicks off Sarangani Bay festival

MANILA, Philippines - Sarangani Bay, one of the world’s richest tuna fishing grounds, becomes a virtual Olympic pool when the 15km Swim Across the Bay Cross is held May 24.

The extreme relay swim race, set to run from both ends of the bay from Maasim to Tinoto Beach in Maasim to Gumasa Glan, serves as the kickoff of the two-day Sarangani Bay Festival, one of the biggest beach and sporting events in the country.

Regarded as among the longest sea swimming race in Asia, the three-hour relay marathon has been dominated by the Dadiangas Torpedoes of General Santos City for the past five years.

The Gen. San City bets clocked below three hours and edged Sea Lions of Koronadal City and Davao City’s GenSan View Resort for last year’s top honors.

Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez said the swim challenge is also one way of helping Filipino swimmers to compete not only in swimming pools but also in international offshore swimming contests.

He added that Sarangani Bay Festival has become into one of the country’s biggest beach events, which showcases the province’s natural wonders and adventure spots.

In addition to the long-distance race, there will also be 200 to 400 meters Sarangani Swim Challenge in Gumasa for individual swimmers.

Other sporting events that will spice up SarBay Fest are paragaliding exhibitions, beach volleyball, football, a bancarera single fishing boat race, a jetski competition, and a Mountain Bike Ultra 3-Men Challenge around Gumasa.

Some 800 of athletes will compete in various recreational and water sports, plus a host of special events in Mindanao’s best white sand beach.