Torpedoes dominate 15-km Sarangani swim

MANILA, Philippines - Despite strong currents at open sea, the Dadiangas Torpedoes of Gen. Santos City ruled the 15-kilometer Swim-Across-the-Bay relay race as part of the ninth  Sarangani Bay (SarBay) Festival held in Gumasa, Sarangani.

The two-time defending champions, the Torpedoes clocked-3:36:46, edging new entrant Aqua Valley Gliders from Koronadal City, South Cotabato (3:53:57), and the Kidapawan City Team of Cotabato Province. (4:00:46)

The Torpedoes, however, failed to break their last year’s record at 2:34:21.

Composed mostly of teenagers, the swimmers set off at 6 a.m. in Kamanga, Maasim to Tango, Glan.

“It’s hard for us to navigate because of the strong current. During our first few minutes in the water, maraming jellyfish kaya grabe ang iwas namin. We were a bit disappointed because didn’t surpass our time last year, but of course we cannot complain being the first to finish the competition,” said Lawin Dacera, 20, of Dadiangas Torpedoes.   

Just like in the previous years, the Gen. Santos tankers maintained their coordination and teamwork and encouraged each other to endure the challenge.