Conquering the Maricaban Strait Crossing: A Swimmer’s Story
Open water swimming is not for the faint of heart. Jerry Santos, a swimmer from Team CEEPO, completed the Maricaban Strait Crossing, a difficult open water swim event that covers 3.5 kilometers across the channel towards Maricaban Island.
Congratulations on completing the Maricaban Strait Crossing! Can you tell us a little bit about the swim and what inspired you to take on this challenge?
Thank you! Swim starts from Planet Dive Resort in Anilao…we swim around 3.5 kms across the channel towards Maricaban Island. I had a chance to do some pools in Anilao and would always take pictures with the channel and the island on the background..not knowing that someday, i would have the chance to swim across it. So when i found out about the event from my good friend and swim coach Betsy Medalla, i signed up right away!
How did you prepare for this swim? Did you have a specific training regimen or strategy in place?
Our swim sessions at the Village Club were long..sometimes, we had drills for sighting and stroke efficiency..it was always fun!
You swam with a group of friends from Paynet Amigo Tri. Can you talk about the camaraderie and teamwork that was involved in completing this challenge together?
I was fortunate to be swimming with the Paynet Amigo team. They were very organized but at the same time lots of fun! We had a chat group where we shared workouts and logistics around the event day. I felt like i was part of the team.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the swim, and how did you overcome them?
The current: It changed directions during the swim. You had to adjust along the way, making sure you dont go way off the course.
How did you know about the race? Is it something you prepared for for a long time? Or just part of your training for longer race distances?
We had to do the mileage to gain endurance and confidence. Good thing that the racing season has started, it also complimented the preparations for the longer triathlon races.
What was going through your mind as you approached the finish line and completed the swim?
I felt relieved that I was able to make it near the finish line without any major sting or cramping. What advice would you give to someone who is considering taking on a similar open water swimming challenge? Invite your friends to do it with you. It will many times more fun to do it together. And try not to watch any shark documentary or movies in the meantime..hahaha
Finally, what’s next for you? Do you have any future swimming goals or challenges that you’re planning to tackle?
20K swim? For now, focus on IMPH muna.. 🙂
