Sun Moon Lake swim attracts over 21,700

More than 21,700 swimmers from 38 international locations took half on this yr’s Sun Moon Lake International Swimming Carnival in Nantou County yesterday, organizers mentioned.

A complete of 451 swimmers from abroad and 197 swimmers with disabilities participated within the forty fourth version of the occasion, the Nantou County authorities mentioned in an announcement.

The first swimmer to finish the about 3km course from Chaowu Pier on the lake’s northern facet to Ita Thao Pier on the southern facet was a 43-year-old man from Spain who registered below the Chinese title Chao Wei-shin (趙偉信), the assertion mentioned.

Photo courtesy of the Nantou County Government by way of CNA

He completed in a time of 56 minutes and 27 seconds.

Participating within the occasion for the primary time, Chao described the swim as nice and Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) as lovely.

Chao mentioned that he would participate once more if given the chance.

The first swimmer with a incapacity to succeed in the end line was Chang Wei-chieh (張維捷) of Taipei, who swam the butterfly to dash by means of the ultimate stretch, the assertion mentioned.

A longtime participant within the occasion, Chang inspired individuals with disabilities to train and luxuriate in themselves with out being constrained by their situation.

“What everyone else is capable of, we are also capable of doing,” he mentioned.

On Sunday morning, Nantou County Commissioner Hsu Shu-hua (許淑華) launched 10,000 topmouth culter fry into the lake’s waters close to Shuishe Port as a gesture to advertise the safety of the lake’s ecosystem.

She then went to Chaowu Pier to fireplace the beginning pistol and cheer on the swimmers, the assertion mentioned.

Hsu mentioned individuals have been geared up with a chip on their wrists and one other on their buoy boards this yr for the primary time to enhance swimmer security.

The system was geared toward making it simpler to find and determine swimmers who want help, she mentioned.