This Sunday may have held a special significance for our American cousins, but from now on July 4th will also be remembered in Bali for the birth of the Bali Ocean Swim with Bali Sports continuing to make positive waves on the island with it’s latest event as part of the inaugural Bali Charity Beach Games.

First thing on Sunday morning, whilst many islanders no doubt were just rising, 33 swimmers from all over Asia and the Pacific were taking to the sea just off Kuta beach, swimming in either the 1.2km or 5km category.

The race as you could expect had a distinctly Indonesian flavour, with orthodox buoys being replaced by traditional jukungs that marked a course that gave competitors a magnificent view of the nearby reef. The only thing that was distinctly un-Balinese-like was the inclement weather that threatened to dampen already aquatic proceedings. However, soon after Olympic Gold medal winner Robert Windle sounded the starting horn (and breaking it in the process by the way, cheers Bob!) the swimmers hit the water, the clouds parted like the red sea and normal, sunny service resumed. Despite the improvement in the weather the rain seemed too much of an ominous omen for some and seven competitors dropped out after just a few hundred metres. However the vast majority of entrants soldiered on, fighting the moving tides and currents with aplomb.

As well as sporting glory and the chance to conquer the Indian Ocean, swimmers were also raising money for the Bali Sports swimming programme, tasked with teaching swimming and water safety to the children of Bali. All funds raised on the day are being used to directly fund the programme and it was a great statement to the purpose of the day to be visited by the children of the YCAP orphanage in Jimbaran. Children with disabilities who are the pioneering youth for the programme.

First back on dry land was 17-year-old Kyle Druery from Australia. Winning both the junior AND overall 1.2km category with a simply blistering time of 17 minutes and 47 seconds, smashing the current record in the process. Completing the podium for the juniors were Ricky Darmawan and I Made Dai Darma. For the 17-35 category, gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to I PutiTak Valentino (18 minutes 11 seconds), Prabu and Kembarsuta and for the mighty veterans I Ketut Sugita led the charge with a time of 25 minutes 39 seconds, silver went to Owen John and bronze to Craig Johnston.

Whilst the medal winners for the 1.2km and fellow competitors relaxed and enjoyed the luxurious facilities provided by the Bali Garden Beach Resort the 5km marathon men and women were still pounding on. However spectators didn’t have long to wait as barely 10 minutes after the last 1.2k competitor wearily crossed the finish line, the winner of the 5km was claiming his medal!

In a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes and 17 seconds Amos Tan of Singapore claimed the men’s and overall 5km title. Another Bali record left in tatters. Finishing barely 30 seconds later silver was awarded to John Koorey, still whipping most of the youngsters at the age of 66 years young! Bronze was awarded to local Sudarta.

In the women’s category, AmyLee O’Connor took gold, finishing 3rd overall, in a similarly eye watering time of 1 hour 6 minutes 14 seconds, whilst silver was awarded to Agatha Susila and bronze went to ArsiyantiArdie.

With all swimmers present and accounted for, suitably showered, dried and refreshed the competitors were able to mingle with friends, family and spectators at the chilled post swim party, hosted by the Bali Garden Beach Resort. The drink flowed as the sun went down, and to conclude a fantastic day Bali Sports organised a turtle release. Whilst watching children, local and ex-pat releasing the baby turtles, all were reminded of the entire focus of the day, to raise money to educate the young of Bali about the water.

 

The winner Amos Tan crossing the finishing line

Started off by Australian Olympic Gold medallist Bob Windle,33 swimmers from Indonesia,Germany,Singapore,Australia,USA & Russia swam in  overcast conditions in the inaugural Bali Ocean Swim off the world famous Kuta Beach from the Bali Garden Beach Resort to raise awareness and funds for Bali Sports Foundation's swimming programs.

Watched over by Bali's lifeguards ,Balawista,all swimmers safely completed the 5 km and 1.2 km course.Amongst the spectators were the disabled children who learn mobility & swimming with Bali Sports Foundation.


The Results

5 km  Men

1.  Amos Tan (Aus)
2.  John Koorey (Aus)
3.   Suderta (Ina)

5 km Women

1.   Amy Lee O'Conner (Aus)
2.   Agatha Susila  (Ina)
3.   Arsiyanti Ardie   (Usa)

Junior 1.2 km

1.   Kyle Druery (and first in the 1.2 km)  (Aus)
2.   Ricky Darmawan  (Ina)
3.   Made Dai Darma  (Ina)

Open 1.2 km

1.  Putu Takahide Valentino (Ina)
2.  Prabu  (Ina)
3.  Kembarsuta  (Ina)

Veterans 1.2 km

I.  Ketut Sugita  (Ina)
2. Owen John   (Aus)
3. Craig Johnston (Aus)

Congratulations to all swimmers 

and Bali Sports Foundation Foundation would like to thank Bali Garden Beach Resort,Boardwalk resturant,BIMC,Waterbom,Skootertours,Batan Waru,Stiff Chilli ,Surfer Girl and our major sponsor Coaltrans for their support.

Indonesia is an island archipelago yet very few people learn how to swim.  Drownings are a common occurrence with the majority of people having no understanding of the inherent dangers surrounding activities near or in a water environment.  However, there are many children who go against the norm and learn how to swim, show talent and skill, and develop a love for the sport and a desire to achieve excellence.  Unfortunately these children are in the minority rather than the majority.  *World Health Organisation estimates that 2% of all preventable deaths of children in Asia are caused by drowning.  In Indonesia, with a population of over 220,000,000 people, (28.4% are aged under 15yrs#) this would equate to over 3,000 children each year will drown.  A staggering and frightening figure, particularly when the vast majority would be preventable.   

In Bali, along the south coast between Seseh Beach and Nusa Dua almost 300 people are rescued by the Balawista Surf Lifesaving each year, with approximately 5% becoming a fatality statistic.  Many of those rescued are Indonesians on holidays who have little or no understanding of the dangers and no experience with water awareness and/or survival techniques.  Children are our most treasured asset and anything we can do to protect them or to make them safer is well worth the effort.  Do you agree? 

Bali Swim4Kids is an initiative that through support and assistance of Bali Sports 4 Peace Foundation and the right promotion will be able to provide swimming and water safety lessons for the average and underprivileged children on Bali, and in the future, Indonesia as a whole.

 

Our Simple Plan:

• Conduct an Ocean Swimming Competition on July 4.  Entries are open to both local competitors and overseas visitors. 
• The swim is a 1.2K and 5 K under the supervision of the Balawista Surf Lifesaving Group at Kuta Beach.
• Event is run for males and females in the following age groups: Juniors (12 to 17 years), Adults (18 to 35 years) and Masters (over 35) 
• Money raised from entries to the event is to be used (after expenses are covered) to conduct swimming programs at local pools (thereby generating business for them) and beach locations for children from low income families. 
• Any money raised through sponsorships by businesses or individuals would go to BS4PF for the Bali Swim4Kids program.
• These programs would offer children a 10-15 lesson program to develop water confidence, awareness and safety for children and an understanding of the inherent dangers of water activities. 
• Equipment for teaching, such as kickboards and noodles will be provided.
• Each child would receive a pair of swim goggles and a t-shirt at no cost to them. 
• Entry to the local pool would be covered by the program and the swim teachers utilised would be paid for from the program. 
• As the program grows we can train local unskilled Indonesians to become Internationally recognised swim teachers, thereby giving them a skill that they can use to earn money for their families and communities.
• The ocean swim and subsequent program would become an annual event.  The bigger the race becomes, the more children who will benefit from the program.

 

If we manage to prevent even one death by drowning wouldn’t that be worth it all?