Andrew Tebbuts (in photo) wins the 2nd Bali Ocean Swim 2011 held on Sunday 10th July on Kuta Beach out from Bali Garden Beach Resort & Spa. The fundraising event organized by Bali Sports Foundation,now in its second year was started by Olympic 1500 mt gold medalist Bob Windle,Andrew swam  the 10,kilometre course in a blistering 2 hours,2 minutes and 30 seconds in generally smooth conditions ,Andrew is the inaugural 10 K winner, as in 2010 the longest distance was a 5 k swim.

Andrew finished 16 minutes ahead of second place getter Supriadi to claim the 10km title in the Following Andrew & Supriadi into 3rd place was I Wayan Sudarta.First women home and winner of the women’s division Maxine Fitzpatrick,who surprisingly  at registration was unsure of whether she could handle the 10 km and was considering doing the 5 km swim. Following Maxine,in second place Arsiyanti doing one better  than her bronze in the 2010 5 km Ocean Swim .

In the 5 kilometre race Bali’s Ida Bagus Maha Kacha Manuaba held German Joerg Scharf to win in 1,05:50.

In the 1.2 kilometre sprint,it was the tightest finish on record with I Putu Takahide Valentino just edging out Sam Hume by 2 hundred’s of a second to win in 13:28 to Sam’s 13:30,Andrew Sutherland rounded of the place getters in 15:10.In the women’s Agatha Susila won,improving on her silver last year.

In the junior boys Ricky Darmawan edged out Sam White and I Made Dai Darma to take the gold in 13:36,and the junior girls Natasha Candra Prameswari beat 13 year old Eva Pet for the gold,with Sweania Betzeba Delisa taking third place.

In the 1.2 km Masters men,it was an all foreign affair with Australia’s Marc Alliotti first,British Christian Sanderson second and return swimmer from last Australia’s Owen Sweetman taking bronze.

In the Women’s masters it was a bit of a family affair,with Naaantali Marshall edging out sister Shelley to take first place with  Sherri Beardman coming in third.

All swimmers returned safely with only a few injuries by  jellyfish.Balawista (Bali Lifeguards) did a magnificient job of marshalling the swimmers around the demanding course.

Bali Sports Foundation would like to thank Coaltrans,Balawista,Bali Garden Beach Resort & Spa,Boardwalk Restaurant,BIMC hospital,and Coca Cola .

Special mention to BSF trustee Vicki Spencer who donated the beautiful medals & trophies.

All proceeds from this event go to fund the ongoing disabled swimmers program by Bali Sports Foundation.

 

The 2nd Bali Ocean Swim will be held like last year on Kuta Beach on Sunday the 10th July,2011.Start and finish will be from the Bali Garden Resort & Spa.
This year in response to requests we will hold a 10 km swim and a 1.2 km swim.
We are also introducing a Team award (4 swimmers per team)
As per last year,Balawista (Bali Life Saving Assoc.) will provide marshals and on water supervision,and BIMC will provide medical assistance .


With the 2nd Bali Ocean Swim we plan to continue our Bali Swim4 Kids program of the Bali Sports Foundation which has provided water safety and swimming lessons for kids with physical disabilites as well as kids with intellectual disabilities.(see www.balisports.com)

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.

From the proceeds we presented a donation to the Balawista - Bali's lifeguards

We look forward to seeing everyone next year in Bali.


Rodney Holt
Race Director
Bali Sports Foundation






Photos By Glen Schapel

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?