Swimmers begin the 1.2 km
competition in heavy rain.
Pattaya Mail Team
More than 55 children and adults swam across Pattaya Bay for charity at
the ninth Rotary Club of Pattaya-Jomtien Cross-Bay Swim.
Club President Dieter Reigber kicked off the day-long series of swims and
fun Nov. 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel. The event featured a 600-meter “fun
swim” from the Hard Rock to Central Festival Pattaya Beach; a competitive
“short” 1.2-kilometer swim to the Dusit Thani Hotel, and the 3.5-kilometer
main event from the waters off the Siam Bayshore Hotel.
Funds raised by swimmers go to help Pattaya’s youth and disabled, including
health care and scholarships. The Rotary’s Children’s Fund, in the past, has
supported the project including clean water for schools and family homes.
Swimmers young and old, accomplished or novice jumped in for charity. The
noontime fun swim saw 34 children and teens from the Child Protection and
Development Center, Ban Jing Jai Foundation and Pattaya Redemptorist
Foundation finish the course. All received medals and got lunch free at
McDonald’s from Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Twelve adults and teens completed the 1 p.m. short swim, braving a heavy
downpour to do so. Mark Liunev reached the finish line in 30:12 minutes for
first place in the men’s division. Pichet Khokrodsamrong placed second with
a time of 35:50 and Nattapol Yingyuad finished third just a little ways
back.
In the women’s bracket, former champ Natalia Lunev again took first with a
time of 26:18 minutes. Jasmine Gebbie finished at 27:08 for second place and
Jojina Wilson took third in 29:10 minutes. All winners received trophies
from the Rotary Club of Pattaya-Jomtien.
In the 2 p.m. main race, ten swimmers reached the finish line with former
winner Nic Wilson breaking a Cross-Bay Swim record with a time of 36:34
minutes. The previous record, which he set, was 42:11 minutes. The top
female finisher was Margaret Grainger finished with a time of 65:12.
In the men’s division, second place was won by Luke Gebbie with a time of
37:22 and third by Christopher Lo at 47:40. In the women’s bracket, Kristina
Solheim - the only other woman to do the 3.5 km. swim, took second in 67:38
minutes.
In the evening, the Pattaya-Jomtien club presented awards to all the winners
at Central Festival. The ceremony also featured a stage show from children
at various foundations and sponsors.
Pesuso Gym Taekwondo
performers show their skills in the after race party.
President Dieter Reigber
welcomes everyone to the 2012 Rotary Charity Cross Bay Swim.
Two time champion Nic Wilson
shows off his medal.
Natalia Lunev shows off her
medal after winning the 1.2 km swim.
Sea rescue officers closely
monitor the safety of the swimmers.
These boys from the Human
Help Network Foundation are determined to win the race.
Ronny Heltne (right) explains
the rules to swimmers of the 1.2 km race from in front of the Hard Rock
Hotel.
Swimmers begin the long
distance swim.
Mark Lunev gives last minute
pointers to his daughter before the Fun Swim Competition.
Fun Swim swimmers pose before
competing.
Neoh Kean Boon (3rd right),
resident manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya poses for a photo with officials and
some of the winners of the 9th Pattaya Cross Bay Swim. Dusit Thani Pattaya
has sponsored beach towels and other essentials, buffet lunch for the
swimmers and event organizers since the charity swim held its debut nine
years ago.
Pattaya sea-rescue officers
explain markers and routes before the long distance swim.
Natalia Lunev (left), winner
of the female division in 1.2 km short swim, receives her trophy from Deputy
Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh.
(L to R) President Dieter
Reigber poses for a picture with the first three swimmers in the 1.2 km
race: Jojina Wilson, Natalia Lunev and Jasmine Gebbie.
(L to R) Third place winner
Christopher Lo, Ronny Heltne (Cross Bay Swim manager), 2nd place finisher
Luke Gebbie, long swim champion Nic Wilson and Neoh Kean Boon, resident
manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya.
Ronny Heltne (right)
congratulates Mark Lunev (middle), winner of the 1.2 km male category, as
President Dieter Reigber applauds.
Nic Wilson, champion of the
3.5 km race, makes his way from the sea to the finish line.
Children show their medals
from the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.
Rotary Jomtien-Pattaya PP
Gudmund Eiksund presents medals to children competing in the Fun Swim for
families, children and youths.
Winners and sponsors gather
on stage for the 9th Rotary Pattaya Cross Bay Charity Swim award
presentation and closing ceremony.
