Escapees start from Seaplane Dock

Swimmers looking to make a hasty Escape From Managaha tomorrow morning will have one heck of a journey on their hands, but before they can leave the smallest island in the Marianas chain they must first take leave of Saipan.

Organizers are reminding the aquatic challenge seekers that they must first meet at the old Seaplane Dock at the corner of Lower Base Drive and Mangrove Place at 5:45am.

Registration will continue for an hour and the boat will depart at exactly 7am on course for Managaha Island, so swimmers are advised to be punctual or be left behind.

Plans for the Escape From Managaha originally called for the escapees to assemble at the Smiling Cove Marina docks, but organizers made the switch when details regarding the inter-island transportation were changed.

For the first time in the event’s four- year history, all proceeds will go to support the Saipan Swim Club, and SSC head coach Michael Stewart expressed his appreciation for all of the support the club has received.

“I would like to thank all of this event’s sponsors, Coca-Cola Micronesia, MVA, The Sports Show with Brad and Shan, TASI Tours, Micronesian Marine, DPS, DFS,” he said.

Thanks to a number of people pulling together to make the event possible, Stewart said that he now hopes to have the greatest number of participants by breaking last year’s high-water mark.

“So far we have 31 pre-race entrants, knowing that that number will grow to over 50 in the next day. However we’re looking to break the record number to ever attempt the Escape of 55 in 2005,” said the coach.

In exchange for the $20 entry fee, swimmers will receive one heck of an inter-island trip, a T-shirt, and a post-swim barbeque when they reach Micro Beach. There is even an opportunity for non-swimmers to have fun atop kayaks and as partygoers as the SSC will need volunteers to paddle along to ensure the safety of the Escapees.

Those wishing to challenge the chicken at the barbeque can sample the food and fun for a donation of $10.

Making the event even more spectacular is the fact that Stewart plans on swimming the course with a two-seat kayak in tow with a pair of passengers across “The Nile” without the use of his legs.

“Our Queen of the Nile is none other then Bobbi Grizzard and the other passenger slot goes to the highest bidder to ride along,” he said.

Kathryn Barry of Coca-Cola-PowerAde-DASANI recently became the highest bidder looking to ride the two-seat kayak that Stewart plans to pull when he swims across the channel, when she raised the high-water mark to $100.

To try and beat that bid you have until 8:45am this morning to phone in your bid to The Sports Show with Brad and Shan 1080 by calling 234-8644 or 234-7239.

For more information about the 4th Annual Escape From Managaha, contact Stewart via email at wfla@hotmail.com or place your bid for the open seat on the kayak at thesportsshow1080@yahoo.com.