SAIWAI hopes to break 2007’s numbers

Saipan Walking Association Inc. will hold its 2008 PTI Aqua Walk this Saturday morning and secretary Mario Espeleta is inviting everyone to take part in the event.

“Last year we had 66 participants who graced the event. We hope to break this number this year,” he said.

He said SAIWAI will be giving a slew of souvenirs to early morning walkers, as PTI has donated 70 hats and key chains as well as 35 beach balls and frisbees for the event.

The 2008 PTI Aqua Walk will be held tomorrow, July 12, in the waters off Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel in Chalan Kanoa.

Espeleta earlier said that event will be similar to last year’s where two courses were available—one is in the water and one along the beach shoreline prepared for participants who do not want to walk in the waters.

Espeleta reiterated that aside from the PTI Aqua Walk being a fun family activity, it also has some health benefits.

The Pacific Development Inc. employee said it has long been proven that seawater has a therapeutic effect on the body and participants will get plenty of that when they immerse half of their bodies during the PTI Aqua Walk.

Registration for the event begins at 7:30am at the back of the Chalan Kanoa landmark.

Espeleta said he is expecting at least 70 participants to the event, which will cost $8 but will entitle attendees to an event T-shirt and light snacks and refreshments after the PTI Aqua Walk.

He also said the PTI Aqua Walk is unique to Saipan and the closest to it anywhere in the world is an activity in Japan where participants walk in the pool instead of shallow ocean water.

Participants to the PTI Aqua Walk will tackle a one-kilometer course marked by buoys in the water and participants have the option of circling the course as many times they want provided they complete the mandatory two laps.

Like all SAIWAI activities, IVV members will receive credit for joining the PTI Aqua Walk.

IVV has member walking clubs in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, the CNMI, and 29 other European countries, including Germany.

For more information about the PTI Aqua Walk and SAIWAI’s future events, contact Mario at 322-8876, Hiroko at 322-8781, or Bea at 285-1694.

SAIWAI was incorporated as a non-profit corporation on July 27, 2001, and was established to promote public health through non-competitive walking.