Previous Story
10 earn Polar Bear status
Ten made the grade in Saipan Swim Club’s 2nd Annual Saipan Polar Bear Swim.
Polar Bear took place this winter mimicking the Dolphin Club’s program that takes place in the frigid San Francisco Bay. SSC president Emma Perez introduced this lap swim in December 2013 based on her participation in the San Francisco Bay swims. SSC masters logged their swims in the 50-meter Kan Pacific Swimming Pool as well as the lagoon. The goal was to swim 40 miles over the three month period from Dec. 21, the first day of winter, until March 21, the first day of spring. Swimmers over the age of 60 needed to only swim 20 miles.
This year, coach Gary De Guzman was the first to reach Polar Bear status and logged in 89 miles, beating Suzy Kindel’s record of 81.25 miles last season. Carol Lynn Pierce again logged in the second highest amount of miles with 76.75 miles, surpassing her 68.75 miles last year. Pierce accomplished this despite spending the first month of the Polar Bear Swim practicing with SSC Dolphins for their synchronized swimming performance in January.
Other Dolphins who also met the 40 mile goal were Nami Kadokura (55.75 miles for third place) Kaoru Takahashi (46.75), the 63-year-old Suzy Kindel (45.25), and Atsuko Sato ( 44.12 miles)
Also achieving Polar Bear status were Aya Braxton (53.25 miles) and Tomomi Sato (42.12 miles) and 60-and-above’s Joshua Berger (54.5 miles) and Jill Derickson (24.50 miles). Derickson’s 92-year-old mother, Mina Neidrauer, again participated in the Polar Bear by walking a total of 10 miles around the pool, while Ayumi Kaga and Mamiko Berger swam 37.12 and 19.50 miles, respectively.
Escape from Managaha sign-up
Meanwhile, pre-registration for this month’s Escape from Managaha is required.
Tomorrow is the deadline for registration and entrance fee is $20 (inclusive of shirt finisher).
The club’s Escape from Managaha will be held on April 11. (Saipan Tribune)
