SSC lines up three open water races, clinic

Saipan Swim Club will be hosting three ocean swim races and another clinic this season.

First up on the list is the 7th Annual Meek and Mighty Ocean Swim, which will be held on Feb. 25 in the waters off the Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio.

Last year’s Meek and Mighty race was held in April, but this season it was moved two months earlier to help prepare athletes competing in Tagaman (March 31).

“Meek & Mighty is an excellent opportunity for those preparing for Tagaman since we will be swimming the Tagaman course. Meek & Mighty is open to both children and adults,” SSC’s Suzy Kindel said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

The Meek race will feature a one-kilometer course, while the Mighty event will have the longest distance at 5K. There is also a Tweeny race, which will cover a distance of 3K.

Andrew Kimball ruled last year’s Mighty race, timing in at 1:17:11 and beating Victoria Chentsova (1:19:55), sister Grace (1:22:56), Carol Lynn Pierce (1:30:31), and Gary Guzman. In the 3K event, Kento Akimaru (46:13) edged Mieko Carey (46:43), while Kindel prevailed in the shortest race with a time of 18:50.

Two months after the Meek and Mighty event, the club will be holding the 34th Annual Ocean Swim on April 15. This event will allow participants to swim around the Wold War II tanks in the waters off World Resort.

Then on May 5, SSC, pending approval from the Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Coast Guard, has scheduled the Escape from Managaha.

Besides the ocean swims and its regular meets at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi, SSC is also planning to host another clinic, which will be conducted by Carey, the club’s assistant coach.

Carey had a clinic last Saturday at the Marpi pool and held personalized instruction with Heather Kennedy, Mamiko Oshima-Berger, Mike Pai, Nicole Huer, Juanita Fajardo, and Kindel.

“Everyone was really pleased with the clinic. It was a perfect number for Mieko to give personalized instruction. Based on Mieko’s travel and competition schedule, SSC plans to hold another clinic later this year,” Kindel said.

Carey said she is happy to be back as SSC assistant coach as she loves helping out swimmers, especially the young ones, hone their kills.

“I came back to SSC to teach kids to swim and have fun doing sports. Saipan has a lot of beautiful beaches, so if kids can swim or dive they can see the different parts of the island. Also these kids know I do triathlon and some of them are interested to do triathlon. I want to share to them my experience and I hope I can help them become active in different sports,” Carey said.

Meanwhile, entrance fee to the Meek and Mighty event is only $10 and pre-registration is encouraged. Entry forms are available at the Marpi pool or can be obtained electronically by emailing Rob Torres at rttlaw@pticom.com. Registration at the venue starts at 7am, while the race begins at 8am.