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Plumeria Swim: New name and format for old event
No more Swimming Festival or Saipan International Open Water Flipper Tournament. The Marianas Visitors Authority has decided on a new name, location, and format for the annual signature event: the Plumeria Swim in Saipan set for Pau Pau Beach on June 20.
“Now that we’ve relocating the swim from Managaha to Saipan, it was a good time to take up a name that was more inviting and tropical for our visitors,” said MVA Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “Plumeria Swim in Saipan also fits perfectly with our new location, as ‘paupau’ means ‘fragrant’ in Chamorro, just like a plumeria flower.”
In addition, the event now has four race categories and welcomes swimmers with or without flippers. The race categories are: 500m swim, 1.5km swim, 2 km relay swim, or 1.5k flipper race. A 500-meter triangle course will be set on the day of the event.
“With the new location and several course options, we hope to see more participation this year,” said Duenas. “It’s all about showcasing and enjoying our beautiful waters here in the Northern Marianas.”
The race will begin at 6am, followed by an island-style breakfast and awards ceremony at the beach. The flipper race requires swimmers to must use wetsuits or life jacket and fins along with mask and snorkels.
The cost is $25 for Northern Mariana Islands residents with valid I.D. for the 1.5km flipper race, or $20 for the 1.5K swim, 500m swim, or for each member of the relay team (up to four members per team). The deadline to register with the MVA is June 19, 2015. Mandatory orientation will be held from 4:30-5:30pm on June 19, 2015, at Paseo de Marianas. Participants must be in good health with snorkeling or diving experience.
The event is jointly organized by the MVA and the Community Sports Center Foundation of Japan.
For more information or an application, visit the MVA Events Calendar at www.mymarianas.comor call Ed Diaz at 664-3210. (MVA)
