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SSC holds celebrated ocean swims
Reunions, debuts, and birthday were the themes in the back-to-back ocean swims Saipan Swim Club hosted early this month.
Former SSC member Dirk Sharer, who is now based in the United Arab Emirates, was reunited with the club’s masters swimmers via the 7K Eagle Ray Swim held on July 7. Sharer joined 8 other swimmers and seven kayakers in swimming from PauPau Beach to Managaha Island, according to a press release from SSC.
Sharer made it to the famous island with the help of paddler Shelley Kremer, while the 8 other swimmers also finished the challenging race with the assistance of their designated paddlers.
SSC water polo coach Jeff El-Hajj and Ed Ewing were among the finishers and completed their first Eagle Ray race through the help of paddler Ann Jordan. Also debuting in the Paupau Beach to Managaha crossing were Robyn Wondrasek, Pejman Kharrazian, and Adam Hardwicke. Travis Spaeth was Wondrasek’s kayaker, Jeff Taylor helped out Hardwicke, and Carol Lynn Pierce and Yogi Singh escorted Kharrazian.
Joining the Eagle Ray first timers were SSC assistant coach Jennifer Pierce and SSC Masters Sibylla Guerrero.
From the Managaha Island, swimmers rode the Tasi Tours ferry that docked to Smiling Cove Marina and then went back to PauPau for another ocean swim-the inaugural 3.5K PauPau to Tanapag crossing.
Ten swimmers and two kayakers joined the open water swim from PauPau to Tanapag boat ramp, including SSC Masters Suzy Kindel, who was celebrating her 61st birthday that day.
The club also welcomed back Monica Yamaguchi during the inaugural race. Yamaguchi is now based in Tokyo and on her visit to Saipan, she swam with Joshua Berger, Paul Viator, Harumi Suzuki, Florence Antonio, Lemur Macon, Manny Sitchon, and Tamio Nishikido. Nicky Nichols and Jun Lee were the group’s kayakers and the 10 swimmers completed the crossing in one hour and 20 minutes.
By Roselyn Monroyo
Reporter
