5th Bali Ocean Swim

Sunday July 6, 2014 saw the running of the 5th Bali Ocean Swim at Bali Garden Hotel on Kuta Beach.

The Bali Ocean Swim is a major fundraising event run by BSF Asia with monies raised from entries being used to run Swim and Water Safety Programs around Bali for Children living with disabilities.  

This year’s event saw 81 Competitors enter the events with 39 Competitors in the 1.2K swim, 22 in the 5K swim and 20 in the Premier event the 10K swim. Competitors came from around the world including Australia, USA, Singapore, Netherlands, UK, Spain, Austria, Malaysia, Russia, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, France and Indonesia with ages ranging from 10 years old to 67 years young.

Registration for the event commenced at 7:00am with the final briefing for all competitors at 8:30am. Balawista Surf Lifesaving set the course after consideration of the currents that can be so treacherous along this part of the coastline. Race organisers left the final course preparations up to the professionals who patrol the beach as they know this particular stretch of ocean better than anyone and were responsible for the safety of the swimmers throughout the morning. Some competitors had arranged personal paddlers to accompany them prior to race day, which was supported by race organisers as long as they did not interfere with other competitors.

To maintain the genuine Bali feel for the event traditional fishing boats, called Jukungs were used as markers along the course and as drink and food stations for swimmers in the longer events. This did bring into question the accuracy of the distances as the very nature of the boats, mean they are not completely stationary. Balawista also provided their rubber duck stocked with water to accompany swimmers should they need it. The events started at 9:00am with the 10K swim starting first, followed by the 5km at 9:30 and the 1.2K at 9:50am. Only 2 swimmers failed to finish their event which was remarkable considering the currents and winds were quite strong on the day.

One of the biggest surprises of the day came when the first of the 10K swimmers came into view, both spectators and race organisers were pleasantly surprised to see a female leading the swimmers home. Caitlyn James from Perth left the water after 2hrs and 57 secs in the ocean, an amazing performance in anyone’s book. The final competitor in the 10k event finished to a rousing cheer and lots of encouragement by other competitors and spectators after 3hrs 54minutes and 49 seconds in the water.

All placegetters for each event were awarded with Bali Ocean Swim medals with the Male and Female winners of the premier 10K event awarded a glass etched trophy. As in previous years the organisers had two special awards to present, the first to Arsiyanti Ardie who had competed each year since the Bali Ocean Swim commenced. The second award was given to Mr. Wei Tan from Malaysia for showing amazing sportsmanship returning a medal incorrectly awarded to him after the conclusion of the 10K swim. All competitors were issued with a Certificate of Participation which included their event and time.

The 5th Bali Ocean Swim from all accounts was another successful day supported by amazing people from Balawista Surf Lifesaving, BIMC (who looked after any medical emergencies) and Bali Garden Hotel. The race organisers, BSF Asia, wish to congratulate all swimmers who competed on the day, and thank the event sponsors Bali Garden Hotel and BIMC for their continuing support. BSF Trustee Vicki Spencer also added ” I would also like to give our biggest thanks to the Balawista Surf Lifesaving Club for their dedication and enthusiasm for ensuring all competitors were safe throughout the events. This event could not take place without their continued support.”

Race Results:

10Km

Open Male

Manfred Mahrle Austria 2:03.29
Tsuyoshi Sawada Japan 2:08.29
Scott Beachley Australia 2:09.06

Open Female

Caitlyn James Australia 2:00.57
Swenia Betzeba           Indonesia 2:34:44
Anna Doubell Australia 2:44:50

5Km

Junior Male

I Kadek Kopyana Indonesia 1:16:48

Adult Male

Indra Gunawan Indonesia 1:10:57
I Wayan Sudarta Indonesia 1:17:19
I Dewa Made Witara Indonesia 1:24:37

Adult Female

Hsin Lin USA 1:27:50
Helen Walpole Australia 1:33:55
Eve Persak USA 1:45:10

Masters Male

Henry Goodwin UK 1:13:51
Giampaolo Carminati Italy 1:21:13
John Lincon Australia 1:29:52

Masters Female

Tiffany Gillard Australia 1:26:15
Jacqueline Ahlborn USA 1:49:40
Kwee Fong Teo Malaysia 1:56:38

1.2K Swim

Junior Male

Randy Akmalsyah Indonesia 0:29:29
Angus McRae Australia 0:30:36
Daley Hill Australia 0:48:36

Junior Female

Eva Pet Netherlands 0:21:44
Cintya Nariska Sunarso Indonesia 0:23:07
Jessica Laurentcia Marpaung Indonesia 0:28:29

Adult Male

Glenn Sutanto Indonesia 0:18:05
Andy Wibowo Indonesia 0:19:15
Simon Oxley Australia 0:23:24

Adult Female

Victoria McRae Australia 0:26:47
Julie Newton USA 0:28:08
Ching Yee Wong Singapore 0:35:10

Masters Male

Troy Keast Australia 0:21:00
Michael Fogarty Australia 0:24:16
Jeff Jenkins Australia 0:24:28

Masters Female

Sherri Beardman Australia 0:26:32
Peta Coates Australia 0:31:01
Claudia Powers USA 0:31:32