Zampen Open Water swim's Dakak leg lures budding athletes, celebrities
Published Jun 2, 2023 09:04 am
The Zamboanga Open Water Swim’s fourth and final leg at Dakak Beach Resort in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte was more than a showcase of bright prospects in long-distance swimming but also the beauty of the seascape of the southern part of the Philippines.
*Officials from the Department of Tourism and host Dakak Beach Resort at the start of the fourth and final leg of the Zamboanga Peninsula Open Water Swim at Dakak Beach Resort in Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte.*
More than 200 swimmers, including the youngest participant at six years of age as well as celebrity mixed martial arts champion Mark Striegl who completed the 1.5 kilometers along with his wife, who was a former collegiate volleyball player. “It was quite an experience. And the place and nature are so beautiful that you’d think you can swim all day long and not get tired,” smiled Strielg, who, a day earlier, gave basic wrestling lessons to some participants. Striegl, a former Pacific Extreme Championship titleholder who saw action in the elite Ultimate Fighting Championship, was used to competing in five 5-minute rounds in mixed martial arts bouts. Completing his first one-and-a-half-kilometer swim in blue sea water with the plush greenery of Dakak Beach Resorts as the background is another overwhelming experience. Participants from Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila tested their skills and endurance in the 1.5km, 3km, and 5km swim at the famous cove of Dakak even as organizers from the Department of Tourism in Region 9 and host Dakak Beach Resorts also put premium in green advocacy with a desire to create a positive impact on climate change. Topping the men’s premier 5KM swim was Gako Sky of Negros Occidental while Summer Clarise Pacatang of Dipolog City topped the women’s side. Juses Duque and Kiara Eroy, both from Dipolog City, won top honors in the men's and women’s 3KM races, respectively. Jade Pareja of Dipolog City and Milliza Tanginan of Zamboanga City dominated the men's and women’s 1.5 km races. The first three legs of the open swim circuit took place in Zamboanga City’s seaport, at Buluan Island in Zamboanga Sibugay, and at the scenic and heart-shaped Lake Magarang in Zamboanga del Sur. Zampen Open Water Swim co-founder Japy Toledo said bigger scope is expected next year as they will be open to invitations from other places in the country to do similar events. “And we will be opening to international participants.” SPORTS TOURISM With the success of the Zampen Open Water Swim Circuit 2023, the DOT is convinced that more sports tourism activities should be activated in Mindanao, especially in the Zamboanga Peninsula. "It’s time for Mindanao to shine in sports tourism. These (events) invite people to certain areas. We’re giving importance to sports tourism now to help change the negative connotation about Mindanao,” said DOT UndersecretaryMyra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar during the National Sports Tourism and Green Advocacy Summit on Saturday. Myra has noted that the negative picture of Mindanao in the media in terms of peace and security is scaring off foreign tourists. It's time to change that image. Lana Jalosjos of Dakak Beach Resorts agreed that sports tourism is one of the best ways to attract tourists because passionate athletes---local and international-- will go out of their way to try the best things Mindanao could offer. Also speaking at the summit, DOT Director for Region 9 Dara May L. Cataluna also pushed for green advocacy by urging organizers and participants to “do our share and create impact to climate change by being responsible. It’s a great tool to promote environment-friendly activities.”
*Officials from the Department of Tourism and host Dakak Beach Resort at the start of the fourth and final leg of the Zamboanga Peninsula Open Water Swim at Dakak Beach Resort in Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte.*
More than 200 swimmers, including the youngest participant at six years of age as well as celebrity mixed martial arts champion Mark Striegl who completed the 1.5 kilometers along with his wife, who was a former collegiate volleyball player. “It was quite an experience. And the place and nature are so beautiful that you’d think you can swim all day long and not get tired,” smiled Strielg, who, a day earlier, gave basic wrestling lessons to some participants. Striegl, a former Pacific Extreme Championship titleholder who saw action in the elite Ultimate Fighting Championship, was used to competing in five 5-minute rounds in mixed martial arts bouts. Completing his first one-and-a-half-kilometer swim in blue sea water with the plush greenery of Dakak Beach Resorts as the background is another overwhelming experience. Participants from Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila tested their skills and endurance in the 1.5km, 3km, and 5km swim at the famous cove of Dakak even as organizers from the Department of Tourism in Region 9 and host Dakak Beach Resorts also put premium in green advocacy with a desire to create a positive impact on climate change. Topping the men’s premier 5KM swim was Gako Sky of Negros Occidental while Summer Clarise Pacatang of Dipolog City topped the women’s side. Juses Duque and Kiara Eroy, both from Dipolog City, won top honors in the men's and women’s 3KM races, respectively. Jade Pareja of Dipolog City and Milliza Tanginan of Zamboanga City dominated the men's and women’s 1.5 km races. The first three legs of the open swim circuit took place in Zamboanga City’s seaport, at Buluan Island in Zamboanga Sibugay, and at the scenic and heart-shaped Lake Magarang in Zamboanga del Sur. Zampen Open Water Swim co-founder Japy Toledo said bigger scope is expected next year as they will be open to invitations from other places in the country to do similar events. “And we will be opening to international participants.” SPORTS TOURISM With the success of the Zampen Open Water Swim Circuit 2023, the DOT is convinced that more sports tourism activities should be activated in Mindanao, especially in the Zamboanga Peninsula. "It’s time for Mindanao to shine in sports tourism. These (events) invite people to certain areas. We’re giving importance to sports tourism now to help change the negative connotation about Mindanao,” said DOT UndersecretaryMyra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar during the National Sports Tourism and Green Advocacy Summit on Saturday. Myra has noted that the negative picture of Mindanao in the media in terms of peace and security is scaring off foreign tourists. It's time to change that image. Lana Jalosjos of Dakak Beach Resorts agreed that sports tourism is one of the best ways to attract tourists because passionate athletes---local and international-- will go out of their way to try the best things Mindanao could offer. Also speaking at the summit, DOT Director for Region 9 Dara May L. Cataluna also pushed for green advocacy by urging organizers and participants to “do our share and create impact to climate change by being responsible. It’s a great tool to promote environment-friendly activities.”