Posted on: Wednesday, September 1, 2004
Waikiki event taking added caution
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Add box jellyfish to a list of concerns facing organizers of the 35th Waikiki Roughwater Swim, an event that was marked last year by the rescue of at least 260 swimmers from treacherous waters.
For the first time in the event's history, the popular swim was rescheduled for Sunday instead of Monday's Labor Day to avoid a possible influx of box jellyfish, according to Ted Sheppard, the Waikiki Roughwater Swim committee president.
The stinging creatures can invade shorelines 7 to 10 days after a full moon, a time frame that would start Monday, he said.
"We wanted a wider safety margin between us and the potential hazards of the jellyfish," Sheppard said. "We were concerned. That's why we moved it to Sunday."
Organizers expect more than 800 swimmers for Sunday's 2.38-mile ocean race for elite and recreational competitors from around the world. The swim starts at 9 a.m.
The course begins at Sans Souci Beach fronting the Kaimana Beach Hotel and finishes at Duke Kahanamoku Beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The jellyfish precaution is just one of several changes for this year's race.
Last year, rescuers scrambled to aid at least 260 swimmers from strong currents and high surf at the event. The rescue effort involved city lifeguards, the Coast Guard, the Honolulu Fire Department and the public. The Honolulu Police Department and Emergency Medical Services also responded to the rescue calls. There were no major injuries reported.
This year, as part of the permit process, race organizers hired a private lifeguard company with eight off-duty lifeguards and an off-shore catamaran to aid swimmers, Sheppard said.
The cost of hiring the lifeguard company was $5,000, which was paid by higher entry fees this year, Sheppard said.
"The general feeling is everyone is just taking a precautious mode," said Joe Lileikis, a masters swimming instructor at The Oahu Club, who will swim in Sunday's race alongside approximately 40 members with his swimming club. "We've got to be a little more aware and a little more prepared. You just never know. We're looking forward to it, but we're going to be cautious."
Where: Starts at Sans Souci Beach fronting the Kaimana Beach Hotel and finishes at the Duke Kahanamoku Beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
When: Sunday, 9 a.m.
Course length: 2.38 miles
Defending champions: Australians Grant Cleland (1:04:25) and Trudee Hutchinson (1:17:16).
Registration: Competitors can still register until Friday, 9 a.m. (HST) at active.com. Late registration will be accepted at the beachfront Hilton Hawaiian Village on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Cost is $40.
Race-day entries will also be accepted up to 8:30 a.m. for $50.
Late entrants do not receive a T-shirt.
For information, e-mail: TedSheppard@Yahoo.com. "High tide is 20 minutes after the 9 a.m. start," Sheppard said. "That means you'll have that slacking of the tide as it finishes up on both sides. That should be beneficial to us. But the current should be slightly against the swimmers again. I don't think it will be anywhere near as strong (as last year)."
As an added precaution, Sheppard said he will test the water conditions at two major turn buoys 850 meters offshore about 30 minutes before the race. Last year, the water conditions changed quickly for the worse during the race, Sheppard said.
"I'm actually going to get into the water and see if I get blown away," Sheppard said. "Last year, we (tested the water conditions) much earlier. This year, we're going to do it closer to the start of the race."
Organizers used a public address system before last year's race warning swimmers about strong currents and wind conditions, and urged less experienced swimmers to reconsider entering the race. After the warning, less than a handful of swimmers pulled out.
Sheppard said he expects fewer competitors (about 850 to 875) for this year's race as compared with last year (947). One reason is many would-be competitors won't be able to make a quick turnaround after swimming in Saturday's Maui Channel Swim, he said. Also, the scheduling change may have affected entries, and that some swimmers may have been discouraged from the experiences last year, he said.
Notes: The first U.S. citizen to finish the swim will win an expense-paid trip to compete in the Red Bull Giants of Rio international team swimming relay competition in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in December.
Reach Brandon Masuoka at 535-2458 or bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Tide conditions should also be better this year, Sheppard said. Last year, swimmers struggled against the pull of an outgoing tide.
35th Waikiki Roughwater Swim
