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Swimmers sought for cross-strait relay

"The public should be encouraged to join this kind of event, to jointly explore the mysteries of the ocean."

Wang Han, long-distance swimmer

Long-distance swimmer Wang Han (王瀚) is looking for fellow aquatic enthusiasts interested in making a cross-strait relay swim.

Wang was forced to give up a previous attempt to swim across the Taiwan Strait last August because of strong tides caused by the Kuroshio current flowing from Japan.

But an undaunted Wang held a press conference yesterday to publicize his new bid and to invite swimmers aged between 20 and 45 to try out for two relay teams.

A qualifying test will be held next month. Those who pass the test will begin intensive training on March 29

Wang said Taiwanese should learn to be friends with the ocean because Taiwan is a country surrounded by water.

"The public should be encouraged to join this kind of event, to jointly explore the mysteries of the ocean," he said.

Wang said he plans to organize two teams of 30 swimmers. After checking tide charts and the meteorology calendar it was determined that the best options for a cross-strait relay would be June 10 and June 23.

A team will leave on both days and relay participants can choose the team they want to be on. Wang said the teams will leave from a point off the coast of Miaoli and Hsinchu counties and should reach Fujian three to five days later.

The straight-line distance between Taiwan and Fujian is about 145km, he said. But to avoid tidal currents and possible shark attacks, the planned swimming route will be between 170km and 200km, he said.

While Wang is busy organizing the June event, he already has his eyes set on his next challenge -- a swim across the Malacca Strait in September.
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