News
[Aug. 18, 2009]
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Japan's largest ocean swim will be returning again this August 29-30, to the shores of the Kamakura area. The shore line, known as Shonan, first began hosting the meet in 2004 when, in spite of record-breaking lows in temperature, nearly 1,700 swimmers turned out to compete. This year as in the past, there will be three classes of race: 10km, 3km, and 3km fin-swimming.
The races, are being conducted with the cooperation of NGOs, private companies and local government, and the support of the Sasakawa Sports Foundation and The Nippon Foundation.
The Sasakawa Sports Foundation was established in 1991 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. Its primary purpose since then has been the nationwide promotion of Sports For All, an international movement that aims to encourage involvement in sport among the general populace, regardless of ability, experience or age. Since the founding of the Sasakawa Sports Foundation, it has conducted many successful initiatives, all aimed at improving the general level of health throughout the nation and the world.
Shonan Open Water swimming is an event that fits well into this general framework of action, because of the way it caters to people at all levels of ability. It is said that ocean swimming, with its waves, wind, and the odd school of jellyfish, is at least twice as tiring as pool swimming; the athletes in the 10 kilometer competition will have to be top level to even finish. At the opposite end, for those who are curious about the sport, but not yet ready to try a 2.5 kilometer ocean swim, there is a 0.8 "swim tour," held under the supervision of the race organizers, from historic Enoshima Island back to the mainland.
Interested parties are encouraged to come out to support the racers.