‘Pinoy Aquaman’ to start 2017 with 24-km open-water swim

Lawyer Ingemar Macarine celebrates after reaching the beach of Baclayon town, Bohol. He successfully swam 15-kilometers in open seas from Pamalican Island, Bohol last February. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)

LAWYER Ingemar Macarine, nicknamed Pinoy Aquaman, will start 2017 with a grueling open-water swim on January 7.

Macarine, who completed five open-water swims this year, will try to conquer the rough seas of Gingoog Bay as he will swim from Camiguin Island to the town of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.

Macarine is gunning for his 25th successful open-water swim. A successful swim will make him the only Filipino swimmer to do such feat.

Macarine will swim a total of 24-kilometers between Gingoog Bay and Macajalar Bay of Cagayan De Oro City.

“This swim from Camiguin to Balingaon is planned to be a two-way swim to come up with a 24-kilometer distance. This would be my first swim in 2017 and the second will be on March in Limasawa Island,” said Macarine, who got into open-water swims as part of his advocacy for clean water and marine resources protection.

The 39-year-old Macarine admitted having a hard time training for the upcoming swim because of the Holiday season.

“It’s very difficult to train on December, there’s a lot of parties, lechon and beer. I don’t have proper diet but I train every day and get enough rest after,” added Macarine, who is targeting to finish the 24k open water swim in eight to 10 hours.

He added the upcoming open-water swim is sponsored by the provincial government of Camiguin.