Pinoy Aquaman abandons English Channel attempt
INGEMAR “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine was forced to abandon what could have been his most grueling open-water swim due to bad weather.
Macarine was scheduled to cross the English Channel from United Kingdom to France yesterday. It was supposed to be his second attempt at the English Channel after failing last year also because of bad weather.
But unlike last year, the 39-year-old Macarine was able to start this attempt.
He was swimming for almost an hour in the freezing waters of the English Channel early morning yesterday in Dover, United Kingdowm when he was advised by his navigator Eric Hartley of Pathfinder Charter to abandon his swim. This was because of winds as strong as 21 knots, which would have made the swim very difficult.
Re-attempt
“My pilot Eric (Hartley) decided to stop me from continuing the swim for safety reasons. The wind speed was 21 knots, way different than forecast,” Macarine said. “I guess I will extend my government official leave and departure date. Tuloy ang Laban. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.”
Macarine, who arrived in Dover, United Kingdom earlier this month for his attempt to swim across the English Channel, still has enough time for a re-attempt. He is targeting to do it on Friday.
The English Channel is considered by open-water swimmers as the “Mount Everest” of open-water swimming. The total distance from Dover, UK to Calais, France is 33 kilometers.
Macarine, a native of Surigao, has 30 successful open-water swims.
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