Swimmers from Taipei Physical Education College and Nuannuan High School's Long-Distance Swimming Team Take the Crown in Dapeng Bay Swim!

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

The "2011 Centennial National Swim Across Dapeng Bay Long-Distance Swimming Event," jointly organized by the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Tourism Bureau and the Republic of China Swimming Association, kicked off in grand style at 8:00 AM on the 26th at the Dapeng Bay International Leisure Zone in Donggang, Pingtung County, attracting nearly a thousand swimming enthusiasts. Among them, in the inaugural long-distance swim timing competition, Pan Kaiwen from Taipei Physical Education College won the timing competition group championship with an impressive time of 36 minutes, 47 seconds, and 21 hundredths, while Deng Yu_c from Keelung’s Nuannuan High School secured the women’s title with a time of 38 minutes and 28 seconds.

This long-distance swim event was divided into competitive, leisure, family, and disabled groups. Pingtung County Deputy Magistrate Chung Chia-ping also joined in the fun, taking the plunge alongside over 140 competitors in the competitive group, including Legislative Yuan member Wang Jinshen, Vice President of the Republic of China Swimming Association Chen Shichang, Chairman of the Hengchun Peninsula Tourism Industry Alliance Yu Xinfu, and Director of the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration Wu Maosheng, who all came to cheer on the athletes.

In addition to the nation’s first-ever long-distance swim timing race (competitive group), seven disabled individuals also challenged themselves. Du Chen-niang, 82, from the Morning Swim Club of Pingtung City, Lin Shi, 80, from the Mountain-Area Morning Swim Club of Pingtung County, and several grandparents over the age of 70 displayed remarkable vigor, earning admiration. Nearly a thousand participants splashed through the waters of Dapeng Bay, creating a spectacular scene.

Beyond the exciting races, the event also featured community agricultural product exhibitions, Coast Guard equipment displays, as well as performances such as sexy bikini shows, electronic music "Electric Buddha Trio," acrobatics, and Sichuan face-changing acts. Organizers added to the fun with a lucky draw offering attractive prizes like 42-inch LCD TVs, bicycles, and microwave ovens, along with free experiences of sailing, canoeing, and swan boats—making the shores of Dapeng Bay come alive with energy.