Aquaman eyes another challenge

PINOY Aquaman Ingemar Patino Macarine’s successful 11-kilometer swim from Balicasag Island toward Panglao Island in Bohol inspired him to embark on another challenge this December in Lapu-Lapu City.

Macarine, a lawyer, finished the 11-kilometer swim in six hours and 35 minutes.

Macarine braved the strong currents during the swim especially when he was approaching Panglao Island, when he met a swarm of jellyfish and choppy waters.

“There was a one-kilometer stretch where I barely moved because I was swimming against the current. The current direction changed three times,” said Macarine.

Macarine said his motivation to finish was his cause, which is bringing awareness about climate change and paying tribute to the victims of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit the island last year. And most importantly, his family, who has thrown their full support for his cause.

“I imagined my family waiting for me at my destination,” said Macarine.

Last August, he swam a 4.7K distance from Talima Resort in Olango Island toward Lapu-Lapu City in one hour and 55 minutes.

This time, Macarine is planning to do a triple-cross of Olango Island to Lapu-Lapu City.

“I am planning to triple-cross like Olango Island to Movenpick Hotel then Movenpick Hotel to Olango Island and back to Movenpick Hotel nonstop,” said Macarine.

“It will be a total of 15 kilometers in open water swim and I want to finish it 6-7 hours.”

“I am doing this to promote clean seas and beaches and for the tourism around Lapu-Lapu City,” said Macarine.

Macarine has been doing open water swim as part of his enviromental and tourism advocacy for the past several years. Last December, he swam from Basul Island in Barangay Lipata to Surigao City, a 4.28-K swim he finished in two hours.

Last Feb. 23, he finished a 12.2 K swim in 3:38 then followed with another one last April where he braved the 54-degree weather and swam the 2.85K distance from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco in 1:02.00.