BIG SWIM Expat completes charity swim around Phuket
Phuket resident Todd Blankenship recently successfully completed his ambitious mission to swim around Phuket to raise money and help local children via a Rotary Club of Patong Beach initiative.
The Swim Challenge Phuket saw former US Marine Todd swim the approximately 140-kilometre distance around the island and raise over B400,000 in donations.
All money raised through the initiative will be donated to the Rotary Club of Patong Beach to help local children learn how to swim as part of a drive to minimise and ultimately eradicate drownings among youngsters.
After many months of planning, Todd finally took to the water off
Bang Tao Beach on the morning of Jan 20 to embark on his solo swim. He had set himself a timeframe of 14 days to complete the task although was able to finish a couple of days ahead of schedule by “challenging the island to swim aongside him.”
Todd explained to The Phuket News that he used the tides and the knowledge of his support crew who are so familiar with the local waters to his advantage to finish ahead of schedule.
“Captain K, who was navigating the safety boat, did such an amazing job that it allowed me to use the current to my favour and therefore make up time,” Todd said.
“Safety was always of paramount importance, however,” he added. “We had to take a momentary pause due to the waters being full of jellyfish, meaning three days out of the water. This was tough and posed a mental challenge as I thought it wouldn’t be possible to finish the swim in the allocated time. But safety always comes first.
“However, with favourable tides and excellent navigational support, I was able to make the time up and even finish ahead of schedule, which was very pleasing.”
‘ROCK STAR’
Frank Walbaum from the Rotary Club of Patong Beach undertook much of the planning and supported Todd on his journey.
“Todd had an amazing and ambitious plan, but him being a US Marine I believed that he would do it, no matter what,” Frank said.
“As part of fundraising efforts I pitched the story to the Flughafenverein Muenchen in Germany, a non-profit organisation that helps certain charity-based projects all around the world. They confirmed their interest in supporting directly and, as a result, we started the campaign with a very welcome EUR 6,000. This lifted the spirits of all involved and generated significant motivation for the task ahead.”
The ‘save a child swim program’ was an inititaive that the Rotary Club of Patong Beach started a few years ago in repsonse to the staggering number of youngsters drowing each year.
“Drowning is apparently the biggest cause of death in Thailand among children below the age of 15,” Frank explained. “Many people underestimate the dangers of the ocean which unfortunately results in them losing their lives. Every year more than 1500 people drown in Thailand, with the majority of those being kids.
“This fundraiser allows us to create more awareness as to safety while teaching children how to swim. Since the project launched several years ago over 1,500 children have gone through the swim program to learn to swim and know both the beauty and the danger of the sea.”
Todd’s exertions will go a long way to continuing to help the Rotary Club’s efforts, something Frank was quick to recognise as Todd completed the challenge.
“As soon as Todd landed back at Bang Tao Beach I told him he was an absolute rock star for completing the task and, of course, for doing so safely,” Frank said.
“It was mission accomplished and I was very proud of him as the funds raised will go a long, long way to helping so many children learn how to swim and therefore be able to enjoy the water in a far safer manner.”
Donations can still be made at: https://rotarypatong.org/page/donate. For more information please contact: Frank Walbaum, Rotary Club of Patong Beach, WhatsApp: +65 9447 3234, Line: jungleman80.