The Filipino Aquaman

Open water swimming is not only the loneliest sport, it is downright dangerous, as you have no control over your environment. Long distance swimming simply multiplies the hazards. As you desperately split the surface of the water, there’s no telling what lies beneath. At any time, you could be done in by the currents, undertows, extreme temperatures, fatigue, or some carnivorous sea creature at any point in time. And except for extreme situations, you are not allowed to lean on any boat or be touched by someone else. On the face of it, it sounds unrewarding and illogical. For all intents and purposes, you may as well be in outer space. 

Yet, this is the world that environmental lawyer Ingemar Macarine has chosen to inhabit. The election lawyer from Surigao now based in Tubigon, Bohol has been toiling in solitude for the last few years, flinging himself into the unknown, plodding his way into the record books. In March, the triathlete crossed the 10-kilometer distance between Limasawa and Padre Burgos towns in Southern Leyte. In 2014, he became the first Filipino to swim from the former penitentiary on Alcatraz Island to San Francisco City, California. He has swum unassisted from Basul Island to Surigao City in 2013, and from Hikdop Island to mainland Surigao City in 2014, and has conquered several formidable distances between the country’s islands. Over the weekend, he silently faced his biggest test.

“On Sunday (Aug. 13), I will attempt to be the first open water swimmer from the Philippines to swim without stopping the English Channel, a 33-kilometer crossing from the United Kingdom to France,” Macarine revealed. “My very experienced boat pilot, Eric Hartley of Pathfinder Charter, and Channel Swimming Association observer Keith Oiller informed me that my tentative swim schedule is this coming Sunday two o’clock in the morning which might slightly change depending on the weather conditions.”

For this epic swim, the rules are very stringent, and potentially more dangerous.

“I will be abiding the rules of the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) by wearing only regular swimming trunks, a pair of swimming goggles, and one swimming cap,” he explains. “Wetsuits and other floating devices are absolutely not allowed. The rules also dictate that I should not touch the boat, nor can I be touched by another person during the entire course of the swim. I will be swimming continuously or non-stop for approximately 13 to 15 hours, except hydration and feeding stops for 15 seconds every 30 minutes, in water with temperatures of 17 degrees Celsius.”

The 21-mile English Channel is considered the Mount Everest of open water swimmers from all around the world. But while Mount Everest has already been summited by seven Filipinos a decade ago, the iconic English Channel has not yet been crossed by a Filipino. For this ultimate test, Macarine has prepared for two years. The Filipino Aquaman has done more than 30 charity swims in the Philippines and the US. Fifteen of those feats were certified as pioneering or unprecedented marathon swims of 10 kilometers or more by the World Open Water Swimming Association in Huntington, California. 

Macarine arrived in Dover in the United Kingdom two weeks ago for cold water acclimatization training. Hypothermia would be his number one obstacle, as he is used to the tropical waters of the Philippines. If he is perceived to be in any mortal danger, he will be pulled out of the water by trained medical experts and rescued. Macarine has also adapted his body to the challenge, knowing that additional pounds around – despite the weight – the body provide important insulation against the cold.

“This swim is dedicated to all Filipinos and to promote cleaner seas and tourism in the Philippines. Hoping and praying for good weather and a successful crossing,” he announced. “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”

Macarine credits the following for supporting this trailblazing endeavor: South Seas Vision CATV System and Diadi CCS Poultry Farm courtesy of his wife Racquel Macarine, the Philippine Sports Commission through chairman Butch Ramirez and Comm. Mon Fernandez, the Commission on Elections through chairman Andy Bautista, and Speedo Philippines, Maldita Man, First Consolidated Bank, Martello Building Consultancy, Kennington Masonic Lodge 1381, Congressman Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Sparklab. 

Here’s wishing him safe passage.