Over 200 young swimmers from 22 clubs and associations troop to the New Clark City Olympic-sized swimming pool in Capas, Tarlac as action in the FINIS Philippines-organized Long Course Swimming Championship Luzon leg blasts off on Saturday.
FINIS Philippines Managing Director Vince Garcia said brand ambassadors and national team members Kyla Soguilon, Marcus DeKam and juniors’ record holder Jamesray Ajido and Jasmine ‘Water Beast’ Mojdeh are invited to give inspirational messages in the opening ceremony set at 8 a.m.
“Our FINIS brand ambassadors are all products of the grassroots swimming program supported by the company. They came a long way and their presence will boost the morale of the young swimmers, who wants to follow in their footsteps,” said Garcia, an active triathlete and ‘Godfather’ to the TODO Para Triathletes team.
The best swimmers in the Luzon leg will qualify as NCR representatives in the National Championships slated December 17 and 18, also in New Clark City.
They slug it out with champions from the Visayas and Mindanao leg previously held in Las Paz, Iloilo, and Zamboanga City, respectively.
“Exciting ito, dahil ‘yung mga top swimmers natin masusubok sila sa mga ibang top swimmers from our previous series sa Visayas and Mindanao for the National Finals. This will make them proud as they represent their respective regions.
Aside from this, tatangap sila ng medalya na talagang ginawa namin na pang-international ang standard,” added Garcia.
Some of the teams already confirmed to join are Angeles City, Baguio Invictus, Bulacan Water Dragons, Cainta Alpha, Dax Swim, Ilocos Urban, Manta Ray Swim Team, Marikina Poseidon, Viking, Pampanga, Baguio, St. Mary Swim Team, and Joey Andaya Swim Club, which has the biggest number of swimmers with 24.
Garcia also recommended participants coming from the North to take the SCTEx Concepcion-Magalang exit, proceed to MacArthur Highway southbound, then take the Capas Cloverleaf Interchange going to the access road.
While participants from the South/Metro Manila may take SCTEx Dolores Exit, proceed to MacArthur Highway northbound, then take Capas Cloverleaf Interchange going to the access road.
“Make sure that you install the provided ‘FINIS SWIMMER’ sign at the windshield of your service vehicle,” Garcia said.
