Ni Roel N. Catoto

DOVER, United Kingdom – Pinaahon sa tubig ang environmental lawyer at endurance swimmer na si Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine matapos ang halos isang oras na paglangoy para sa kanyang kaligtasan.

Sa kabila ng malamig na tubig na nasa 17 degree Celsius, determinado si Macarine na makumpleto ang 21-milyang (33.8 kilometro) paglangoy sa English Channel, na nagsimula sa Samphire Hoe Beach sa Dover, ngunit siya ay pinahinto ng boat pilot na si Eric Hartley ng Pathfinder charter dakong 2:45 ng umaga (oras sa Britain).

“It’s hard to control the boat with the current condition. The wind speed is too strong than what was forecasted at 3 knots. It’s important to keep him near the boat. It’s always safety first. With this condition, it’s so easy to lose the swimmer with the swells and anything,” sinabi ni Hartley sa mamamahayag na nakasakay ng bangka para sundan ang makasaysayang paglangoy.

Umabot na sa 3.8 kilometro ang nalangoy ni Macarine nang pahintuin siya ng boat pilot. Inakala ni Macarine na ito ang una niyang pag-inom ng 400 ml energy drink ngunit nasorpresa siya nang siya ay patigilin.

“I couldn’t believe I was stopped. I’ve gone through worse on it during my previous crossings in the Philippines,” aniya, idinugtong na wala siyang magawa dahil ang paglangoy ay pinamamahalaan ng Channel Swimming Association (CSA).

Sinabi ni Keith Oiller, official observer ng CSA, kay Macarine na maaari siyang lumangoy sa ibang araw kung kailan maganda ang panahon.

“Swim window for Ingemar probably on Friday but again it depends on sea condition,” anang Oiller.

Ang 21-milyang English Channel ay itinuturing na “Mount Everest” para sa open water swimmers sa buong mundo.

Pitong Pilipino na ang nakaakyat sa tuktok ng Mount Everest ngunit wala pang Pinoy na matagumpay na nakatawid sa English Channel.

“After swimming for almost an hour, my pilot Eric decided to stop the swim for safety reason. Wind speed was 21 knots, way different than 3 knots as it was forecasted. I’m hoping to be able to swim again this Friday if weather condition will permit. I guess I will have to extend my government official leave and departure date. Tuloy ang laban. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas,” ani Macarine.