Goa :
Around 250 swimmers will compete for glory in Swimathon 2015, an open water sea swimming event at Bambolim Beach - one of Goa’s safest bays - to be held tomorrow, organizers said.
The event, organised by Goa Outbound Adventures (GO), is ‘Swim for Autism’, in collaboration with ‘SETHU’ Centre for Child Development and TIES, an organization of parents of children with special needs.
Bambolim Beach Resort is the location partner. Speaking at a press conference held for the event, organizer Elias Patel said that Swimathon 2015 has a new event - the 5km open water swim, in addition to the regular 2-km and 1-km Swimathons, and the 250-metre Sprint Swim.
Organiser Joseph Rodrigues said the total prize money of Rs 80,000, sponsored by NRB Group and 3N Distractions, would go to the winners of the four races.
Another organizer Ashwin Tombat said that for safety, Adventure Breaks and Goa Yachting Association (GYA) would provide rescue boats and kayaks, while ‘Drishti’ Life Saving would provide trained lifeguards and Jet Skis.
Trained paramedics and doctors will be on standby. Dr Vandana Parulekar of TIES said that Swimathon 2015 is to kick off Autism Awareness Month, in April.
SETHU and TIES are raising awareness for an inclusive approach towards tackling autism among children.
