FINIS Philippines kicks off its National Long Course Swim Competition Series with the staging of the Visayas leg this weekend (Nov. 5 and 6) at the Iloilo Sports Complex Swimming pool at La Paz, Iloilo City.
Chief organizer and FINIS Managing Director Vince Garcia said over 200 swimmers from 25 teams and clubs have confirmed participation in the tournament serving as the final program and activities of the brand this year.
“We’re happy and proud, despite the enormous effect of typhoon ‘Paeng’ in the region, many teams have confirmed their participation. ‘Yung resiliency nila is very commendable and we in FINIS are doing our best to provide them a competition with international standards,” said Garcia.
Garcia said Bacolod-based clubs such as John B. Lacson Swim Team, Megakraken, Aklan, Iloilo Tigershark and Capiz Turboshark have sent big delegations, hoping to clinch slots for the National Finals in December.
Other teams which received Meet Info kits and entry forms include Binarayan Tadpole Swimming Club, Bohol Splashers, Buddy Swim Team, Capiz Eaglerays, Capiz Turbo Shark, Iloilo Starfish, Iloilo Tiger Shark, JBLFMU Dolphin, Salabite Swim Sting, Silay Orca, Sta. Fe Crocs and University of San Carlos.
National team member and one of FINIS ambassadors in Kyla Soquillon of Malay, Aklan is expected to lead participants vie for pride and glory in this once-in-a-lifetime shot to stardom as well as chances to join the FINIS high-profile lineup of brand ambassadors.
“This is an off shoot to the previous short course series we organized, so we expected the best of the Visayas to show up to form a competitive squad in the national finals,” said Garcia.
Top swimmers in the Visayas leg, as well as in the scheduled Mindanao stop on November 12 and 13 at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex Swimming Pool in Zamboanga, and the Luzon Leg slated November 26 and 27 at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac, will clash for the national diadem on December 17 and 18, also in Clark.
Garcia also expressed his gratitude to the support and cooperation of local coaches in the culmination of the FINIS-American Swimming Coaches Association Swim Coaching Certification Clinics last November 27 to 31 in Acropolis, Quezon City.
“A big kudos to our ASCA Certified Coach Chad Onken in conducting the clinics and sharing his wealth of his experiences as an elite swim coach. Pasalamatan ko lahat ng sumali ng Swim Coaching Certification ng ASCA. Baka maulit namin sa March 2023. Hintay lang ng announcement sa maraming mga nag-inquire kung kailan ang susunod,” said Garcia, an active triathlete and ‘Godfather’ to TODO Para-athletes.