Organized by Open Water Event in partnership with the Royal Moroccan Swimming Federation, this competition will see 120 swimmers, representing 20 nationalities, attempt to surpass themselves during the 4 stages of a traveling race of 30 km in total, underlines a press release from the organizers.
“Since the launch of the Morocco Swim Trek in 2015, we have seen the number of participants increase over time, going from 60 for the first edition to 120 today or even 140 in 2019. An evolution also noted in level of nationalities represented, since this year we are welcoming French, American, Brazilian, Romanian, Swedish, Slavic, Belgian, Italian, Spanish, German, Moroccan and even Israeli swimmers. Today, we are more than proud to have done this. of this cosmopolitan event, an ode to diversity and sharing”, notes Edith Moina, Founder and Organizer of the Morocco Swim Trek, quoted in the press release.
And it is the common passion for the sea, the love of challenge, or just the pleasure of discovering or rediscovering the beautiful region of Dakhla, which unites and animate these 120 swimmers from the four corners of the world. Indeed, beyond sport, the Morocco Swim Trek conveys values of perseverance and surpassing oneself, shared by all participants.
“Swimmers of all ages, amateurs or professionals, this is precisely what makes this competition unique. Moreover, this year we are welcoming, in an exceptional way, a young 16-year-old Moroccan swimmer, alongside a 65-year-old swimmer, dean of publishing. Thus, all participants will have the opportunity to surpass themselves in the face of currents and wind, particular signs of the Dakhla region”, continues Ms. Molina.
This open water trek is also a revealer of talents and even Moroccan champions. Indeed, during the previous edition, it was two young Moroccan swimmers, Mohamed Yassine Bensaleh and Yasser Benchebba, aged 19 and 20 respectively, who won first and second place in the category without wetsuit. They were followed by the renowned Italian swimmer Fabio Calmasini aged 51.
Furthermore, the environmental aspect also plays a major role in this event, the regulations for which have been established with total respect for nature and the environment. For example, any throwing of waste into the water by swimmers is a disqualifying element. Also, since its creation, the Morocco Swim Trek has been part of this perspective, particularly through the organization of awareness workshops for young people through actions carried out in partnership with local associations. Moreover, in 2018, the event welcomed Anne France Didier, President of the Défismed association, Director PLAN BLEU at the Ministry of Ecology – France -, responsible for steering the SDG14 Ocean to the delegation of the sea and of the coastline.
Finally, solidarity and sharing constitute the 3rd pillar of the Morocco Swim Trek. “Organizing the Morocco Swim Trek is a way for us to share our passion and promote a region that is dear to us. We are lucky to have around us a team of friends and volunteers who share the same values as well as partners who have always supported us”, indicates, for her part, Renata Thieck-Alami, member of the Morocco Swim Trek organization.
Early sponsors like Nadia Ben Bahtane, the first Moroccan to swim alone across the Strait of Gibraltar in 2015 and Jacques Tuset, world-famous French swimmer, will take part in the adventure this year. Alongside them, ambassadors such as Dino Sebti, a passionate swimmer who crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 2017, the Brazilian professional swimmer Thais Sant’Antana, the coach of the Swedish national open water swimmers team Mikael Rosen or again the French triathlete Toumy Degham.
Moreover, another particularity of this 7th edition, three swimmers are competing to raise funds for charitable associations. Nadia Ben Bahtane and David Reynal respectively represent Pink Wave, an initiative for the fight against cancer, and Clotilde Marchal for the Association PSE -Pour un Sourire d’Enfant-.
“I am happy to be part of the Morocco Swim Trek adventure since its first edition. And this year even more, since I am swimming for a cause that is dear to me. I am also particularly proud that Morocco is home to an event of such quality and scale, a competition which has attracted the loyalty of several international swimmers who return for the beauty of Dakhla, the unique format of the events and the spirit of sharing and friendship which makes the Morocco Swim Trek special”, concludes Nadia. Ben Bahtane, godmother of the event.
2024-09-29 07:28:24