It was the best of times…it was the worst of times. That would be the tone of this year’s Eco-Swim in Bonaire on Saturday, October 21st. “This was one of the fastest 5K swim races and one of the slowest 5K swim races that I have ever done,” said Heidi Williams, 37 from Durham, NC, a first time participant and who placed 3rd overall in the 10K with a time of 2:28.32.

Approximately 100 swimmers gathered together that morning at the dock of Captain Don’s Habitat, anxiously waiting for the 8:00 am start, to participate in either the one mile, 5K, 10K or kids pier-to-pier swim along the shoreline of Bonaire, the Caribbean island located in the Netherland Antilles. This event has steadily grown throughout the years, and this year marked the largest participation ever! As active as these swimmers were during the race, so was the current! “As a seasoned swimmer, this was the hardest swim I've ever done,” said Sue Welker, head coach of Naperville Waves Swim Club and 2006 Coach of the Year, who participated this year and placed 12th overall in the 10K with a time of 4:02.39. “That’s the excitement about coming down here, you don’t know how the current is going to be. It can be a challenge of a lifetime or just a weekend get-away, either way two thumbs up for the island of Bonaire!”

But the current didn’t stop the determination of Miriam Nowak, the 29 year-old who became the overall winner of the 10K with a time of 2:09.34. She took the first place position away from Jimmy Welborn, 51, who placed second this year with a time of 2:10.37. Last year, Nowak finished 11 seconds behind Welborn.

George Weber, a master’s swimmer with the Central Oregon Masters Aquatics was a just one week shy of his 76th birthday, when he decided to travel to Bonaire to swim the metric mile swim, where he finished with a time of 53.56. “Each year, I have a birthday swim and this year the swim was going to be in Bonaire,” stated Weber. “The race was a lot of fun, my breathing was easier since I was swimming at a lower altitude then what I am used to in Oregon and my buoyancy was better, where my feet didn’t drag. My swim was very enjoyable during the first ½ mile, until the turn around point and then it became tough with the current. As the oldest participant of the race, I want to be an encouragement to older swimmers by saying, just keep on going!”

The thrill didn’t stop there, the day after the race, swimmers took part in climbing onboard the Siamese Sailing Junk called the “Samur,” where the ship set sail for a 3 ½ hour cruise, where everyone got to enjoy cocktails, appetizers and the sunset. During the middle of the cruise, the Samur dropped anchor and everyone got to enjoy snorkeling and learning how to ride a new water toy called the “Surf-Wing.”

Randy Nutt, Event Director had this to say to the swimmers after the event, “On behalf of Aqua Moon Adventures and all the volunteers, I’d like to say a big “Thank You.” I never tire of mentioning that it is the swimmers who create the adventurous and wonderful atmosphere at these events. Your smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm create happiness and inspiration for everyone. It is our hope that we added a little excitement and friendship into your life as you did ours.”

“What I liked best about this trip other than touching the orange buoy at the finish was all the camaraderie. I never experienced such a more organized race,” added Heidi. The Bonaire community including the Marine Park and local boaters, as well as kayakers played a significant role in keeping the waters safe for the swimmers who participated. One of the kayakers, Gabriel from Bonaire, gave his knowledge about the local current situation to the swimmers.

Bob Bruce, head coach of the Central Oregon Masters Aquatics participated in his first Bonaire race and placed 5th overall in the 5K. “This was a great place for a race. I swim in Open Water races all the time and enjoy the outdoor surroundings of Oregon, but nothing compares to looking at the beautiful scenery while swimming around this island. This trip was right down our line of interest.”

We hope to see you next year!

Information for next year’s event will be posted at http://www.aquamoonadventures.com/

BONAIRE ECOSWIM - 2006 Final Results

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 METRIC MILE SOLO OVERALL RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 0:28:08 Mike Tennant M 53 Bend OR USA
2 0:30:44 Pieter Zweers M 49 BON
3 0:41:45 Betty Chidester F 50 Virginia Beach VA USA
4 0:43:20 Pamela Himstreet F 62 Bend OR USA
5 0:44:36 Lara Torbar Ramirez F 35 Caracas VEN
6 0:44:37 Santiago Ball M 16 Maracaibo VEN
7 0:46:23 Rolando De La Pena M 45 Maracaibo VEN
8 0:46:44 Shauna Riely F 42 Issaquah WA USA
9 0:46:59 Peggy Whiter F 63 Bend OR USA
10 0:47:14 Desiree Arredondo F 35 Maracaibo VEN
11 0:48:59 Stephanie Grell F 32 Annandale VA USA
12 0:49:34 Isidoor Van Riemsdyk M 33 BON
13 0:50:53 Josefa Villasmil F 52 Maracaibo VEN
14 0:52:57 Seth Eskind M 48 Nashville TN USA
15 0:53:56 George Weber M 75 Culver OR USA
16 0:54:13 Patricia Vegas F 44 Caracas VEN
17 1:10:30 Carmen Bernabela F 49 BON
18 1:30:00 Mary Fran Laier F 56 Indiana Wells CA USA
DNF Aldair Koeyers M 11 BON

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 METRIC MILE FEMALE SOLO RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 0:41:45 Betty Chidester F 50 Virginia Beach VA USA
2 0:43:20 Pamela Himstreet F 62 Bend OR USA
3 0:44:36 Lara Torbar Ramirez F 35 Caracas VEN
4 0:46:44 Shauna Riely F 42 Issaquah WA USA
5 0:46:59 Peggy Whiter F 63 Bend OR USA
6 0:47:14 Desiree Arredondo F 35 Maracaibo VEN
7 0:48:59 Stephanie Grell F 32 Annandale VA USA
8 0:50:53 Josefa Villasmil F 52 Maracaibo VEN
9 0:54:13 Patricia Vegas F 44 Caracas VEN
10 1:10:30 Carmen Bernabela F 49 BON
11 1:30:00 Mary Fran Laier F 56 Indiana Wells CA USA

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 METRIC MILE MALE SOLO RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 0:28:08 Mike Tennant M 53 Bend OR USA
2 0:30:44 Pieter Zweers M 49 BON
3 0:44:37 Santiago Ball M 16 Maracaibo VEN
4 0:46:23 Rolando De La Pena M 45 Maracaibo VEN
5 0:49:34 Isidoor Van Riemsdyk M 33 BON
6 0:52:57 Seth Eskind M 48 Nashville TN USA
7 0:53:56 George Weber M 75 Culver OR USA
DNF Aldair Koeyers M 11 BON

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 METRIC MILE WITH FINS OVERALL RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 0:39:17 Bettina Goetz F 34 Caracas VEN
2 0:43:00 David Riely M 45 Issaquah WA USA
3 0:48:44 Richard Meyer M 42 Caracas VEN
4 1:02:16 Shannon Connelly F 54 Austin TX USA
5 1:03:16 Pamela Teitel F 44 BON
6 1:10:56 Diana Kauffmann F 62 Caracas VEN
DNF Carlos Villasmil M 52 Maracaibo VEN
DNF Diane Werdath F 7 BON

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 METRIC MILE WITH FINS FEMALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 0:39:17 Bettina Goetz F 34 Caracas VEN
2 1:02:16 Shannon Connelly F 54 Austin TX USA
3 1:03:16 Pamela Teitel F 44 BON
4 1:10:56 Diana Kauffmann F 62 Caracas VEN
DNF Diane Werdath F 7 BON

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 METRIC MILE WITH FINS MALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 0:43:00 David Riely M 45 Issaquah WA USA
2 0:48:44 Richard Meyer M 42 Caracas VEN
DNF Carlos Villasmil M 52 Maracaibo VEN

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 5K OVERALL RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 1:09:53 Russell Frazier M 52 Palm Harbor FL USA
2 1:12:14 Fernando Arriaga M 46 Caracas VEN
3 1:13:08 Heather Rietz F 38 Nashville TN USA
4 1:14:43 Ramzy Azar M 34 Virginia Beach VA USA
5 1:16:53 Bob Bruce M 58 Bend OR USA
6 1:17:35 Federico Mayoral M 46 Caracas VEN
7 1:18:29 Carlos Alcega M 50 Caracas VEN
8 1:18:30 Enrique Travieso M 19 Caracas VEN
9 1:19:44 Enrique Nevett M 48 Caracas VEN
10 1:20:36 Edmond Saade M 38 Caracas VEN
11 1:21:46 Raul Pegan M 49 Caracas VEN
12 1:29:15 Alberto Tovar M 46 Caracas VEN
13 1:31:38 Carlos Brillembourg M 46 Caracas VEN
14 1:31:39 Oscar Arredondo M 38 Maracaibo VEN
15 1:31:40 William Chacin M 23 Maracaibo VEN
16 1:32:52 Joseph Saade M 40 Caracas VEN
17 1:33:10 Federico Rotundo M 35 Caracas VEN
18 1:33:53 Beverly Ehlebracht F 47 Naperville IL USA
19 1:35:10 Kim Weeks F 40 Naperville IL USA
20 1:36:44 Carolina Witzke F 40 Caracas VEN
21 1:37:35 Linda Musante F 52 Tampa FL USA
22 1:38:51 Jenine Doogs F 40 Fort Worth TX USA
23 1:40:47 Lorenzo Bianco M 41 Caracas VEN
24 1:44:50 Judy Eskind F 51 Nashville TN USA
25 1:45:57 Carolina Urdaneta F 33 Caracas VEN
26 1:48:36 Elizabeth Jenkins F 56 Tampa FL USA
27 1:52:45 Julio Cubillan M 32 Caracas VEN
28 1:53:13 Kristen Van De Carr F 44 Bloomingdale IL USA
29 1:56:41 Agustin Cangas M 48 Caracas VEN
30 2:07:17 Eduardo Travieso M 50 Caracas VEN
31 2:41:20 Maria Corina Jimenez F 18 Caracas VEN
32 2:46:47 Carolina White F 43 Caracas VEN
33 4:00:50 Jean Ducourneau M 46 Caracas VEN
DNF Enrique Vasquez M 13 BON

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 5K FEMALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 1:13:08 Heather Rietz F 38 Nashville TN USA
2 1:33:53 Beverly Ehlebracht F 47 Naperville IL USA
3 1:35:10 Kim Weeks F 40 Naperville IL USA
4 1:36:44 Carolina Witzke F 40 Caracas VEN
5 1:37:35 Linda Musante F 52 Tampa FL USA
6 1:38:51 Jenine Doogs F 40 Fort Worth TX USA
7 1:44:50 Judy Eskind F 51 Nashville TN USA
8 1:45:57 Carolina Urdaneta F 33 Caracas VEN
9 1:48:36 Elizabeth Jenkins F 56 Tampa FL USA
10 1:53:13 Kristen Van De Carr F 44 Bloomingdale IL USA
11 2:41:20 Maria Corina Jimenez F 18 Caracas VEN
12 2:46:47 Carolina White F 43 Caracas VEN

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 5K MALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 1:09:53 Russell Frazier M 52 Palm Harbor FL USA
2 1:12:14 Fernando Arriaga M 46 Caracas VEN
3 1:14:43 Ramzy Azar M 34 Virginia Beach VA USA
4 1:16:53 Bob Bruce M 58 Bend OR USA
5 1:17:35 Federico Mayoral M 46 Caracas VEN
6 1:18:29 Carlos Alcega M 50 Caracas VEN
7 1:18:30 Enrique Travieso M 19 Caracas VEN
8 1:19:44 Enrique Nevett M 48 Caracas VEN
9 1:20:36 Edmond Saade M 38 Caracas VEN
10 1:21:46 Raul Pegan M 49 Caracas VEN
11 1:29:15 Alberto Tovar M 46 Caracas VEN
12 1:31:38 Carlos Brillembourg M 46 Caracas VEN
13 1:31:39 Oscar Arredondo M 38 Maracaibo VEN
14 1:31:40 William Chacin M 23 Maracaibo VEN
15 1:32:52 Joseph Saade M 40 Caracas VEN
16 1:33:10 Federico Rotundo M 35 Caracas VEN
17 1:40:47 Lorenzo Bianco M 41 Caracas VEN
18 1:52:45 Julio Cubillan M 32 Caracas VEN
19 1:56:41 Agustin Cangas M 48 Caracas VEN
20 2:07:17 Eduardo Travieso M 50 Caracas VEN
21 4:00:50 Jean Ducourneau M 46 Caracas VEN
DNF Enrique Vasquez M 13 BON

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 5K WITH FINS OVERALL RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 1:17:43 Diego Tamayo M 41 Caracas VEN
2 1:20:07 Luis Marturet M 46 Caracas VEN
3 1:21:20 Jose Arocha M 40 Caracas VEN
4 1:21:27 Giada Binelli F 15 BON
5 1:30:41 Michelle Mathieu F 43 Oswego IL USA
6 1:43:59 Jamal Trenidad M 14 BON
7 1:45:07 Christina Tovar F 42 Caracas VEN

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 5K WITH FINS FEMALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 1:21:27 Giada Binelli F 15 BON
2 1:30:41 Michelle Mathieu F 43 Oswego IL USA
3 1:45:07 Christina Tovar F 42 Caracas VEN

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 5K WITH FINS MALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 1:17:43 Diego Tamayo M 41 Caracas VEN
2 1:20:07 Luis Marturet M 46 Caracas VEN
3 1:21:20 Jose Arocha M 40 Caracas VEN
4 1:43:59 Jamal Trenidad M 14 BON

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 10K OVERALL RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 2:09:34 Miriam Nowak F 29 Auburn MI USA
2 2:10:37 Jimmy Welborn M 51 Chattanooga TN USA
3 2:28:32 Heidi Williams F 37 Durham NC USA
4 2:39:11 Lisa Nienhaus F 27 New Port Richey FL USA
5 3:06:45 Derek Parr M 32 Chapel Hill NC USA
6 3:18:23 Carol Carter F 42 Tampa FL USA
7 3:23:59 Carlos Behrens M 31 Caracas VEN
8 3:30:55 Gretchen Van De Carr F 49 Durham NC USA
9 3:32:21 Carlos Behrens, Sr M 58 Caracas VEN
10 3:36:15 Esteban Torbar M 39 Caracas VEN
11 3:37:47 Teodoro Capriles M 39 Caracas VEN
12 4:02:39 Susan Welker F 44 Naperville IL USA
13 4:15:57 Kathy Kent F 43 Naperville IL USA
14 4:46:50 Dale Williams F 54 New Orleans LA USA
15 5:01:11 Dawn Vanis F 34 Kennesaw GA USA
16 5:12:30 Katherine Masterson F 57 Decatur GA USA
DNF Diana Corbin F 38 Beltsville MD USA
DNF Amanda Hunt F 37 Naperville IL USA
DNF Patricia Sener F 42 Brooklyn NY USA
DNF Jose Vegas M 51 Caracas VEN

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 10K FEMALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 2:09:34 Miriam Nowak F 29 Auburn MI USA
2 2:28:32 Heidi Williams F 37 Durham NC USA
3 2:39:11 Lisa Nienhaus F 27 New Port Richey FL USA
4 3:18:23 Carol Carter F 42 Tampa FL USA
5 3:30:55 Gretchen Van De Carr F 49 Durham NC USA
6 4:02:39 Susan Welker F 44 Naperville IL USA
7 4:15:57 Kathy Kent F 43 Naperville IL USA
8 4:46:50 Dale Williams F 54 New Orleans LA USA
9 5:01:11 Dawn Vanis F 34 Kennesaw GA USA
10 5:12:30 Katherine Masterson F 57 Decatur GA USA
DNF Diana Corbin F 38 Beltsville MD USA
DNF Amanda Hunt F 37 Naperville IL USA
DNF Patricia Sener F 42 Brooklyn NY USA

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 10K MALE RESULTS
Place Time First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
1 2:10:37 Jimmy Welborn M 51 Chattanooga TN USA
2 3:06:45 Derek Parr M 32 Chapel Hill NC USA
3 3:23:59 Carlos Behrens M 31 Caracas VEN
4 3:32:21 Carlos Behrens, Sr M 58 Caracas VEN
5 3:36:15 Esteban Torbar M 39 Caracas VEN
6 3:37:47 Teodoro Capriles M 39 Caracas VEN
DNF Jose Vegas M 51 Caracas VEN

BONAIRE ECOSWIM 2006 PIER-TO-PIER SWIM
First Name Last Name Gender Age City State Country
Bianca Arredondo F 5 Maracaibo VEN
Rafael Arredondo M 8 Maracaibo VEN
Richard Meyer M 7 Caracas VEN
Diane Werdath F 7 BON