Determined Athlete Swims for Yogyakarta Earthquake Relief Effort
See dramatic 7 minute swim video here
Central Java, Indonesia - To help spark interest in World Food Programme relief efforts for the recent Indonesian earthquake, marathon swimmer Monte Monfore accomplished a world first and new record near the quake’s epicenter. The American braved stormy seas swimming 12.5 kilometers in the Karimunjawa National Marine Park located north of Central Java in the South China Sea.
The
45-year-old world record ocean swimmer began his challenge under the stars on
Menyawakan Island at 4:43am. “This
swim is to call attention to the devastation of the earthquake and the dire
circumstances of those still suffering from the tragedy. Nearly 6000 people lost
their lives and nearly a million were left homeless or displaced,” Monte said before diving into the dark
sea from the pier of event sponsor, Kura Kura Resort.
The native Californian who lives on the neighboring island of Bali exhibited courage, determination, and ocean swimming skill. A fluorescent light stick attached to his swimsuit enabled support boats and camera crew to keep sight of the swimmer in the pre-dawn darkness. Encountering high winds and rough seas from the start he was forced to swim against the current for the first two hours.
“I’m swimming to convey to the world that those suffering from this tragedy require urgent humanitarian assistance. Once again this beautiful country has been hit by a natural disaster and the Indonesian people need our support,” Monte concluded in his pre-swim announcement.
As the sun rose over choppy seas the swimmer faced several hardships.
Experiencing nausea under the rough conditions he was unable to hold down his
energy drinks. He also suffered multiple jellyfish stings. The endurance
athlete strictly adhered to the rules of ocean swimming: no fins, no wetsuit,
and no touching the boat.
Supported by Stormbird Media filmmaker Dean Allan Tolhurst, cameraman Robert Barkman, and seasoned boatmen from Kura Kura Resort, Monte demonstrated resolve throughout the arduous swim. “I’m OK,” he replied every time the concerned crew, who also became sick due to the rolling waves, asked about his condition.
After 4 hours 4 minutes battling the elements the swimmer stepped onto the white sand beach of uninhabited Kumbang Island. Exhausted, but elated after his ordeal, he was cheered by his support crew.
When congratulated in a post-swim interview Monte responded, “Thank you very much. I’m tired, but I feel good…and happy. This swim, however, is for the people affected by the Yogya quake. Hundreds of thousands have lost nearly everything and now they must begin rebuilding their lives. This recovery will cost an estimated US$100 million. These wonderful people need help now.” He closed with an appeal to “ please give generously to the United Nations World Food Programme. You can make a difference at www.wfp.org.”
When asked what motivated him to swim for
Yogyakarta earthquake survivors the swimmer responded, “I love Indonesia and its
wonderful people and plan to spend the rest of my life here. My goal is to
raise awareness for those affected by the tragedy and, in a small part,
contribute to a better understanding between people of different parts of the
earth. I live on the Hindu island of Bali,
for
example, in the middle of the largest Muslim nation and third largest democracy
in the world, and I see a different face of Islam than is often depicted on
television screens across the globe. I’ve traveled throughout this beautiful
archipelago and have experienced nothing but religious tolerance, smiling faces,
and kindness. The WFP’s policy is to provide assistance to those in need around
the world, irrespective of race, religion, or nationality, and I’m very pleased
to contribute to their efforts.”
Monte continued, “Everyone would like to express their extreme gratitude to event sponsors Garuda Indonesia, TNT, Astra International-Honda, Canggu Club, Bali Deli, International SOS, Bali Adventure Tours, Oakley, Surfer Girl, Rip Curl School of Surf, Bali Hai Diving Adventures, Storm Brewing, Paradise Property, C151 Resorts, Sundancer Resort, and Kura Kura Resort here in Karimunjawa for contributing towards the Yogya relief effort.”
“Lastly, as always, I want to take this
opportunity to campaign for
protection
of the oceans and
reefs around the world, which
are slowly being destroyed by humans.
Awareness and diligence
are necessary to save these most vital and delicate ecosystems. It is our
responsibility to safeguard the sea for future generations,” he concluded.
Last month, also assisting the WFP Fight
Hunger effort, Monte set
a new single crossing world
record while swimming a double crossing of the dangerous Bali Strait between
Bali and Java. See
story and 4-minute swim video online here:
http://www.fighthunger.org/champions/monte_monfore
Contact
Monte at: montemon4@hotmail.com
For more information please search Monte Monfore on the internet.
Read about Monte’s swimming and see short videos online here:
http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2152
http://www.fighthunger.org/champions/monte_monfore
http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=2552
http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=3214
http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=3239
http://www.jakartajavakini.com/pages/edition/august-2006/whats-on/monte-swims-for-hungry-children-quake-victims-and-bali.php
About Monte
45-year-old Monte Monfore loves Indonesia and plans to spend the rest of his life living in Bali. Before moving to the resort island in 2004 he had spent more than five years surfing and swimming there since his first visit in 1990. The native Californian is a former longtime resident of Tokyo, Japan where he ran his own private English teaching business. He was a champion swimmer in his youth and an All-American in swimming and water polo in high school. He played water polo at the University of California at Berkeley where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science. He formerly held a Master’s Swimming world record for the 400-meter individual medley, which he set at UCLA in 1991. Monte’s ocean swimming career began in 1998 when he broke the world record of Hall of Fame ocean swimmer, David Yudovin (also from California) swimming from Bali to Java. He holds the world marks for single, double, and triple crossings of the Bali Strait as well as two world bests swimming the Badung Strait, from Nusa Penida Island to Bali and from Nusa Lembongan Island to Bali. He swims to promote ocean conservation as well as raise awareness and support for tsunami survivors, hungry children, and now, survivors of the Yogyakarta earthquake. Monte swims over a million meters a year (80-120 kilometers a month), training in the ocean and pools in Bali, California, and elsewhere. His interests include classical music, opera, and ballet, art history, architecture, and literature.
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