- ecoflag -

*3rd Nakijin Open Water Swim Race in Okinawa


*11-12 June, 2004 Place: Uppama Beach, Nakijin, Okinawa 489 swimmers from six organizations took part in the two-day event. This year’s event included the first 3.8 km cross channel swim between the island of Kourijima and Nakijima beach, completed by all 124 competitors. The event includes environmental activities such as beach clean ups and exhibitions. The Ecoflag has become a part of the event and all the swimmers can be seen to take the environmental aspects of the event seriously. Local fishermen enjoyed watching the start of the race on Kourijima and offered to liven up the event next time with demonstrations of their fishing skills. They were also impressed by the swimming ability of the athletes as they tackled the ocean terrain, and there was a sense of mutual respect between athletes and locals. Across Nippon Swims(http://www.openwater.gr.jp) (Japanese only)

*The First Okinawa ANA Manza Open Water Swim Race - Across Nippon Swims (ANSCOM)

*This event was the second round of the Japan Open taking place on 15-16 May at the ANA Manza Beach in Onna, Okinawa, in cooperation with ANA.
Despite being in the midst of the rainy season, the event day had perfect conditions with clear skies and temperatures of 29.5-degrees. With the jutting cliffs to the left and the white walls of the hotel stretching out to the right, the central beach was an expanse of endless white sand contrasted with the marine blue ocean.

The Ecoflag was flying at the event, which was run in conjunction with a 'sports and the environment' lecture given by Professor Toshiharu Yanagi of the National Institution of Sports and Fitness in Kanoya on a theme of 'the global environment and sports recreation'.

ANSCOM's '7 Waters Movement' was also outlined to participants:

Swim in the ocean
Know the ocean better
Talk about the ocean
Enjoy the ocean
Keep the ocean clean
Respect the ocean
Be friends with the ocean

Across Nippon Swims(http://www.openwater.gr.jp) (Japanese only)

*28 March, 2004 Singapore

*Mr. Shimizu of All Nippon Swims (ANSCOM) met up for meeting in Singapore with Mr. Scott McDonald of Credit Suisse First Boston and Mrs. Cindy McDonald, an advisor for the Singapore Swimming Association. Introducing GSA's Ecoflag Movement, they agreed to fly the Ecoflag at subsequent swimming events in Singapore.
ANSCOM is currently drawing up plans for an 'environment and aquatic sports' event involving Japan and the United States (linking Tokyo and Manhattan) with the cooperation of GSA and the Japan Swimming Federation, and supported by the Credit Swisse group.

*Ecoflag flying in Malaysia


*Across Nippon Swims (ANSCOM) is a firm supporter of the Ecoflag Movement and recently introduced the use of a natural rubber swim cap for their Open Water Swim Races. Negociating with Aquatex Industries of Malaysia (http://www.aquatex.com.my/index.html)that make the cap, they agreed produce a special cap for the events. According to Mr. Ng Yew Mun of Aquatex Industries such measures are in line with the Malasian Government over the last few years to incorporate environmental protection into policy development.

*GSA PArtners with Across Nippon Swims

* Across Nippon Swims (ANSCOM) is an organization that works to romote openwater swim races.
This year they'll be promoting the 'Eco Swim Cap' made in Malaysia from 100 natural rubber at all their sponsored events.
They also be promoting the Ecoflag Movement among their Malaysian partners as well as flying the Ecoflag at domestic swimming events.
http://www.openwater.gr.jp (Japanese only)