In an event of unprecedented hype and magnitude, ten of KAUST’s fiercest athletes took to the open waters in the first annual Bay to Beacon 1K swim at 9am this morning. Followed closely by Coastlines Search and Rescue and members of the undercover KAUST Security team, the event was a huge success.
With calm waters and high spirits, all ten swimmers took to the sea, not knowing what hurdles lay ahead.
Nearly two-thirds into the race, four of the swimmers were forced to exit due to deceivingly warm water temperatures; and just moments later, the remaining swimmers received an onslaught of advice and proper insight from the undercover KAUST Security team, warning them of jellyfish and the foul taste of saltwater. Heeding their warning, the six remaining swimmers courageously pushed forward towards the Beacon (of knowledge).
Upon arrival, the six finishers were greeted by the Search and Rescue boat, only to be escorted to the Yacht Club for celebratory Aquafinas and a formal congrats from the KAUST Security shift manager (signatures and photos all around).
Back on the mainland, there have been talks of making the swim part of the first KAUST sprint triathlon, or maybe just a hazing ritual for new coming students… either way, next year’s Bay to Beacon is sure to bring more excitement and vigor to the KAUST daily grind.
(Please kindly note that the actual events that transpired during the second half of the swim were given a ‘happy ending’ by myself to bring light to the ludicrous fact that swimming in the KAUST Bay is supposedly illegal; as we were rudely made aware of by KAUST Security this morning in our interrupted efforts to sneak in some fun, healthy exercise…but the happy ending sounded better didn’t it?)
Congratulations, E-mart. Joe Dietrich needs to read this. What a great adventure. How long did the swim take? N
Thuwal Bay- April 29th, 2010. “Unprecedented indeed”- according to the KAUST Finishline Welcoming Staff.
“I’ve never seen such carlessness in getting stung by an evident overpopulation of jellyfish and such nimbleness to avoid reckless boats, jet-skis, catamarans, yachts, sailboats and even waterbikes right in the middle of their transit and commercial waterways with such an enthusiasm, and only one focus: reaching 1st the Beacon of Knowledge”- commented DT- MVP to himself.
What is the purpose? -some might ask. As commented on this blog: to establish the foundations for other generations to enjoy this (now traditional) DT: B2B- 1K with the same fervidness (either by hazing rituals, by mistake or willingly) and to add it to next semester’s DT: B2B- Triathlon.
Thank you “DT- Captain Long” for your words and the inspiration.
No women? I hope to join you next year! We arrive in August!
I don’t see what the problem is, especially when you’ve got Hasselhoff by your side.
But seriously, idk if captain Long duc Dong was in charge of this outfit or not, but it is surely reminiscent of the Stockton early 2000s… i hope Arabian Securitas wasn’t too charitable with the lashings.