SAFRA Swim for Hope is back for the 2024 installation. The event brings together swimmers from all over Singapore in a celebration of endurance, community spirit, and giving back. Also, this annual charity swim is more than just a sporting event, and a meaningful platform that lets participants of all ages dive in to make waves of change!
Here, you contribute to supporting impactful charitable causes literally with every swim stroke. It tads creates an atmosphere that’s filled with excitement and purpose. Let’s run through the event as a participant for the 55km swimming event.
Event Conduct and Categories
The event had it’s registration from 1 Aug to 30 Sep 2024, with the swim period from 1st Sep to 27 Oct 2024. The event has been designed to be inclusive and accommodating, welcoming swimmers from all backgrounds and experience levels. Swimmers can choose to participate in several categories and 3 swim modes.
First off on event categories, Swim distances ranges from 1km to 55km for the Open Individual Category. Here, the 1km swim costs $22 to enter, $38 for the 15km and $55 for the flagship 55km. There is also a team 250km ($45/pax) where 5 members can form a team to swim 250km in total. Also, Family event starts at 1km to 5km for the Families for Life Category costing $35-50 to enter for 1 parent and 1 child.
Moreover, these distances can be accomplished through 3 modes, namely full virtual, full physical or a mix (hybrid). For the full virtual mode, you can swim at any pool in Singapore at your own time. The Full Physical mode is where all the swims are to be completed at selected SAFRA Clubs only on event days.
Also, Hybrid mode is a middle ground and recommended mode for more flexibility. This is also if you you are swimming distances 15km and beyond. I find the limited number of physical time slots available for booking makes it difficult to do 55km only at SAFRA pools. But a full physical swim might be feasible for 1km and up to 15km total distances.
Purpose and Beneficiaries
In a nutshell, SAFRA Swim for Hope was founded with the aim of merging sports with social impact. It has become a staple event for Singapore’s swimming community. It attracts individuals, families, and even corporate teams who rally together to swim for a cause.
The event was built on the philosophy that small actions, when pooled together, can make a big difference. The donation proceeds from this event go to various beneficiaries, such as the NCSS Special Assistance Fund, SPD and beneficiaries of the Singapore President’s Challenge. It goes to supporting underprivileged children, elderly care, and families in need, making every lap swum a step closer to helping vulnerable communities.
Physical swim conduct
You have to book through the event website a date for physical swim at SAFRA Clubs similar to last year’s event. This is the same web portal you use to update and log your swim activities and fund-raise towards your goals too. Thankfully, entry to the pool areas on physical event days are limited to Swim-for-Hope participants. This guarantee you have safe space to clock your laps without having to deal with rowdy members of the public.
For event swimmers on your Physical swim, you be issued coloured wristband demarcating your pre-booked timeslot. There is flexibility to continue your swim beyond your timeslot if the pool is not full. On all my swims, the pools were never full. You can easily obtain a different coloured band if you wish to swim beyond your allocated timeslot.
Lap swimming and a family carnival
Also, to support swimmers in their cause, there are physical support booths offering isotonic drinks and bananas if you need a mid-swim refuel. The conduct of the swim was well done with the staff being very professional and helpful.
One gripe I noticed post-swim is that the distance entry website only counts the first 1km of your physical swim. In my case, I did 5 km onsite and technically “lost” 4km of distance as it only counted the 1km needed for my physical swim. There is no such issue however, for the virtual swim distance entry.
Also, in addition to the lap swims, the part of the pool is also opened for a family event carnival. Entry for the half-day even is a ticketed-only entry too, where it costs $20 to enter the event ground with 3 accompanying members. On family event days, part of the pool is closed with family-themed inflatables and slides. You can also find carnival foods such as cotton candy, and popcorn available to go.
Wrapping up with swimmer entitlements
Now lastly to touch on the race entitlements you get as a swimmer. You collect your race pack at one of the 3 available SAFRA clubs of your choosing at registration. You get an event t-shirt, medal and goodie bag. 55km and 250km finishers gets an additional black finisher tee. Sponsors Starbalm, Walch washing as well as Life sciences with an interestingly large 300 capsule Glucosamine tablet bottle to boot.
Other miscellaneous items inside the race pack include discount vouchers from various companies and brands, such as frozt popsicles, Reebok and Woah. The entitlements are similar, and not too different from last year and adequate for the $55 even registration price. This is considering you do get 2 dry-fit tees, as well as a portion of the fee going to charity too. It is a bargain and quite good value with Marathon events this year almost reaching the $200 registration fee mark.
It is also pleasing to know form my last year’s feedback that you can change the collection date of your race pack collection too, but you can only do it via email.
All in all, SAFRA Swim for Hope 2024 promises a fun, lively atmosphere with lots of camaraderie and cheer. Whether it’s cheering on teammates from the pool deck or diving into the water yourself, the event is packed with encouragement and high spirits, and all for a good cause too for a better community.
