After conquering the Berbice, Demerara and Corentyne Rivers a swimmer has set his sights on the mighty Essequibo River and plans to swim across it on Tuesday.
Ashraf Ali has swum across the Berbice Ricer twice, the Demerara River twice and the Corentyne River once and now intends to take on the majestic Essequibo River in what is expected to be a six-hour swim.
Ashraf Ali sharing a moment with Police Commander of ‘B’ Division Ian Amsterdam after their meeting
The Berbice River took him one and a half hours, the Corentyne River four hours and the Demerara River thirty minutes.
The 70-year old Ali last swam across the Berbice River in 1998 and intends to do it again on Saturday (tomorrow) as he prepares himself for the swim of his life; the Essequibo River. The Demerara River swim was done in 1999 along with his 15-year-old daughter at that time and a few other teenagers.
To add to his experience, Ali has swum across Lake Mainstay twice.
The former Berbice High School student wants the Essequibo swim to also mark fist former school’s 100th anniversary and Guyana 50th Independence anniversary.
Tuesday’s swim will start at Rockstone and he intends to swim around Luck Island and then make it to the other side of the river. He estimated that it will take him six hours. “It will be a challenge to see if I can keep myself afloat for that long and if I can swim against the tide and with the strong current for that long.”
Ali has completed all of the swims that he has attempted; some of them accompanied and some alone. “I will be doing the Essequibo swim alone because the water has piranhas, stingrays, caimans and anacondas…”
However, the Berbice River swim on Saturday might be done with others if anyone wants to take up the challenge.
On Tuesday Ali met Divisional Commander of Berbice Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam to discuss his plans. In congratulating the experienced swimmer, Amsterdam said the police will be there to give their support.
He, however, noted that it is always good when people can do things like that. “It should act as a good motivator for the youths, we now have an Olympic size pool in Guyana and it is about time for us to start producing swimming champions. I wish you success and hope that more young people will take up swimming as a sport,” the Commander said.
Ali noted that he is also doing both swims to promote good health.
