Swimmers splash into open water competition  

Swimmers compete in a 10km swimming event off the beach of Đà Nẵng. More than 200 swimmers will be competing in the Đà Nẵng Open Water Swimming Championship on April 28th, along with a series of rescue training activities and summer festive programmes. Photo courtesy of Minh Huy

ĐÀ NẴNG — More than 200 swimmers will be competing in the Đà Nẵng Open Water Swimming Championship: Across the summer waves, off the East Sea Beach on April 28th, kicking off a summer vacation beach festival in the tourism hub.

The Sơn Trà Peninsula’s beach and tourism managing board said the swimming event will offer men’s 2km and women’s 1km events for six age groups from 14 to 69.

Athletes will have a qualifying test from 3pm to 6pm on April 27th before the official course opens at 5.30am on April 28th.

Vietnamese and foreign tourists are eligible for the course, the event’s organisers said.

It said 12 rescue coaches from Australia lifeguard service (Surf Life Saving) will provide a free water safety training courses for children and community on the beach in the morning and afternoon on April 28th.

A trainer introduces life-skills practice for children on the beach of Đà Nẵng. Life-skills training courses will be organised for children and the community on April 28th. VNS Photo Công Thành

An international lifeguard training and certification course will be held for Sơn Trà beach rescuers from Việt Nam, the Philippines, Myanmar, Sabah-Malaysia and Taiwan on April 29th-May 2nd.

David Field, an international trainer and assessor, and other Australian experts will coach the life-skills courses.

Surf Life Saving has supported a safer and prosperous Việt Nam since 2014.

Kids join a beach fun and life-skills practice activity on the beach of Đà Nẵng. Rescue activities have been held on the beach of Đà Nẵng to ensure safe summer beach vacation. VNS Photo Công Thành

Đà Nẵng is the first locality in central Việt Nam to provide swimming training for students at all primary schools.

According to Ministry of Health statistics, drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children over the age of one in Việt Nam, with nearly 10 drowning every day. VNS