Apparently karma was not on our side this year:
Mother Nature with her monthly jellyfish party disrupted our normal December date.
The City & County of Honolulu has changed its permitting requirements such that the cost of insurance is now exorbitant and deposit fees have increased 500%.
There has been lots of publicity about the Big Fish that inhabit our waters. This has caused concern in some people. There have been cancellations of some entrants who are uncomfortable about swimming in Waikiki waters at the present time.
The economics of putting on this event have never been positive. Given the substantial increases in regulatory costs and the increasing likelihood of a very small number of entrants this year (last minute entries usually make up most of the difference between minus and break even) as many potential swimmers apparently have decided to sit out this year. The probability was very high that this would be a very costly year for the organizer.
Given the factors above, we have become increasingly uncomfortable about holding the event this year. For a successful event the Organizer should be as comfortable as the Swimmer.
We would like to thank all those who entered this year and sincerely hope that we have not inconvenienced them beyond getting them to continue working out.
As for the future of the Looong Distance Swim, that remains to be seen. Conditions will have to be evaluated next year.
The Organizing Committee
Mother Nature with her monthly jellyfish party disrupted our normal December date.
The City & County of Honolulu has changed its permitting requirements such that the cost of insurance is now exorbitant and deposit fees have increased 500%.
There has been lots of publicity about the Big Fish that inhabit our waters. This has caused concern in some people. There have been cancellations of some entrants who are uncomfortable about swimming in Waikiki waters at the present time.
The economics of putting on this event have never been positive. Given the substantial increases in regulatory costs and the increasing likelihood of a very small number of entrants this year (last minute entries usually make up most of the difference between minus and break even) as many potential swimmers apparently have decided to sit out this year. The probability was very high that this would be a very costly year for the organizer.
Given the factors above, we have become increasingly uncomfortable about holding the event this year. For a successful event the Organizer should be as comfortable as the Swimmer.
We would like to thank all those who entered this year and sincerely hope that we have not inconvenienced them beyond getting them to continue working out.
As for the future of the Looong Distance Swim, that remains to be seen. Conditions will have to be evaluated next year.
The Organizing Committee