Frequently Asked Questions
Why?
The Pan-American Colibrí Swim aims to raise awareness and money for the Colibri Center for Human Rights (see http://www.colibricenter.org) that serves to alleviate the suffering of individuals whose family members have died while crossing the USA-Mexican border.
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What?
The Pan-American Colibrí Swim is an international cross-border ocean swim by a group of accomplished swimmers from five nations.
Where?
From Imperial Beach south of San Diego, California, across the USA - Mexican maritime border in the Pacific Ocean, to Tijuana, Mexico.
When?
Start at 8:30 am on Friday, 5 May 2017. Expected finish in Tijuana at 12:30 pm.
Who?
Swimmers: Kim Chambers (New Zealand), Oded Rahav (Israel), Jean Craven (South Africa), Antonio Argüelles (Mexico), Rene Martínex Saenz (Mexico), Ryan Nelson (USA), Melissa King (USA), Neil Macaskill (South Africa), Nora Toledano (Mexico), Mariel Hawley (Mexico), Steven Munatones (USA) , Ben Enosh (USA /Israel)
The swimmers have completed a number of cross-border swims (England-France, Scotland-Northern Ireland, Israel-Jordan, Cyprus-Israel, USA-Canada, Spain-Morocco), swum across many of the world's major channels, and have achieved the Oceans Seven, Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, and the highest swim in the world during their myriad aquatic acts of Speedo diplomacy.
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How?
Swimmers will enter on the south side of the Imperial Beach Pier, swim out past the surf, and head south guided by escort boats and kayakers until they reach shore in Tijuana, Mexico south of the USA-Mexican border.
Is this an example of Speedo diplomacy?
Yes, athletes in various sports have repeatedly demonstrated fundamental friendships among citizens from countries with existing diplomatic differences. Sports can be used for a greater good as people come together with mutual respect in the hopes of resolving issues where they may differ. The Pacific ocean is a great venue to demonstrate how water can unite people from all walks of life despite different beliefs and perspectives.
Is this a protest against the proposed American Wall along the border?
No, above anything else, the swimmers want to raise money for the Colibri Center for Human Rights and help alleviate the suffering of individuals whose family members have died in the desert that exists between northern Mexico and the American Southwest.
Who are the ambassadors?
Kim Chambers is a native of New Zealand who graduated from the University of California Berkeley and works in Silicon Valley as a spokesperson for Corporate Responsibility. She overcame a near amputation of her leg to complete the Oceans Seven, the world's most difficult aquatic challenge. She completed the Dead Sea Swim, an unprecedented cross-border swim as her latest act of Speedo diplomacy.
Antonio Argüelles is a native of Mexico who graduated from Stanford University. He is a highly successful bilingual entrepreneur from Mexico City who has achieved wide-ranging success in the fields of education, technology and aquatics. He has completed multiple triathlons, marathon runs, and the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming (English Channel + Catalina Channel + Manhattan Island Marathon Swim) twice.
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What is the expected legacy of this swim?
To enable the Colibrí Center for Human Rights to continue its work on a larger scale and to inspire swimmers from all walks of life to understand, appreciate and attempt to resolve political, cultural, social differences that may separate them from others.
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Suport team participating in this swim?
Kayakers: Dan Simonelli (USA), Billy Carlson (USA), Matt Donoghue (USA), Haden Ware (USA), Anna Lopez and the Out of the Boat Team (Mexico), Kala Sherman-Presser (USA), Tom Hecker (USA), Kevin Eslinger (USA).
Contact information?
Kim Chambers can be contacted at kim.chambers@gmail.com. Antonio Argüelles can be contacted at +52-155-2045-7103 or email aarguelles@netmexico.com.
To donate or volunteer for the Colibrí Center for Human Rights, visit http://www.colibricenter.org/donate-to-the-colibri-center-for-human-rights/
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