Project Summary

INTRODUCTION

Up-and-coming open water swimmer, Chelsea Ning Lee, is committed towards her aim in challenging herself to be the first and youngest Malaysian ever to swim in the longest non-stop open water marathon, representing Malaysia in Le Flow Des Gabarriers held in France on 3^rd of June 2023. The longest open water marathon, in a river spanning at the distance of 33 kilometres in length, crosses 12 villages between the towns of Châteaueuf-Sur-Charente and Cognac, in the Charente region of France.

 

CAMPAIGN MISSION

★  To be the first and youngest Malaysian female open water swimmer to represent the country and take part in the longest nonstop open water marathon internationally.

★ To strive on bringing back a medal for Malaysia as a winner.

CAMPAIGN VISION

To create exposure on open water swimming to all aspiring Malaysian swimmers, and to make Malaysia proud on an international level in the Youth and Sports sector.

 

 

A BRIEF ON OPEN WATER SWIMMING (OWS)

Open water swimming, also known as OWS in short, or ‘wild swimming’,  is a swimming discipline which takes place outdoors such as open oceans, lakes and rivers. Open water swimming is usually part of triathlon and marathon swims, and requires a lot of confidence, endurance, stamina and adaptability when taking part in this sport.

 

In comparison to swimming in the pool, open water swimming is very different as swimmers are required to adapt to their surroundings and constantly switching their strokes, depending on the conditions – for example, a change of current or being hit by the waves when swimming beside another person. 

 

Professional open water swimming dates back thousands of years, with the first organized races held in Japan at around 36 BCE. In year 1810, famed romantic poet and politician Lord Byron is credited as the person who started modern open water swimming, as he swam across the Dardanelles (then known as Hellespont) from Europe to Asia. Then in 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim the English Channel by completing the swim in 22 hours. Then came the Olympic Games in 1896, whereby all swimming events took place in the open waters up till 1908, and was replaced by swimming pools. It wasn't until year 2000 when open water swimming was picked up again and returned to the Olympics for the triathlon event in Sydney, Australia.

 

Open water swimming is a sport that has been growing rapidly in Malaysia since 2017 with the Asian Open Water Swimming Championship and SEA Games.

 

 

MEET THE ATHLETE

 

Name         : Chelsea Lee Ning

Age            : 19

Nationality  : Malaysian

Occupation : Student-Athlete

Team          : NeptuneX 113

Position      : Team Captain

 

 

 

ACHIEVEMENTS & PAST EVENTS

 

SILVER MEDALIST – 1^st South East Asian Open Water Swimming Championship 2023

 

REPRESENTED MALAYSIA – 10km FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, Seychelles 2022

 

CHAMPION – Malaysia National “Open Water Swimming” Championship 2019

 

CHAMPION – Malaysia Open Water Swim Series (5km), Port Dickson 2019

 

OVERALL CHAMPION – Malaysia Open Water Swim Series

 

CAMPAIGN TIMELINE

 

 

CAMPAIGN EXPENSES

NO.	DESCRIPTION	UNIT	UNIT AMOUNT	TOTAL AMOUNT
1.	Le Flow De Gabarriers 2023 Participation Fee For 33KMS Solo	1 PAX	€ 89	RM 419
2.	Return Flights From KUL > CDG > KUL	2 PAX	RM 9 500	RM 19 000
3.	Accommodation	2 ROOMS / 6 DAYS	RM 350 PER ROOM / NIGHT	RM 4 200
4.	Travel Insurance	2 PAX	RM 300	RM 600
5.	Kayak & Kayakist Hire Fees	1 PAX	RM 800	RM 800
6.	Team Sports T-Shirt (customized)	1 BOX	RM 1 000	RM 1 000
7.	Food & Beverages	2 PAX	RM 690.50	RM 1 381
8.	Ground Transportation – Return Train From Paris > Cognac > Paris	2 PAX	RM 1 200	RM 2 400
9.	Ground Transportation – Return Transfer From Airport > Hotel > Airport	2 PAX	RM 1 600	RM 3 200
			GRAND TOTAL	RM 33 000

 

Your generous contributions will be spent to reduce the cost wherever possible and eliminating financial barriers. This in turn will also help Chelsea Lee focus better on her training, and to be well-prepared to make Malaysia proud by achieving fantastic results at Le Flow Des Gabarriers 2023.

 

Any extra funds collected from this campaign will be donated to our swimming sponsorship foundation. Thank you.