Overview:
Thirteen members of the Palau National Swim Team recently joined students from Taiwan’s Central Police University Department of Maritime Police for a friendly swimming and rescue-skills exchange, securing five wins across six competitive matches.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau – Thirteen members of the Palau National Swim Team competed with students from Taiwan’s Central Police University Department of Maritime Police in a friendly swimming exchange Oct. 8, winning five of six matches, according to Elaine of the Taiwan Embassy.
The program included two spirited 500-meter relay races. Palau won the first, a matchup between the Palau National Swim Team and the Taiwan students. For the second race, swimmers from both sides were divided into two combined teams. Elaine said the contest remained close from start to finish.
“We had six matches in total, and Palau won five of them!” she said. “But every match was really competitive and exciting. It definitely shows how well pickleball has developed in Palau!”
The exchange also included a practical demonstration of rescue skills. The maritime police students showed participants how to perform unassisted rescue towing, then divided them into groups to practice the technique.
Deputy Director-General Hsu Ching-chih of Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration presented certificates of participation and gifts to members of the Palau National Swim Team at the close of the event.
Elaine said the competition highlighted the swimmers’ involvement and the excitement of the matches. She also praised government officials for supporting sports and encouraging people to remain active.
“It’s also great to see government officials actively promoting sports and encouraging people to stay active!” she said.
Organizers prepared new pickleballs as prizes, with the aim of encouraging participants to continue playing after the tournament.
“We also prepared brand-new pickleballs as prizes, hoping to encourage everyone to keep playing and stay active even after the tournament!” Elaine said.
The event combined athletic competition with hands-on instruction, bringing the Palauan swimmers and Taiwanese maritime police students together in the pool and in rescue-skills practice. Elaine’s remarks described an exchange marked by close races, participation from both groups and an effort to encourage continued activity.