On December 8, 30 competitors from around the world will come together to race in the first ever Bali Swim Run event. They will be running 24km and swimming 2.5km across Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan, two islands just off Bali mainland. Most notably, they will be raising $60,000 in much need funds to upgrade the current recycling facility on Nusa Lembongan. I am one of those 30 and I’d love your support in helping with this project.
In this blog post, I will explain why Nusa Lembongan needs this recycling facility upgrade, what I am doing to contribute to the upgrade and how you can support me on this project! First, let’s start with what the $60,000 is needed for. Then we will get to how we will be raising the money!
Nusa Lembongan is struggling to keep up with the amount of plastic on the island and plastic pollution is only getting worse. The team at the recycling plant are currently collecting 2 tonnes of rubbish per day (this number is constantly rising). Of that rubbish 30% is able to recycle such as plastic bottles. The recycling plant in its current state simply can’t keep up.
NUSA LEMBONGAN RECYCLING PLANT NEEDS
- Additional collection trucks
- Additional equipment
- Increased infrastructure and facilities
- More LOCAL personnel and staff working at the facility
WHAT IS THE AIM OF PROVIDING THE $60,000 USD
The aim of providing the $60,000 in the form of new infrastructure, facilities, personnel and collection trucks is to create a system that is capable of dealing with all trash the island produces (and that washes up on its shore from elsewhere)
The specific items that have been priorities for purchase are:
- 2nd and 3rd collection trucks
- A glass crusher
- More land for composting
- A second-hand boat for transporting recycled material to the mainland for sale.
HOW IS THE MONEY BEING RAISED
Bali Hope Foundation has organized a Swim Run event. This Nordic event involves swimming and running in continual segments without taking off your swim cap, shoes or gear. It’s pretty extreme. I’m not exactly sure how I wound up as a competitor having never done any swimming before but here we are and I am taking on the challenge.
Below you can see the route we will take across Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan Island. *It would have been epic to run down Kelingking Beach but I’ll save that for after the event! To make things even more interesting, I will be tied to my partner, Josh Lynott, by a 5m rope throughout the entire event.
30 competitors from around the world are coming to Nusa Lembongan for the swim run. The founder of Otillo Swim Run, the women’s world champs and the #1 Indonesia triathlete are just a few of the competitors so it will be a quality field. Each competitor is raising at least $2000.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The event is costing up to $20,000 to run including 5 days of accommodation, meals, transport, logistics etc. Events are very difficult to run and for the size and scale, this is quite a low amount as anyone in events management will know. The team has worked tirelessly to collaborate with local hotels and businesses to keep this figure low.
The additional $60,000 goes directly to the Nusa Lembongan Recycling Facility upgrade. That is as transparent as I can get. The team is raising 80k and the recycling facility receives $60,000 worth of upgrades, facilities, and equipment.
I personally know the organizers of this event and can guarantee you that they have put blood, sweat, and tears into this project. This is an awesome idea and a model that is feasible for the future. I am sure it will be replicated in different shapes and sizes across the world.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT ME?
It doesn’t matter if I finish last or first (unlikely). I’m part of this project to help Nusa Lembongan upgrade their recycling facility.
However, I have always been competitive and I always will be. I am training like a pro out here in the Philippines, logging kilometers in the ocean and on the roads like crazy. That is just a personal challenge and to see how far I can push myself.
I do need to raise $2000 USD to contribute to the overall goal of $60,000 USD. If you would like to support me you can donate by clicking the button below. I am so appreciative of any support whether it be a donation, a comment or a social media share.
Thanks to all of you guys for reading this far and considering supporting this campaign!
