TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A record 1,600 swimmers participated in the Cross Penghu Bay Swim on Sunday (June 30), per UDN.

The Cross Penghu Bay Swim took place at 6:00 a.m. and 7:20 a.m., with Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu (陳光復) and other dignitaries like Taipei City Department of Sports Commissioner Wang Hung-shiang (王泓翔) presiding over the race. After a whistle was blown, swimmers rushed into the water.

The most difficult category, the 5,000-meter challenge, was won by a pair of swimmers from Kaohsiung, Tsai Yao-yu (蔡曜宇) in the men’s category with a time of 1:34:09, and Kuo Jia-chi (郭家齊) in the women’s category with a time of 1:34:35. Kuo was named champion for the second time, while Tsai, who was the 2,000-meter champion last year, proved himself at a longer distance this year, per CNA.

Song Chih-gang (宋志剛), from Taipei, won the 5,000-meter stand-up paddleboard (SUP) competition with a total time of 46 minutes and 27 seconds. Song said the current in the bay was flowing northward, posing a challenge to both swimmers and paddleboarders, though he was happy with the final result.

This weekend’s swim marks the 22nd edition of the event, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Penghu County officials annually organize the swim to bring tourists to the islands, highlighting several offshore activities visitors can enjoy.

In addition to swimming and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the bay, the Guanyin Temple Recreation Area also hosted an outdoor carnival for participants, offering fried foods, brown sugar cakes, and various teas. Penghu County Government hoped all visitors could sample some of Penghu’s local specialties, creating a wonderful memory they will treasure forever.