Location:
Kits Pool, Vancouver, BC Canada
What: A 5K swim in Kits Pool. At 8 complete laps to the kilometer, that makes this challenge 20 return laps, or 40 lengths of the world's best pool.
Why: Because you can.
Who: The Whale Shark, the Mako Shark, the Reef Shark and whoever else wants in.
Entry: There is no fee and you don't need to be a member of Club Fat Ass to participate in a Flash event, however whining is not allowed. No registration is required but please indicate your participation via the comment form below. You are responsible for your own well being and safety and should be self sufficient.
History: There is a long-standing history to this event. It is rooted in a grudge match. Some of that history is in the comments below under past taunts.
2010 - Whale Shark and Mako duel it out: 4+4+4+4+4+8+6+4+2 = 40 laps. The Whale prevails. Brown's pub for many hot wings, many fries and a couple of pints to celebrate our sore arms.
2009 - the Whale Shark prevails over Reef and Mako, buys a round at Bridges to celebrate then looses voice after crowing non-stop for next month
2008 - the Whale Shark wins by 1/4 lap. Vancouver shuts down for a whole weekend to celebrate.
2007 - postponed because the pool was closed due to a strike
2006 - the Mako Shark wins! Whale Shark stops 1/2 way for a snooze
Please read the Release of All Claims. By participating in this event you agree to the terms of the Release of All Claims.
Comments
2011 - Thursday 25 August.... a day that will go down in history
as the day when the Mako gets his tail bitten by the mighty Whale Shark!
Great White, Basking, Tiger, Hammerhead and Red-Tiled Black Shark were not present, so the 2011 Duel at the Pool was a true, classic mano-a-mano between the Whale and the Mako.
The day was magnificent: cloudless blue skies, 25C with a gentle onshore breeze. The Mako was characteristically late, the Whale characteristically waiting in the wrong place. The moments leading up to the Duel were tense as the Mako was almost overcome by nausea after having to endure 10 minutes of non-stop verbal diarrhea and trash talk. For the record, neither of the sharks in the competition had the the foresight or presence of mind to pack a camera.
Given that the Whale had been training relentlessly twice-a-day since Kits Pool opened and the Mako was out for his first splash of the season in the world's greatest pool, it was hardly a fair battle. The courageous Mako, however, like a noble samurai facing a gun fight, donned his goggles and jumped in to the cool, partially salted waters to face his fate.
For those unfamiliar with this particular duel of honor, it involves swimming 40 lengths of Kitsilano Pool in Vancouver, BC. The traditional date is sometime in late August on a sunny day and this was to be the 5th annual event.
By the fact that the Mako did not wear battle armor (e.g. a swim wetsuit with lots of bubble wrap in the crotch), or pack food and drink (e.g. a couple cans of Red Bull, a peanut butter sandwich, a few boxes of smarties and an O'Henry bar in case a diversion was required...), it was immediately apparent to the outside observer that the Mako was on a one-way suicide mission.
Things started out well enough, with the duelists going stroke for stroke for the first few laps. The mighty Whale, however, slowly pulled away. By 2-kilometers, the Whale had lapped the Mako (we're not talking kiddie pool here, so that's actually significant!) By 2.5K, the Mako had developed a particularly strong craving for India Pale Ale, so the duelists agreed to call it a day and go for a cool one and eat a lot of appies at the Watermark on Kits Beach.
Another year, another beer... and another year the Mako gets reminded that you've gotta train for these things!
The Prize
I forgot to mention that the Whale got my shoes. Yes, as in the shoes off my feet...