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Wednesday 7 november 2018

Crossing for hope

SAVANETA — On Sunday November 11th, 2018, the National Collegiate Athletic Association face such challenge. Since little he suffered
five athletes from the Aruba Dolphins Swimming (NCAA) Championships in Atlanta and Missouri. from asthma and his mother saw swimming as

Club will swim from Venezuela to Aruba and all Davy has been training hard to improve his a tool for helping his condition. He took part of
for a good cause called “Crossing for Hope.” condition for this challenge since June of 2017. his first competition when he was only 6 years
old. He has been swimming since then and
Davie Bisslik, Romar Arendsz, Deaxo Croes, Wendy Kock is the nowadays he takes part in triathlon competi-
Stephan Thijsen and the only lady among them, only lady swim- tions. Romar took part to the competition of
Wendy Kock, will be taking the challenge of mer taking part Iron Man where he fisnished it in 12 hours. He
swimming from Piedra Negras, Falcon State of this challenge. also ran 75 kilometers all by himself during the
in Venezuela to Savaneta, Aruba. This is a dis- She is 41 years old, annual event “Ronde van Aruba.” He is very
tance of 28.5 kilometers under the guidance of married to Andy strong mentally and feels this is the time and
Roly Bisslik who took this challenge back in 1988. Kock and has 2 he is ready for this challenge. Romar wants to
This is an ambitious initiative by 5 talented Aru- children. She is a make people aware that no medical condi-
ban swimmers_all with hearts of gold _with the swimming instruc- tion should be a burden for you to give up on
purpose of collecting funds and raise aware- tor and has been anything you want. “Just believe in yourself that
ness for Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds – a non- providing swim les- you can do it and go for it no matter what. The
profit organization that offers support to cancer sons to schools all mind is more powerful than the body.”
patients and works for the prevention of this un- over Aruba 2002.
fortunate disease. Wendy has a solid goal for this challenge. “As Stephan Thijsen is
This event will take place at 7 AM on Sunday No- soon as I dive into the water I am going to 22 years old and is
vember 11th, 2018. It is estimated the swim will reach my goal, even if it takes me 8 or 10 hours the youngest ath-
take between 9 and 12 hours of swimming with I will reach”. Wendy has been swimming since lete among the
the first swimmer estimated to reach Zeerovers she was little. Her first competition was when group. Stephan
in Savaneta, Aruba at 3 PM. This will continue she was only 8 years old. She has won 6 gold grew up hearing
until all 5 swimmers have arrived safely. This medals in which she set new records. Wendy the story of Roly
event also brings the community together for never stopped swimming. Even now with her Bisslik and had al-
such a historical moment in the sports annals of 2 grown up children they still love training to- ways had the cu-
Aruba, and relives the challenge of 1988. gether. Wendy started intense training for this riosity and always
challenge in February of 2018. wanted to do
The event in Savaneta will begin at 11 AM until 6 something great
PM. While you wait for the arrival of the athletes, Deaxo Croes is like this. Stephan
you can enjoy many activities and mingle with an example for has been swim-
locals. A Great ambience, some good food those who think ming for 12 years
and lots of drinks will be available on the differ- you need to prac- now and has won several medals in different
ent food trucks. There will be activities for kids of tice a sport since categories. He has been training for this chal-
all ages. young in order to lenge since September of 2017. Like the others,
Music will be provided by Rincon Boys, Grupo di succeed. He has he has been eating healthy, preparing himself
Betico, Gaita Los Paranderos and Tsunami. You such motivation mentally and physically and is ready and excit-
can buy souvenirs such as T-shirt, water bottles, and dedication to- ed to be part of this challenge.
wristbands commemorating this event. It’s a wards this goal. He
day for the whole family to enjoy and at the takes his training Roly Bisslik- In 1975
same time to support a great cause. very seriously. He is Aruba’s swimming
38 years old. Since legend Roly Biss-
Davy Bisslik is the young Deaxo felt a strong connection with the lik started a swim-
son of the legend- ocean. He started bodyboarding and after- ming team with
ary Roly Bisslik. He wards started free diving. Swimming was just to a few friends and
was only 6 years compliment his sport. Just 4 years ago he start- family members.
old when his father ed experimenting in long distance swimming, Back then, the
swam from Ven- and more-and-more focused only on swimming workouts were
ezuela to Aruba. since then. Deaxo is determined to reach Aru- done from the
Since young, Davy ba with his head up high and say, “I made it”. shore of the Com-
had his mind set to mandeurs Bay in
someday repeat Romar Arendsz is Savaneta where a
what his father did an athlete who few hand painted
back in 1988. Now_ started swimming lines on the rocks
30-years later_he is since he was little. marked the 25, 50 and 100 meters.
mentally prepared He is a teacher of It was always his dream to build an Olym-
and mature enough to fulfill his goal. His wife, movement and pic Pool in his hometown of Savaneta.
Melendy, supports him 100% through this jour- health. He is 38 His dream became a reality when, on August 7,
ney. Davy has been swimming since he was years old and has 1988, he swam for a little bit more than 10 hours
4 years old. Between the ages of 16 to 22, he a long history as a distance of about 28.4 km from the northern
took part in international competitions and the an athlete in swim- shore of Venezuela to Aruba in a very treacherous
Olympic Games. He studied at the College of ming, cycling and waters as a fundraising event for his swim team.
New Jersey (TCNJ) and was a member of the running. Romar has
swimming team, where he also qualified for been prepared to Continued on Page 14