Mangaluru is set to host the second edition of the national-level sea swimming competition, DenDen Swim 2.0, organized by the Mangalore Surf Club (MSC) on January 26. Centered around the historic DenDen shipwreck, the event combines sport and tourism, drawing attention to coastal Karnataka’s open-water potential.
The DenDen ship, a dry cargo vessel, sank near the Mangaluru coast in 2007 and has since become a hotspot for surf enthusiasts, sea swimmers, and tourists. The competition aims to promote sea safety awareness and instill trust in open-water swimming through an elite team of lifeguards.
Contest director Rishabhraj Shetty revealed a significant rise in participation, with 214 registrations this year—more than double last year’s numbers. The event features seven individual categories catering to swimmers born before 2014, along with a 250-meter fun swim for children born after 2015. Expert swimmers will compete in 3 km (two rounds) and 6 km (four rounds) races, circling the 1.5 km course around the shipwreck.
Mithun Bhat Kakunje, former MSC President, emphasized the event’s role in establishing Mangaluru as a prime destination for open-water sports while showcasing the region’s tourism appeal.
Participants will receive certificates and finisher medals, with mandatory tow floats for safety. Lifeguards stationed on boats and paddleboards will ensure swimmer safety along the course, said Chirag Shambu, MSC President, and lifeguard Yash Sinojia.
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