"The United Nations General Assembly resolution marks March 22 as World Water Day - an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the water-problems of the world. In Hungary, WWD 2008 events are being organized under the “Water, Health, Life” slogan („Víz, Egészség, Élet”).The “12-hour Swim For Water” non-profit event organized in Kecskemet is intended to draw attention to the importance of waters and water habitats in Bacs-Kiskun County.
Lack of water in the Kiskunsag region is an increasing concern for humans and the environment alike. While in the 1900s the region was characterized by expansive lakes, wetlands, and marshes, these have decreased significantly by now. This desertification is a great environmental concern, because the water habitats give home to a great number of protected and highly protected species. Disappearance of these habitats leads to biodiversity loss in the Kiskunsag. Protecting the water habitats is our moral responsibility towards the coming generations.
Kiskunsag National Park Directorate and the Puszta.com travel portal join efforts in establishing a World Water Day tradition in Kecskemet, Hungary.
The “12-hour Swim For Water” will take place on March 29, 2008, at the local Swimming Pool (Kecskemét, Izsáki u. 2), between 8.00 AM and 8.00 PM, under the patronage of Dr. Vajna Tamásné, director of Kiskunsag National Park Directorate.
The “12-hour Swim For Water” takes a maximum of 16 entries from student swim teams of at least 12 people. Registration fee is 500 HUF/person, for which the organizers will offer T-shirts with the event’s logo to the members of the team.
The team covering the most distance during the 12-hour swim will receive
an all-inclusive weekend stay at one of Kiskunsag National Park’s field schools.
For more information call Iren Bencze, +36-70-367-4767.
Registration deadline: March 20, 2008.
Along with the 12-hour swim, environmental lectures, documentaries, quizzes and contests will entertain and inform swimmers and visitors alike.
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
6.30.- 7.30. Arrivals
7.30-7.55. Opening ceremony
8.00 START
8.20 Tug of war in the small pool
9.15 Environmental quiz for the swim teams
10.20 Screening of environmental documentaries
11. 20 Pizza eating contest
11.40 Screening of environmental documentaries
12.20 Hungary’s National Parks quiz for the swim teams
13.20 Diving demo
14.10 Halftime results
14.20 Environmental quiz for the swim teams
15.20 Firefighter demo (In case of bad weather, competitions indoors)
16. 20 Pizza eating contest
17.40 Competitions for the swim teams
18.20 What can we do for water?
19.10-20.00 LAST STROKES
20.15 Final results and closing ceremony
Proceeds of the event go to the local Foundation For Disabled Children Who Can Swim "
Source: Puszta.com
27.03.2008