it was more than a stroke of luck that met the citys swimming enthusiasts hard work and training also paid off as they won accolades at the open water swimming competition which was held off gateway of india recently the event was an initiative towards mission olympics 2020 as open water swimming is now an olympic sport sunshine and waterreadying to take the plungereadying to take the plungekicking off at 9 am there were participants in six categories five for experienced sea swimmers and one a 2km swim for firsttimers they took off from sunk rock to gateway says mayank vyas of a foundation that promotes swimming in the city mumbais open water swimmers can do very well in the open sea swimming category they just need encouragement and a good platform i think more people must come forward for such events at locations across the country sea swimming as a physical activity and a potential medalwinning sportevery time you get into the sea it offers a new challengethe sea poses its own challengesswimming in the sea isnt easy income tax employee and vile parle resident shweta mhatre won in the 2640 age category having taken part in the englandfrance sea relay she says i am regular swimmer and my day is divided into work and practice i had experienced sea swimming in a few events from moragateway 14 km and rewasgateway 24 km but every time you get into the sea it offers a new challenge for instance if the tide changes it takes longer to swim we also come across fish and if its jellyfish it stings hard we put on grease so that bigger fish dont come near us its not easy you are on edge in the water all the time she reveals for sybcom student of elphinstone college and firsttime sea swimmer abhijit pevekar adds i did the 2km distance as it was a new experience and i completed it in 27 minutes 25 should be enough but the underwater current was against me swimming in the open sea was my dream and it feels great to have achieved it being in the open sea is scary too but once you start swimming you lose all fear and just move with the flow also we wore a tracing chip for safety so that was good i feel more mumbaikars should take up this sport once you have permissions and pool practice you can learn in the sea