Cruce a Nado Internacional is a yearly international swimmingcompetition that takes place at Bahía de Ponce in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is the oldest open water swimming event in the Caribbean.[9] The event generally occurs on the first Sunday of September, to coincide with the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend every year. The event is sponsored by Club Cruce a Nado, Inc.[10] Some 100 athletes compete,[11] swimming 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) nautical miles.[12] The event started in 1980. The 2020 season's event did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[13] but its 40th season took place on 5 September 2021 instead.[14]
The competition started in 1980[15] under the sponsorship of the Ponce Municipal Government.[16] It has gained popularity every year with a greater number of athletes participating from an equally greater number of countries. In 2008, 16 countries were represented.[17] The competition abides by the rules of the Federación Internacional de Natación (FINA) (International Swimming Federation) and the approval of the Federación Puertorriqueña de Natación (FPN) (Puerto Rican Swimming Federation).[18] Countries that have competed in the past include Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá, Puerto Rico, United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela.[19][20][21] The competition originally included local Puerto Rican swimmers only, but after two years, it was opened to foreign nationals as well.[citation needed]
It is a common practice to dedicate the event to athletes who have made outstanding accomplishments in the sport. On 4 September 2011, the 30th annual competition was dedicated to Orlando Fernández, a.k.a. "The Puerto Rican Aquaman", the first Puerto Rican to swim across the Strait of Gibraltar, in recognition of his accomplishments.[22]
Venue
The competition consists of crossing the Bay of Ponce from Cardona Island, which is situated about 1.5 nautical miles[23] from mainland's Puerto Rico southern shores in Ponce, to the southern shore of Puerto Rico at Ponce.[24] The entire event starts on the Thursday before the Sunday of the competitions with music, shows and traditional foods.[25] The Ponce Municipal Government contributes $20,000 to the costs of celebrating the event.[26]
Procedure
Athletes are taken by boat to Isla Cardona which is located just 1.5 nautical miles from the mainland. At the sound of the whistle, athletes then swim the 2,800 meters - 1.5 nautical miles - across the bay towards sector El Malecón in Playa de Ponce.[27] Athletes arrive at Parque Enrique González[28] in Playa de Ponce, which is located across from the U.S. Customs House and has an area with steps that lead down to the bay waters.[29] The first athlete to arrive is the winner. First place, second place, and third place awards are given. The Mayor of Ponce awaits athletes at El Malecon's finish line to bestow medals, prizes and other awards on the winners.[30]
Beyond the two main competitive divisions based on gender (Men's and Women's), the 2009 event consisted of two categories: "Categoria Abierta", open to those between ages 13 and 25; and "Categoria Masters", open to those over 26 years of age.[31] The 2011 edition also had the "Over 56+" category for those 56 years old and older.[32]
Winners
As an added bonus and incentive to the first Puerto Rican who makes it to the finish line, in 2008 the municipality added the "Copa Héctor Pérez" (Spanish for Héctor Pérez Cup), which is given to the athlete with those qualities and merit. In 2008, it went to Nathaniel Ramos. Héctor Pérez Torres, born in Playa de Ponce, is a sportsman and community leader, and has been organizing the Cruce a Nado Internacional event.[33]
2005 (25th Competition)
As reported by Panama's La Prensa, here is the list of winners.[34]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Manuel Chiu Pérez
Mexico
1:02.02
2
Rolando Salas
Venezuela
1:02.15
3
John Kerry
United States
1:02.27
2009 (29th Competition)
As reported by the La Regata: el Periodico Nautico de Puerto Rico newsweekly, here is the list of winners.[35][36]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Christian Bayo
Puerto Rico
37.06.00
2
Miguel A. Davila
Colombia
37.06.10
3
Víctor Manuel Muñoz
Dominican Republic
39.09.10
Women's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Maria G. Muñoz
Guatemala
42.34.12
2
Zuliemarie Hornedo
Puerto Rico
42.34.45
3
Betsmara Cruz
Puerto Rico
43.27.10
56+ Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Giampiero Rosati
Unknown
01:26.10.00
2010 (30th Competition)
Here are the 2010 Men's and Women's winners:[citation needed]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Marcos Lavado
Venezuela
35.37
2
Álvaro Lozano
Venezuela
35:48
3
José Sánchez
Ecuador
38.21
Women's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Karla Díaz
Venezuela
38:43
2
Florencia Melo
Venezuela
38:44
3
Cartha Rodríguez
Puerto Rico
41.27
2011 (31st Competition)
As reported by "El Sur a la Vista", here are the 2011 winners in each of the three divisions.[37]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Marcos Lavado
Venezuela
34:08
2
Alvaro Lozano
Venezuela
34:11
3
Nathaniel Ramos
Puerto Rico
34:21
Women's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Carla Díaz
Venezuela
37:40
2
Florencia Melo
Venezuela
37:40
3
María Gabriela Muñoz
Guatemala
37:45
4
Betsmara Cruz
Puerto Rico
38:23
56+ Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Eduardo Mayol
Unknown
48:46
2012 (32nd Competition)
As reported by "La Perla del Sur", here are the 2012 winners.[38]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Marcos Lavado
Venezuela
33:19.07
2
Alvaro Lozano
Venezuela
33:21.20
3
Not Available
N/A
N/A
2013 (33rd Competition)
As reported by La Perla del Sur newsweekly, here is the list of winners.[39]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Iván Enderica
Ecuador
35.30
2
Alvaro Lozano
Venezuela
36:27
3
Isaías Vázquez Tavera
Colombia
36:29
Women's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Cindy C. Toscano
Guatemala
41:36
2
Paula Montoy
Colombia
41:53
3
Eliana Disla Pascual
República Dominicana
41:52
Puerto Rican Men's Swimmers awards
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Víctor D. Gaud
Puerto Rico
36:38
2
Jean Carlos Pantojas
Puerto Rico
37:28
3
Calvin Ayala Velázquez
Puerto Rico
37:37
4
Ricardo Miranda
Puerto Rico
37:49
Puerto Rican Women's Swimmers awards
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Gabriela M. Oquendo
Puerto Rico
43:13
2014 (34th Competition)
As reported by La Perla del Sur newsweekly, here is the list of winners.[40]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Isaias Vazquez
Colombia
37:36.04
2
Miguel Portes
Dominican Republic
37:36.05
3
Nathaniel Ramos
Puerto Rico
39:20.09
4
Walter Caballero
Bolivia
40:09.83
Women's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Eliana Disla Pascual
Dominican Republic
43:12.25
2
Zuleimarie Hornedo
Puerto Rico
44:22.43
3
Laura Figueroa
Puerto Rico
46:00.79
4
Paula Montoya
Colombia
46:31.16
Puerto Rican Men's Swimmers awards
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Nathaniel Ramos
Puerto Rico
39:20.09
2
Victor Gaud
Puerto Rico
40:14.60
3
Calvin Ayala
Puerto Rico
40:19.87
Puerto Rican Women's Swimmers awards
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Zuleimarie Hornedo
Puerto Rico
44:22.43
2
Laura Figueroa
Puerto Rico
46:00.79
3
Maria Victoria Burgos
Puerto Rico
47:32.38
2015 (35th Competition)
As reported by DeportivAPP[41] and Agenda56[42] here is the list of winners.
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Miguel Portes
Dominican Republic
35:20.60
1
Isaías Taveras
Colombia
unknown
2016 (36th Competition)
As reported by DeportivAPP, here is the list of winners.[43]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Miguel Portes
Dominican Republic
39:22
2017 (37th Competition)
As reported by 1968: Noticias de Natación de Venezuela y el Mundo, here is the list of winners.[44]
Men's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Jesus Roso
Venezuela
34:31
2
Edgar Aguiar
Venezuela
unk
3
Jowie Gadea
Puerto Rico
unk
Women's Division
Pos.
Name
Country
Time
1
Karelis Clemant Materano
Venezuela
39:17
2
Fátima Flores
El Salvador
unk
3
Cindy Toscano
Guatemala
unk
2018 (38th Competition)
The 38th Competition is scheduled to take place on 2 September 2018.[45][46]
2020
The 2020 edition did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[47]
2021 (40th Competition)
The 40th Competition was scheduled to take place on 5 September 2021.[48]
↑Regresa el Cruce a Nado Internacional. Junior Lugo Marrero. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1522. Page 53. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
↑Neysa Rodriguez Deynes. Brevario Sobre la Historia de Ponce. Second Edition. Government of the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce. 2002. Page 13. Printed by Impress Quality Printing, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
↑Regresa el Cruce a Nado Internacional. Junior Lugo Marrero. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1522. Page 53. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
↑Regresa el Cruce a Nado Internacional. Junior Lugo Marrero. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1522. Page 53. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
↑La Playa de Ponce celebra el Cruce a Nado.Archived 2013-10-02 at the Wayback Machine Raquel Torres Arzola. La Regata: el Periodico Nautico de Puerto Rico. Editorial La Regata, Inc. Caguas, Puerto Rico. Year 12. Number 8. Page 3. 29 October-2 November 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
↑La Playa de Ponce celebra el Cruce a Nado. Raquel Torres Arzola. La Regata: el Periodico Nautico de Puerto Rico. Editorial La Regata, Inc. Caguas, Puerto Rico. Year 12. Number 8. Page 3. 29 October-2 November 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
↑Regresa el Cruce a Nado Internacional. Junior Lugo Marrero. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1522. Page 53. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
↑Ecuatoriano gana el Cruce a Nado. Junior Lugo Marrero. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 31. Issue 1554. Page 52. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.