The participants alternated about every thirty minutes. Via the Reitdiep they swam towards the center of Groningen, where they eventually reached the Oosterhaven as the second team, of the 27 teams.
“It is a competition that is not a competition, but at some point we had a taste for it,” said De Jong.
The team showed that fanaticism and pleasure can go well together. “We sat together in the same boat for ten hours, literally, and still being able to laugh, that says everything.”
A special moment took place at the Dorkwerd lock. One of the students was the last to jump in the water, but managed to make up for all other swimmers within forty minutes. “We thought ‘fine dude’, but he just did it. The amount of encouragement on the side was also fantastic. Teachers, family, friends and even strangers were cheering.”
The participants look back on a sporting and meaningful day. “This experience summarizes everything together, sportiness and social involvement. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved as a team. We will never forget this again.”