Samui island Marathon, 18th September 2011

Samui island Marathon, 18th September 2011

The second edition of the Samui island marathon 2011 is scheduled on 18th September 2011 at Nathon.

Samui Island Marathon 2011

Last years event was the first organised run I ever participated in, so I would love to be able to participate this year but with my current hectic schedule, I'm not sure if I can make it or even will be on Samui come 18th September.

This years route

If I can make it, there won't be much more in it that a quarter marathon. There will be just not enough time to prepare for a half marathon, like the Phuket Laguna half marathon that I ran earlier this year.

Anyway, hope to see you there, I will really enjoy it if I can make it but that shouldn't stop you from participating or cheering on!

Camille

Laguna Phuket International Marathon; Race day

The run for Ocean Protection during the Laguna Phuket marathon

It's done and over with. Pffffffffffff. After having competed in so many races over the years, cycling during my younger days and running fairly recently, it always amazes me how nervous one can get before the start of a race! But it's all good now and the race is in the bag with a good time for me, 2 hours and 4 minutes over 20.09km. I was aiming for a time between 2 hours and 2:15, so not bad at all.

From left to right, Rob Scammell (PADI Examiner) who was the inspiration for getting Project Aware involved, Lizzy, Mia, Cait and myself, last night at the registration.

Last night I met up with Mia and her two friends Lizzy and Cait from Singapore. They ran together with me under the Project Aware banner and Mia raised around 1.000,-USD for Ocean protection. Thanks a lot Mia, hat's off and I hope you enjoyed your race!

I raised 500,-AUD and 7.000,-THB so far, if anyone feels compelled to donate, please feel free and get in touch with me. 5.-000,-THB was donated by The Dive Academy and 2.000,-THB by Infinity Divers, both on Koh Samui and Stuart Hurley who completed his IDC with me in October 2007.

5:30am, half an hour to go before the start, still looking fresh

The race was well organised and I'm looking forward to a next challenge, providing my busy IDC schedule this year will let me. The next running event scheduled for me is on 8th October 2011 in Bangkok, a midnight 12km run on Sukhumvit Road! That sounds like a lot of fun.

Moments after I passed the finish line, relieved, satisfied and knackered!

The participants medal of this years edition of the Laguna Phuket International Marathon with around 5.000 participants coming from 45 countries

Signs along the marathon course in Phuket

I hope I can make it to next years edition, I'm looking forward it!

First stop now however is Gili Air in Indonesia for an IDC, starting 16th June!

Camille

Queen's Cup, Samui Golf Tournament, 16th-19th June, 2011

Queen's Cup, Samui Golf Tournament, 16th-19th June, 2011

Later this week, for the second conseuctive year in a row, the Queen's Cup Golf tournament will visit Koh Samui between 16th and 19th June at the Santiburi Samui Country Club, part of the Santiburi hotel.

Due to Bangkok Airways’ success in organizing Bangkok Airways Open – Asian Tour for 4 years consecutively, The Sports Authority of Thailand decided to cooperate with Bangkok Airways to organize Queen’s Cup Samui Golf Tournament- Asian Tour for the first time on Koh Samui in August 2009.

Continuing from last year’s successful debut, Queen’s Cup Samui Golf Tournament – Asian Tour makes it return for a second consecutive year in June 16-19 , 2011 at the Santiburi Samui Country Club. The total prize is valued at $300,000 USD.

The Asian Tour offers 30 tournaments with total prize money worth over $37 million USD. As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognized pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status.

Bangkok Airways in cooperation with the Sport Authority to Thailand invites you to witness your favourite golf pros swing out on Samui at the;

QUEEN'S CUP BANGKOK AIRWAYS-SAT SAMUI GOLF TOURNAMENT 2011 for a prize of US$300,000.

If golf is your thing, you might to make your way over to the Maenam hills this week.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 12th June, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is cloudy this morning with a current temp at 7am of 26.5C

Yesterday saw plenty of rain around Samui. Max temp reached 33C

At 5.30am this morning, sleepy head is about to run a half marathon

Meanwhile back at the race track on Phuket, it's cloudy today, which suited me just fine for my first official half marathon that I participated in! Current temp at 10 am is 30.2C

I completed my first half marathon in 2hours and 4 minutes, not bad for a first attempt and very close to my expected time.

Yesterday saw a mixed bag of little bursts of sunshine, plenty of cloud cover and an occasional shower with a max temp of 32.3C.

Camille

Laguna Phuket International Marathon registration

Laguna Phuket International Marathon registration

Yesterday the whole family arrived nice and early in Phuket and after we checked in to our hotel and had a swim in the pool, it was time to head down and try to find the Laguna hotel and complete the registration process by picking up my BIB (race number) and timing chip.

The start and finish area

After trying pretty hard to get lost we did manage to find the Laguna resort after all and the registration process could be completed. It looked all very professional I must say.

My race number, probably not the number to look out for and expect in front but any cheering will be appreciated along the route

The expo marquee where the registration took place

Signing the waiver (it could be diving!) with the whole hungry and tired family looking over my shoulder

The shirt provided by the race organisers

My own shirt, apparently it's 'not done' to use the events shirt during a race

It's still not late to sponsor my cause, I use this marathon as a fund raiser for Project Aware, a non profit dive environmental organization; I run for Ocean protection. Please get in touch if you would like to donate or use the donation button on this page, top left side of the page. Thanks!

Now it's off to Central Festival for some serious shopping time with the family.

Camille

Laguna Phuket International Marathon coming up soon; 12th June 2011

Laguna Phuket International Marathon coming up soon; 12th June 2011

In preparation for this event, I ran a training half marathon this morning, getting as close as possible to the real deal!

I woke up at 4.45am this morning, had my breakfast early and started running at 6am, the same time the Phuket Half Marathon will start, since this is the distance I will be participating in.

I ran 21.5 km in 2 hours, 20 minutes and 45 seconds, on a very hilly course and this is about 10 minutes faster than I expected. The weather over Samui this morning was just about perfect, cloudy but dry without sunshine, just how I like for running!

Finishing during the Samui Care for Cancer run, earlier this year

My run is also a fund raiser for Ocean Protection as part of the Project Aware foundation. Donations are more than welcome and if you want to join in any of the mentioned distances, feel free to join me.

Camille

Samui Regatta Samui 2011; May 30th - June 4th

Samui Regatta 2011; May 30th - June 4th

It's that time of the year again and the Samui Regatta is about to kick off for the 10th edition on Koh Samui!

One of Asia's biggest regatta's and the final of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix, this event has grown to attract the best yachts in Asia and a large spectator following who come for great sailing, great parties and many other events that occur during one incredible week each year.

The regatta was founded in 2001. Starting with just 11 boats the event grew every year with an extensive number of beach cats making up much of the fleet.

By the 3rd year the regatta had achieved International status and was beginning to attract a number of boats from overseas including Hong Kong, Singapore and even Australia.

The regatta continued to grow and cemented its importance to the Asian yachting scene by being
the last regatta in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix series.
After 8 races in 5 countries this means that the overall grand prix results often come down to how well yachts perform in Samui.

The regatta was purchased in late 2007 and management of the regatta was outsourced to
professional Bangkok based event organizers MobyElite, ensuring a bright future and the ensuing growth of the regatta.

This future was further cemented when island based business Web Sawadee came on as a principle partner for 3 years allowing us to further raise the profile of the event.

Numbers:

- In 2008 there were over 300 participants from over 20 countries.
- The event generated over 13 million bahts worth of media coverage.
- It generated nearly 100 million baht for the Thai economy

- In 2009 there were 350 participants
- Then event generated over 30 million bahts worth of media coverage.
- It generated approximately 250 million baht for the Thai economy.

Objectives

The Regatta has 3 key objectives;

1. Increase tourists to the island of Koh Samui.
2. Increase awareness and participation in Sailing in Asia.
3. Support youth education and sporting activities on the island.

It aims to do this through actively increasing the value we offer to all key stakeholders. Participants, Spectators, Media, Sponsors and the Community.

Enjoy!

Camille

Koh Samui Taekwondo championships

Koh Samui Taekwondo championships

Today the 2nd Koh Samui Taekwondo championships are being held in Nathon, opposite the Seatran pier. As posted on 24th February, our son has taken up this sport and after gaining his yellow band a week or two ago, today was going to see his first fight.

In almost three months time he learned a lot but it looks like he still doesn't really understand the concept of fighting, which may not be a bad thing at all.

The color codes of Taekwondo rankings

Dennis warming up before his fight

His fight didn't go that well, during the first round he received two hits near the head and the coach wisely called the fight. His opponent had a green band, which means he has better skills and more training than our son and this clearly showed during the fight.

There were some disappointment tears but nothing that a visit to the local 7-11 couldn't heal quickly and right now the motivation for a next tournament and fight is rather low, no real surprise there.

It was a very busy event, with Taekwondo clubs from all over Samui but also schools from Patthalung, Hat Yai, Phuket and various other locations participated.

The Governor of Surat Thani, Khun Damri Bunching, Samui's Mayor and a few other political hot shots attended. A good event and I hope our son starts to enjoy his current fave sport again, soon!

Camille

Four Seasons Care for Cancer run in Nathon

Four Seasons Care for Cancer run in Nathon

This morning at 6am was the registration for this years edition of the Four Seasons Care for Cancer run in Nathon, the fourth edition already and for the first time a 'dry run'! The actual run started at 7am.

I participated in the 10km and ran a personal best time of 53.3o minutes.

The Dive Academy crew who participated in the 5km walk

The 5km and 10km turning points

The official logo

There was a good turn out and apparently it was the biggest since the start of this event on Samui.

Am already looking forward to next years event and this was also a great warm up for the Laguna International Phuket (half) marathon I'm planning to run in, come 12th June.

Camille

PADI Platinum Course Director, Camille Lemmens Runs for Ocean Protection

PADI Platinum Course Director, Camille Lemmens
Runs for Ocean Protection

On 12th June 2011, PADI Platinum Course Director, Camille Lemmens will swap his scuba diving fins for running shoes as he participates in the Laguna Phuket International Marathon to raise funds for marine conservation.

Taking part in the half marathon Camille will join over 5,000 walkers and runners of all ages. But rather than just being a regular participant, Camille wants to do something positive for our oceans.


“As a PADI Platinum Course Director I’m privileged to spend many of my working hours underwater seeing the amazing diversity that Mother Nature offers. I also have a responsibility to ensure the continual and prolonged healthy underwater world,” said Lemmens.

“I’ve taken part in many marathons but this year I wanted to do something a little different. So I’m raising funds for Project AWARE, whose goal is to encourage and inspire divers to be part of the solution for ocean protection.”

Thailand’s PADI Regional Manager Tony Andrews, immediately joined efforts with Camille and together they’re planning to each run a half marathon.

Commenting on the marathon, PADI Regional Manager, Tony Andrews said, “I’m so excited that Camille has chosen to support PADI’s environmental partner, Project AWARE Foundation. I encourage other PADI Members in the area to get involved and join Camille. And to show my support I will also take part and help raise funds for the charity.”

Anyone can support Camille and Tony’s efforts by:

• Joining the team and running or walking in either one of the distances available, the full marathon at 42,195 km, the half marathon at 21 km, a 10.5 km run, a 2km kids run or a 5 km walk.

• Sponsoring Camille and Tony with a minimum donation of AU$60 – 2.100THB ($3 for each kilometre they plan to run). Go to www.projectaware.org/phuketmarathon to make your donation online.

Donations over AU$100 will be listed on the Project AWARE website.

If you’re interested in taking part in the Sponsored Run for AWARE then get in touch with Camille camille@idcthailand.net or PADI Regional Manager, Tony Andrews at tony.andrews@padi.com.au to find out more. Until 31st March Camille and Tony can offer reduced registration rates to all that want to participate in any of the mentioned distances. The participant rates are listed here.

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 24th February, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui has a fairly clouded sky with just a few blue spots currently. I would expect it to clear up more during the day though. Current temp at 7am is 27.5C

My son at his first Tae Kwon Do practice earlier this week, very proudly showing off his new suit

Yesterday saw a warm day over Samui, not that overly sunny but enough to keep the beach goers happy. Max temp reached 29C

Yesterday saw also a PADI Member Forum on Koh Samui at the Kandaburi Resort in Chaweng.

Camille

Four Seasons Care for cancer run 13th March 2011 Nathon pier

4 Seasons Care for cancer run 13th March 2011 Nathon pier

The yearly Four Seasons Care for Cancer run is going to be held 13th March 2011 at Nathon pier. Registration starts at 6am and the runs start at 7am or you can call 077 243 000 and sign up.

The Care for Cancer Run 2011 Polo shirt

For 250,-THB you will receive a T-shirt and for 400,-THB registration fee you will receive a polo shirt as pictured above, these prices also include a breakfast box and the chance to win exciting prizes.

Distance that can be run are 10KM for male and female, 5 km for male and female and for boys and girls for 15 years and under there are 5 km runs.

The event hopes to raise funds for cancer research.

This year Four Seasons Samui will hold the event with sister properties Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok in association with the Thai Red Cross Society.

Proceeds from the charity run will be donated to the Genetic Cancer Research Centre at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

The fun run, according to Brent Martin, general manager of Four Seasons Samui, has raised more than Bt22 million over the years.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts around the world hold annual charity fun runs to support cancer research. It was inspired by the Terry Fox Run, which marks its 30th anniversary this year.

Hope to see you there, the 5km and 10km routes are perfect for either running, jogging or walking!

Camille

United Arab Emirates, day 2

United Arab Emirates, day 2

My adventures in the United Arab Emirates continue and yesterday saw another action packed and fun day.

The day started out with an invitation by our mutual friend Bader, to have traditional breakfast at his in a Bedouin style tent, nowadays these tents are air conditioned! It also involved coffee drinking after breakfast and burning a special wood in a small holder and the smoke can be used to 'perfume' your clothes. The food was great, once more.

After some sight seeing around Umm al-Quwain, where Bader and Imad live, it was time for lunch and we went to this very outstanding local Umm al-Quwain sea food restaurant Wadi Al Neel which is famous around the UAE for it's great food. The place is small was packed all the time we were there and the food was just great!

Dubai city skyline

After lunch it was time to head direction Abu Dhabi, on eof the 7 Emirates and the capital of the UAE There was a visit to the Ferrari World amusement park and the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup in the plans.

At Ferrari world we were all 3 impressed by the sheer size and beautiful design of the place. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to visit but the currently fastest roller coaster in the world, the Formula Rossa is located here.

We were off to the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup finals between Inter Milan from Italy and TP Mazember from Congo at the Sheik Zayed Stadium. It had been a while since I saw a live football match and it was great to be at the stadium. Inter won easily with 3-0 and we were off back to Umm al-Quwain again were we got home by 1am.

In between each event and during all of the day, I had a decent amount of cups of mint tea, during which occasion Imad and Bader smoked a sheesha.

By visiting Abu Dhabi yesterday, I've been to all 7 Emirates just withing 2 days!

Camille

IBIS 5 km Fun Run on Koh Samui

IBIS 5 km Fun Run on Koh Samui

This morning at 7am I was running a 5 km run as part of the Samui Trophy which was held afterwards.

It was fun and especially the fact that you were running on the road between Bophud/Fisherman's Village (great feeling running in the old part of the Village) and Bang Rak, a road I travel almost daily.

Yesterday afternoon I signed up at the the Ibis hotel and there were a few merchants selling running and biking gear.

The bikes of the Adventure run participants. In a team you somehow need to overcome a 500 meter swim, a 10 km run, a 30 km bicycle ride and a 5 km kayak! They figure you can do this within 3.30 hrs! Ouch!

Allrighty, my second participants medal within two weeks! After the quarter marathon about two weeks ago now a new one! They're racking up rather quickly.

The next run being talked about is a Four Seasons run in November and January! Hope I'll be here and can participate.

Camille

The Ibis Koh Samui Trophy 2010

The Ibis Koh Samui Trophy 2010

This is an adventure run where you get to run 10km, complete 30km on a bike, swim 500 meters and kayak for 5km. That is, if you participate in the Adventure Race, add a bit for the extreme race and you're looking at biking 45km, running 15km, kayaking 10km and swimming 1000 meters. Tired already from just looking at those figures?

There's a also a 5km fun run and that's where I'll be participating on this coming Sunday 2nd October. If you would like to participate and register on line for this run, you can do that here.

Start and finish will be in Bophud's Fisherman's Village. Entrance fee is 150,-THB and besides online registration you can also registration and collect your race number at Ibis Hotel Bophut on Friday October 1 from 1pm until 7pm
Registration on Race day October 2 from 6am until 7am at venue (Bophut beach road)
Online and telegraphic transfer
For more information: Active Management Asia 02 718 95 81-2

It's looking like it's going to be a great event and I hope to see some of my readers there!

Camille

Samui Island Marathon, Nathon

Samui Island Marathon, Nathon

Today I participated in the quarter marathon of the Samui Island Marathon with start and finish in Nathon.

It was a well organized event and for instance it was a lot easier finding parking space than I expected. It was early though and the quarter mile start was at 5.30am in the morning! We woke up at 4am and made it just around 5.10am to Nathon.

It was nice to see the amount of people participating in this event and I truly hope it was enough to make it worthwhile to have the event again next year, I'll set my stakes higher and aim to complete the half marathon than.

Here is a picture of one of the participants. He was one of the few Westerners participating and I really enjoyed seeing that many Thai people participating, originating from all over the country!

The start of my category in the streets of Nathon near the pier. It was quite a big group all divided in age groups and male/female categories and the five first finishers got cash prices in each age group and male/female category.

Just before the quarter marathon start, the half marathon runners got going about 15 minutes before us.

Upon reaching my 1 km to go mark, the first three half marathon runners overtook me!

My run went well, as I expected, I did the 10.55km just under an hour, in 59.26 minutes which for me is a good time. My average running distance is now around 5 to 6 km, which made my start good and easy but reaching the turn around mark I started to slow down.

After the run, my son showing off the participants medal!

Till next year, I'm looking forward to it. This was a nice first for me, I never visited a running event, let alone participated in one.

Camille

Samui Island Marathon 2010

Samui Island Marathon 2010

Is about to take off tomorrow and I'm mad enough to have signed up for the quarter Marathon tomorrow, starting at 5.30am in Nathon!

Samui Island Marathon 2010 has four categories and these categories are subdivided in age categories.

After getting off the ferry from Koh Phangan I pretty much went straight to Nathon to sign up. See you tomorrow on the road!

My current training is up to 6km and I can do that distance on fairly flat road in 30 minutes. The last clicks tomorrow will be the challenge, the nice thing is we run early before it heats up.

More news tomorrow, with hopefully some nice pix.

Camille

Yearly sports event at Plai Laem

Yearly sports event at Plai Laem

The yearly New years sports event in Plai Laem is in full swing. Since early morning various sport events have been held in front of Plai Laem temple. This years event is a few days early in contrast to last years event which was held on the 31st December.

The announcement that this years event is to have the yearly sporting events, share food and have fun together.

One of the sports on the menu today is takraw aka sepak takraw.

The football and run track in front of the temple. There was only the takraw game on since it's just before 2pm local time, about the warmest part of the day and everybody is looking for shelter in the shade!

A good event and fun to watch.

Camille

Diabolo Performance at Bukit Gambir, Muar

Surprisingly spotted this 'Forgotten Sport' at Bukit Gambir, Muar during attending a lunch at restaurant.

"The Diabolo (commonly misspelled as diablo; formerly also known as "the devil on two sticks") is a juggling prop consisting of a spool which is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks held one in each hand. A huge variety of tricks are possible using the sticks, string, and various body parts. Multiple diabolos can be spun on a single string."
You can read about Diabolo at Wiki.

The 'Dumbell'

You watch the performance video down below....

The performer also a Diabolo Instructor for Johor Bahru & Singapore.

I'm wondering that, how many of the young generation now know about this sport?

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