Sun Moon Lake swimming carnival -an Ironman-style challenge for Taiwan’s youth

At the break of dawn, many people were busily preparing for the 2018 Sun Moon Lake International Swimming Carnival, a major event in Puli each year where participants swim from Chaowu Pier (朝霧) on the north side of the lake to Ita Thao Wharf Pier (伊達邵) on the south side, covering a total of 3,000 meters. This annual event attracts enthusiastic participants not only from across the length and breadth of Taiwan but also from far-flung places around the globe.

Swimming across Sun Moon Lake, climbing Yushan, and cycling around the island has become an indispensable Ironman-style right of passage for Taiwan's youth. While swimming, one must overcome the ever-changing outdoor environment and the fear of swimming in such a deep body of water. To ensure safety, participants are required to wear a uniform swimming cap and carry a torpedo buoy. Hopefully, counties and cities across Taiwan will begin to actively promote swimming so that many more children can take part in Taiwan's increasingly famous Sun Moon Lake International Swimming Carnival.

以下為中文對照

2018年日月潭萬人泳渡嘉年華，一大早就已經有許多人在準備，挑戰這一年一度的泳渡日月潭。萬人泳渡是南投埔里每年的盛事活動，自朝霧碼頭下水游到伊達邵碼頭上岸，全程水道線距離約3000公尺。每年總是吸引數以萬計來自全台各地甚至世界各國的人士熱烈參與。

泳渡日月潭、攀登玉山、騎單車環島合併稱為台灣新鐵人三項，在泳渡過程中，除了要克服多變的戶外天氣，還要戰勝腳踩不到底、深不見底的恐懼，主辦單位為了安全起見，規定挑戰者都要戴上統一的泳帽及攜帶魚雷浮標。希望各縣市可以積極推廣游泳，讓更多小朋友可以來泳渡日月潭。

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