開放水域之旅 - 丹尼爾的故事

1. 請簡單介紹一下自己（你來自哪裡，你的工作/興趣等）。
我出生在荷蘭，13 歲時移居美國。 我在俄勒岡州上的高中和大學，後來對亞洲產生了興趣，畢業後開始從事葡萄酒行業。 我熱愛冒險和大自然，喜歡在公開水域馬拉松游泳等極限運動中突破新的界限。 過去 20 年我一直住在亞洲，其中在北京住了 10 年，在香港住了 5 年，在東京住了 5 年，現在在台北住了 1 年。

2. 是什麼促使你開始進行長距離公開水域游泳的？
在香港，我加入了一群公開水域游泳者，開始真正享受隨著時間的推移而增加的距離，我嘗試了HK360 - 一項香港島環遊游泳，單人游泳者嘗試過的次數不到10次，這是一次45公里的游泳，由於過度訓練，我的肩袖受傷了，無法完成游泳。

3.為什麼想遊過基隆嶼和即將遊過的龜山島？
當我從東京搬到台北時，我非常有興趣研究繼續在台灣公開水域游泳。 這確實令人望而生畏，但 SwimLife.Tw 泳渡人生社團為這類游泳提供了很好的便利。 我喜歡探索台灣的水域，它很美，但我不太了解水流，所以獨自游泳會很危險。 這就是為什麼 Alex 的組織嘗試推廣台灣公開水域海洋游泳是一件很棒的事。

4. 順利完成基隆嶼來回行程後，您印象最深刻的是哪一部分？
這是一次很棒的游泳，非常有意義。 當你報名參加長距離游泳時，人們永遠不知道他們是否能完成比賽，或者在游泳過程中會遇到什麼困難。 讓我印象最深刻的是水的清澈和乾淨，儘管有很多小水母幾乎讓人無法忍受，但希望在接下來游泳返回龜山島時不要那麼多。

5. 當時您面臨哪些困難（例如水流、體力、心理障礙），又是如何克服的呢？
總的來說，整個游泳過程我感覺非常舒服，天氣條件非常好，除了返回靠近海岸時有一點點水流外，幾乎沒有水流。

6.完成挑戰為你帶來了什麼意義或改變？
我喜歡公開水域游泳挑戰，並享受準備和訓練。 一切都取決於充分的準備。 完成長距離游泳後，感覺就像是一項偉大的成就，儘管游泳本身可能非常困難，但你需要毅力才能完成它。 幾乎比體力更重要的是堅持下去的心理意志力。 你必須具有永不放棄的心態。

7. 面對往返龜山島的挑戰，您目前的訓練內容和頻率是怎麼樣的？
我每天都在訓練，但我剛從美國度假回來，在那裡我根本沒有游泳，所以我正在「追趕」。 我不確定我的身體是否準備好參加 20 公里的游泳，但我會盡最大努力完成它。 在游泳比賽前的最後兩週，我嘗試每週游泳 20-30 公里。 這個週末我需要嘗試連續游泳 12-15 公里，如果我能完成，我知道我已經為龜山島游泳做好了準備。

8. 有沒有特別注重強化訓練？例如：耐力、補給、導航、心態？
為了完成長距離游泳，耐力燃料非常重要。 把握時機並確保你的身體有足夠的能量需要時間和經驗。 我將導航留給支援團隊。 我只想專注於游泳並保持專注。

9. 相較於基隆嶼，您覺得這次有什麼不同或更大的挑戰？
龜山島更暴露在開闊水域中，這意味著洋流、風和海浪（條件）可能不如較短的基隆嶼游泳那麼好。 我真的很期待檢查一下情況，希望不會太難。

10. 在準備過程中有遇到什麼挫折嗎？你如何保持動力？
我的意志非常堅強，對自己要求非常嚴格。 我設定了每日游泳目標並且通常堅持下去。 擁有良好的毅力確實非常重要。 游泳是所有訓練的動力。

11.如果有隊員也想挑戰長距離游泳，你會給他們什麼建議？
訓練、訓練、訓練，不要嘗試超出你能力的游泳。 如果您是游泳新手，那就挑戰自己完成 5 公里，每年您可以將距離增加到一次游泳 30-40 公里！ 2016 年我遊了第一個 5 公里，2017 年遊了 15 公里，2018 年我遊了第一個 20 公里，接下來就是準備了。 幾年前，我遊過最長的距離是30公里，耗時13小時。

12. 您覺得語言或文化差異對您參與台灣的活動有影響嗎？
不會，台灣人很友善，而且因為我學過中文，在北京生活多年，所以我的中文程度相當不錯。

13.你對於參加台灣的活動有什麼感受？有什麼特別想感謝的人或事嗎？
Alex很棒，我希望在他的支持下完成更多挑戰。

14.完成龜山島之後，還有什麼開放水域的目標或夢想嗎？
看看我是否能先游完龜山島，但我很想看看從綠島游到台東附近東南部的台灣海岸線——我認為大約有 32 公里，而且我認為這段路程從未有人游過。

15.如果有機會的話，您願意再參加台灣其他的游泳項目嗎？
是的，我有興趣參加 10 月由 SwimLife.Tw 泳渡人生社團舉辦的泳渡小琉球 12 公里游泳比賽。

Daniel Vanderhave, Mayank Vaid To Swim Around Hong Kong

Gone Swimming - HK360 - Daniel & Mayank Tandem Solo 45km Swim Nov 21, 2019

2025年6月8日完成泳渡基隆嶼來回12公里挑戰紀錄！

---

英文版本

Open Water Journey - Daniel's Story

1. Please briefly introduce yourself (where you are from, what you do/interests, etc.).
I was born in The Netherlands and moved to USA when I was 13 years old. I went to High School and University in Oregon and subsequently became interested in Asia where after I graduated started my career in the wine industry. I have a passion for adventure and nature, I love pushing new boundaries in extreme sports like open-water marathon swimming. I have been living in Asia for the last 20 years, spending 10 years in Bejing, 5 years in Hong Kong, 5 years in Tokyo, and now 1 year so far in Taipei.

2. What made you start long-distance open water swimming?
In Hong Kong I connected with a group of open water swimmers and started really enjoying increased distances over time, I attempted the HK360 – a Hong Kong Island circumnavigation swim only attempted by solo swimmer less than 10 times ever, it is a 45km swim and due to over-training I injured my shoulder rotator cuff and could not complete the swim.

3. Why did you want to swim across Keelung Island and the upcoming Guishan Island?
When I moved to Taipei from Tokyo I was very much interested to investigate continuing to swim in Taiwan open water. It was quite daunting but SwimLife has been great to facilitate these kinds of swims. I love exploring the waters of Taiwan, it is beautiful but I don’t know the currents very well so it would be dangerous to swim alone. That’s why it’s great to have Alex’s organization try to promote Taiwan open water ocean swimming.

4. After successfully completing the round trip to Keelung Island, which part impressed you the most?
It was a great swim and very rewarding. When you sign up for long distance swims one never knows if they will finish or what difficulties they may encounter during the swim. What impressed me most was the water clarity and cleanliness, although there were many small jellyfish that was almost unbearable, hopefully not so many for the upcoming swim and back to Turtle Island.

5. What difficulties did you face at that time (such as water current, physical strength, and psychological barriers), and how did you overcome them?
Overall I was very comfortable throughout the entire swim, we had perfect weather conditions and almost no currents except for a little bit on the return when getting close to the shore.

6. What meaning or change does completing the challenge bring to you?
I love open water swimming challenges and I enjoy the preparation and training. It’s all about being well prepared. After completion of a long swim it feels like a great accomplishment even though the swim itself might be very difficult, you need perseverance to get through it. Almost more important than physical strength is the psychological will power to keep going. You must have a never give up mentality.

7. Facing the challenge of going back and forth to Guishan Island, what are your current training contents and frequency?
I am training everyday but I just returned from a holiday in the US where I did not swim at all, so I am playing “catch up”. I’m not sure if my body will be ready for taking on a 20km swim, but I will try my hardest to complete it. I’m trying to swim 20-30km’s per week for the last two weeks prior to the swim. This weekend I need to try to swim consecutively 12-15km and if I can complete it, I know I will be ready for Turtle Island swim.

8. Is there any special focus on intensive training? For example: endurance, supplies, navigation, mentality?
Endurance fuel is super important in order to complete long swims. Timing and making sure your body has enough energy takes time and experience. Navigation I leave up to the support team. All I want to focus on is swimming and staying concentrated.

9. Compared to Keelung Island, what do you think are the differences or greater challenges this time?
Turtle Island is a lot more exposed to open water ocean, which means that the currents, wind and waves (conditions) might not be as good as the shorter Keelung Island swim. I’m really looking forward to check out the conditions and hopefully it will not be too difficult.

10. Did you encounter any setbacks during the preparation process? How do you stay motivated?
I am pretty strong willed and really strict with myself. I set a daily swimming goal and usually stick with it. It’s really important to have good perseverance. The swim is the motivation for all the training.

11. If there are team members who also want to challenge long-distance swimming, what advice would you give them?
Training, training, training and don’t attempt swims that are over your capabilities. If you are new to swimming than challenge yourself to complete 5km, every year you can increase the distances all the way up to 30-40km in 1 swim! In 2016 I swam my first 5km, 2017 I swam 15km, 2018 I swam my first 20km, then it’s just about preparation. My longest swim was 30km and took 13hours a few years ago.

12. Do you think language or cultural differences have an impact on your participation in activities in Taiwan?
Not at all, Taiwanese people are very friendly and because I studied Chinese and lived in Beijing for many years, my Chinese fluency is pretty good.

13. How do you feel about participating in activities in Taiwan? Is there anyone or anything in particular you would like to thank?
Alex is great and I hope to swim many more challenges with his support.

14. After completing Guishan Island, do you have any other open water goals or dreams?
Let’s see if I can finish Guishan first, but I would love to look at swimming from Ludao to Taiwan shoreline in the South East part near Taidong – I think it’s about 32km and I don’t think it has ever been swum.

15. If you have the chance, would you like to participate in other swimming events in Taiwan again?
Yes definitely, I’m interested in participating in the 12km swim in October as well organized by SwimLife.