IWAKUNI, Japan - Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 took first place during the Aqua Fitness Challenge at the WaterWorks pool as part of the 2011 Commander’s Cup Aug. 19.
MALS-12 won with 15 points. Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 came in second with 10 points. Combat Logistics Company 36 followed closely with eight points.
The Commander’s Cup is an annual station-wide series of events which involve squadrons competing against one another in various challenges ranging from softball to the most recent event of the Aqua Fitness Challenge.
The Commander’s Cup is open to any unit on station.
The purpose of this particular challenge was to give service members a chance to relax, share camaraderie in a different way and test their knowledge on fitness.
“It’s a way for them to get out, enjoy themselves besides the usual physical training and try something different,” said Barbara A. Roman, Semper Fit fitness coordinator. “It’s also a way for them to get outside of the workplace, put ranks aside and just have fun.”
The challenge consisted of the five teams each having a swimmer at opposite ends of the pool.
The swimmers were then given a question, which related to either overall physical fitness or Semper Fit.
The swimmers then swam to where Semper Fit members threw a ball into the middle of the pool.
Whoever was the first to reach the ball stated their unit and answered the question. One question was worth one point.
Questions were also asked so Marines could take away a better understanding of physical fitness and apply it in their duties.
“The things they learn here, they can apply in the workplace with other Marines,” said Roman.
“It was awesome to come out here and win with my team,” said Bryan Carvahal, MALS-12 maintenance administrator.
Though knowledge was the key point of the challenge, the participants would not be able to perform if they were not familiar with the water.
“I’ve been swimming for 10 years,” said Carvahal. “so I signed up as soon as I could.”
Having good swimmers aided MALS-12 in winning, as several times throughout the challenge, MALS-12 was out in front of the
other swimmers.
“Their swimmers were definitely their biggest strength,” said Seaman Perry M. Lynch, clinic hospital corpsman.
So far, the challenge is the only Commander’s Cup water sport.
Carvahal said he hopes as more Marines and sailors take part in events like this, the word will spread and more will come out to compete.
“This was my first time doing something like this, and it was fun,” said Lynch.
The points the teams scored were added to the overall total for each unit.
Roman said Marines and sailors are encouraged to come out and take part in events like this.
“It’s part of the community,” Roman said. “This brings people together, civilians too.”
The next Commander’s Cup challenge, Earthball, is scheduled to take place Sept. 16.