News

The 43rd Sun Moon Lake International Cross-lake Swimming Carnival was held on September 28, 2025, on a grand scale. A record-breaking 24,736 participants challenged themselves, including 361 international swimmers from 35 countries and 130 swimmers with physical disabilities.

   The event kicked off at 7:00 AM as the 130 swimmers with disabilities entered the water first. At 7:30 AM, Nantou County Mayor Hsu Shu-Hua, accompanied by former President Ma Ying-Jeou and other officials, released Lookup fish (Culter Alburnus) into the lake at Shuishe Pier, contributing to the ecological preservation of Sun Moon Lake.

  Following the release ceremony, County Mayor Hsu hosted the official opening at Chaowu Pier, offering encouragement to all the swimmers before firing the ceremonial gunshot to signal the start of the race. Former President Ma shared that he has participated in the Sun Moon Lake swim every year since leaving office, noting that to maintain his health, he swims at least 1,000 meters three times a week. This year marks his 12th consecutive participation, and he expressed his hope to continue annually. “Swimming keeps you healthy and youthful,” he said, encouraging everyone to join in.

County Mayor Hsu emphasized that the Sun Moon Lake International Cross-lake Swimming Carnival is Taiwan’s longest-running and largest open-water swimming event. She highlighted the inspirational true story of seven visually impaired swimmers from the 2020 event, which has been adapted into the film Second Life (or Breakthrough: 3,000m of Courage). The movie premieres on October 3rd and captures the spirit of perseverance inherent in the Sun Moon Lake challenge. Hsu invited sports enthusiasts to see themselves reflected in this motivational film and concluded by thanking the Puli Four-season Swimming Association, volunteers, and medical staff for their invaluable support in ensuring the smooth execution of the event.

Among the participants, 71-year-old Kuo Kong-Yang from Taichung was the first to finish, reaching the shore in approximately 43 minutes to enthusiastic applause. Kuo, a retired battalion commander from the 46th class of the ROC Military Academy, is known for his exceptional fitness and volunteer work. His athletic achievements include competing in the Hengchun Peninsula 226k International Triathlon three times, driven by his personal motto: “Surpass perfection.” Another standout was 15-year-old Lin Yu-Chieh from Taipei 's  JingMei Girls High School, who discovered upon finishing that she had placed first among female swimmers. Lin swam alongside her classmate You Tang-Chi, and the two reached the shore together, pleasantly surprised by their impressive performance.

In line with the government’s age-friendly initiatives, the event welcomed applications from 10 senior swimmers this year. After a health screening conducted by the Puli Four-season Swimming Association, two were deemed fit to participate. Their involvement not only showcased unwavering athletic spirit but also embodied the values of “Healthy Aging and Inclusive Nantou.”

  To guarantee swimmer safety, the Nantou County Government mobilized medical personnel and water rescue teams, and requested the Ministry of the Interior’s National Airborne Service Corps to dispatch a rescue helicopter. This created a robust safety network across land, water, and air to ensure a joyful and healthy experience for all. County Mayor Hsu invited the public to return to Nantou in October for a series of cultural events. From October 4th–12th, the Nantou Global Tea Expo will be held in Chung Hsing New Village, offering visitors a rich experience of tea tasting and cultural exploration. On October 10th, in celebration of National Day, Nantou will host its first-ever National Day fireworks display since the county's founding. The event will take place along the Maoluo River in Nantou City, promising a spectacular and deeply meaningful celebration.