Pinoy Aquaman joins Canada races ahead of Bohol open-water swim

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Long before he dives back into the open waters, Ingemar Macarine, better known as the “Pinoy Aquaman,” is putting in the work on land.

The 50-year-old open-water swimming icon is keeping himself race-ready by competing in endurance events in Canada this month as he gears up for what could be his historic 39th open-water swim in Bohol this October.

In an interview with CDN Digital, Macarine, regarded as the most accomplished Filipino and arguably one of Asia’s greatest open-water swimmers, said he has remained active despite staying out of the spotlight in recent months.

Macarine arrived in Vancouver, Canada, on Wednesday ahead of two endurance races. He will first compete in the 21-kilometer Elk Lake Half Marathon on July 12 on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, marking his first race in Canada and his third triathlon-related event in North America after completing two races in the United States.

He will then take on an even bigger challenge in the Olympic-distance Supertri Toronto 2026.

His most recent race was the Cabalen Run half marathon in Clark, Pampanga on June 14, which coincided with his 50th birthday.

READ: ‘Pinoy Aquaman’ goes the distance in Masbate

Although he has not competed in an open-water swim for several months, Macarine said he remains in excellent condition.

“I’m still in the pink of health. I had my comprehensive blood panel last month, and all came out within the normal range, even without medication, except for my hypertension and asthma. All because of my mostly whole-food and plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, fish or chicken and egg twice or thrice a week, along with 7 to 8 hours of sleep, and zero alcohol,” Macarine said.

Pinoy Aquaman still training

His daily routine has remained consistent, alternating between running and swimming.

“I still train daily for one to two hours either by running or swimming. My weakest sport in triathlon is cycling. I don’t often train that much, maybe once or twice a month,” he added.

The races in Canada are all part of his buildup for a planned open-water swim in Bohol in October. If successful, it will be the 39th open-water crossing of his career, further extending his record as the only Filipino to accomplish such a feat.

His most recent international swim came in 2022 when he completed a grueling five-kilometer crossing of Lake Michigan in Illinois, USA, finishing in two hours and 57 minutes.

READ: Pinoy Aquaman to conquer Capiz open sea on Sunday

Back home, Macarine’s last successful open-water swim came in 2024 when he completed a 10-kilometer crossing in Capiz in three hours and 15 minutes, adding another milestone to his decorated career.

Away from competition, the Department of Justice prosecutor for the Province of Bohol admitted that joining organized races has become more practical than staging solo channel swims.

“It’s something to look forward to. Registering for a race is also easier than organizing a solo channel swim, where I had to handle logistics such as escort boats, support crew, media coverage, selecting the swim route, and everything else,” he said.

Even as he continues to defy age, Macarine acknowledged that his body has begun to remind him he’s no longer in his prime. He has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, aching knees, and the return of a nagging swimmer’s shoulder.

Still, the physical setbacks have done little to dampen his ambition.

One dream continues to fuel the “Pinoy Aquaman,” which is to conquer the English Channel from France to England, widely regarded by open-water swimmers as the sport’s equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.

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