70-year old Berbice conqueror plans to tackle the might Essequibo
For 50th Independence Anniversary and 100th BHS anniversary
By Samuel Whyte
Overseas based Guyanese Ashraf Ally known as “The River Conqueror” who has swam most of the major rivers in Guyana is back home to be a part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of his alma mater, the Berbice High School and the 50th Independence Anniversary of Guyana.
Ashraf Ally
However, one of Ally’s main aims is to conquer the Mighty Essequibo River.
Ally, who hails from Canefield Settlement East Canje, has been swimming for most of his life and has conquered most of the major rivers in Guyana.
He had always endeavored to swim the Might Essequibo River. He feels this is the correct time to undertake the feat in light of the two mentioned observances.
He will be undertaking the task on Monday 5th September the same day that the BHS will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary. He hopes to swim for between 5-6 hours to across the river. The feat, which he says is not impossible, will be dedicated to the observance of Guyana’s Jubilee Independence Anniversary and the BHS Anniversary.
According to Ally, he will be swimming from Rockstone on the East Bank of the Essequibo River, swim around Luck Island which is in the river and then head to the shore on the other side. He is inviting others to join him.
Ally graduated from the BHS in 1967 and has since gone on to new heights. A former head of the Science Department of the Canje Secondary, Ally now resides in the United States. The father of two daughters who are both Doctors in The USA, Ally is now 70 years and stated that he feels good and ready for the challenge.
Before he undertakes the task, on Saturday he will once again be swimming the Berbice River as a warm up. The Berbice River exercise will begin around 10:00 hrs from the New Amsterdam Stelling to the Rosignol Stelling. According to Ally, boats will accompany the swimmers across the two rivers and will be available to collect who flounders or panics in the water.
After undertaking many journeys across the Canje River, in 1979 he undertook his first major swim across Berbice River. In 1998 he swam the Suriname River. Swimming from Skeldon to Stratt in Nickeri Suriname, which was the route the old Suriname River launch use to travel.
In 1999 he swam the Demerara River. He has also swam Lake mainstay twice.
According to Ally, he is aware that the Essequibo River is full of reptiles and other dangerous creatures such as Anacondas, Electric Ells, Sting Rays, Caimans, Piranhas and Alligators, but he will not be swimming with any protective gear.
Ally who is now a preacher believes that the Almighty has created men and women and has given them a manual which is the bible. He said that the Bible teaches that human beings are fearfully and wonderfully made and that our bodies are designed to give glory to God.
The veteran swimmer stated that swimming is an excellent exercise. He hopes that his ventures in swimming will motivate Guyanese to take up swimming in order to enjoy better health. He is hoping to make the swim across the Berbice River an annual event. He also plans to swim some distance into the Atlantic Ocean.
He is making a special appeal for anyone to join him in his endeavor or assist in any way possible, especially Minister of Sports Nicolette Henry, since she was also a product of the Berbice High School.
Persons can contact Ally on Ashchrista@yahoo.com or sports enthusiast and community activist Eli Hazel on 333-3309.
