Not every participant in the Waikiki Roughwater Swim is out to win. Hans Loffel of Punchbowl, for example, said his goal is "to finish within less than twice the winner's time."

Just finishing is a pretty ambitious undertaking for someone who was a skier and sailor until 1986. When he moved to Hono-lulu from Montreal, Loffel decided he needed to take up a different sport. He was not a strong swimmer, so he worked with Jan Prins at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa to learn proper freestyle form. He then joined the masters swim program at UH under the tutelage of Joe and Tom Lileikis, whom he credits with encouragement and inspiration.

Now he's hooked on swimming and enters the North Shore summer swim series as well as the Waikiki Roughwater Swim.

Name: Hans Loffel

Age: 67

Profession: Graphic designer and artist

Height: 5-feet-8

Weight: 164 pounds

Workout habits: Swims three or four times a week for 45 to 55 minutes in the ocean at Ala Moana Beach Park. He only goes to the Makiki pool "on jellyfish days."

When and why I started working out: "In August 1986, business circumstances allowed me more time to exercise. I took up swimming because friends swam the Waikiki Rough Water Swim, and I also didn't want to go back to a gym, which I used to do when living in a colder climate." At first he had difficulty swimming in the ocean because of his vision. However once he discovered corrective goggles, he was hooked.

My good foods/bad foods: "Good: vegetables, fruit, pasta, fish, chicken. Bad: Swiss chocolate, sweet baked goods, which are not really bad when eaten in moderation, in my opinion."

My biggest motivator: I sleep better. Also my swimming partner, Geno Godinet, who is always ready to go for a swim after work. He swims the same speed as I do and is good company.

My biggest roadblock to fitness: "Going on vacation because there's no place to swim and I can only walk. Also, I eat a different diet."

Advice for those in the same boat: "Exercise not only to be physically fit, but also for the mental benefits and the pleasure to be out in the ocean, enjoying the scenery above and under the water."

Reach Paula Rath at prath@honoluluadvertiser.com.