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The world has more than 3,600 sanctioned open water swims in at least 162 countries – and
the sport is growing like never before - and usually under the radar of national governing
bodies and the mass media.
But here is a subjective list of some of the world's greatest, most popular and challenging
open water swims. Enjoy.
2. Midmar Mile
• Location: Midmar Damin Kwazulu Natal in South Africa (one-hour drive from Durban).
• Course: Straight point-to-point race across Midmar Dam.
• Distance: 1 mile
• Date: Second Sunday weekend in February
• Description: The world’s largest competitive open water swimming event also has an
associated a series of qualification swims throughout South Africa.
• Additional Information: Attracts swimmers of all ages and abilities, ranging from Olympic
medalists to swimmers between the ages of 5 and 83. The event has recently attracted more
than 17,000 entrants, a huge increase from the inaugural event in 1974 when 153 swimmers
raced across the dam for the first time. Due to the large number of entrants, the swimmers
are separated into 8 different races; each race is divided into 5 batches separated by 3-
minute intervals; each batch wears a different colored cap to distinguish their batch. A chip
timing system was introduced in 2008 to record accurate times for each participant.
3. Vansbrosimningen
• Location: Vansbro in central Sweden
• Course: River swim under the six bridges of Vansbro.
• Distance: 3K
• Date: July
• Description: Over 4,000 swimmers participate in the largest open water swim in northern
Europe Vansbrosimningen with another 2,250 women participating in the 1K Tjeisimmet (race
for women only).
• Additional Information: Envisioned in 1950 with 10 swimmers in the first attempt,
Vansbrosimningen became a national race in 1956 and has been growing ever since,
Copyright © 2010 by Open Water Source p. 1
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especially when the “En Svensk Klassiker” was added in 1972. Over the past 53 years, one
woman, Margareta Rylander, was the fastest overall finisher.
entered the first race. The race is now capped at 4,300 participants and is known as a very
successful charity event.
9. Cole Classic
• Location: Manly Beach in Australia.
• Course: Ocean course
• Distance: 1K Novice Challenge and 2K
• Date: January
• Description: Started in 1983 with 101 swimmers with the Waikiki Roughwater Swim as an
initial inspiration, the Cole Classic has grown to nearly 3,000 swimmers.
• Additional Information: Also an online fundraising opportunity through EveryDay Hero.
• Description: The 1K race is from a floating pontoon near Treasure Island to Beachcomber
Island. The 2.7K swim is at Beachcomber Island and starts on a sandbar. The 18K relay is
from Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to Beachcomber Island. The 18K race can be done solo, with 2
swimmers or with 5 swimmers.
• Additional Information: Considered to be one of the most beautiful open water swims in the
world with numerous world-renowned Olympic medalists annually participating, such as
Natalie Coughlin, Shane Gould, Debbie Meyer (1968 triple gold medalist), Danyon Loader
(double gold medalist from New Zealand).
• Location: Tiki Beach Bar, Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman Island, Cayman Islands.
• Course: A loop course in warm tropical waters.
• Distance: 5K
• Date: November.
• Description: Mild currents, abundant marine life and potentially strong currents and wind
chop
• Additional Information: Attracts swimmers from all over the Americas during a festive week
on Grand Cayman Island. A cut-off time of 2½ hours is enforced. Minimum age is 12 years
and an alternative course will be announced in the event of inclement weather. Field is limited
to 100 swimmers.
48. Ijsselmeerzwemmarathon
• Location: From Stavoren to Medemblik in Ijsselmeer in the Netherlands.
• Course: Formerly the ocean, but now a large lake, Ijsselmeer that can develop very difficult
conditions with the winds.
• Distance: 22K (13.6 miles)
• Date: Usually the second Saturday in August
• Description: A competitive field.
• Additional Information: Now in its fourth decade, the event was recognized for merit by the
International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2007. Individual escort boats are required
and some prize money is offered that has served as the Dutch Marathon Swimming National
Championship.
Channel from Luganville to the Aore Resort. Espiritu Santo is Vanuatu's "Big Island" steeped
in tradition and history. Luganville and the Segond Channel was an important US WWII base
for the push on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and at the eastern end of the channel is
the wreck of the President Coolidge now one of the world's most famous dive sites.
• Course: Back-and-forth swim in old shipping canal with the turn-around point in Brugge in
Belgium.
• Distance: 2K, 5K and 2.5K (breaststroke)
• Date: Usually the first Sunday in July
• Description: Turning point is in Belgium making it truly an international swim.
• Additional Information: The event continues to be popular in its fourth decade.
67. Lektocht
• Location: River Lek (local name of the Rhine) in the Netherlands.
• Course: Start at Beusichem and finish in Culemborg in a river, usually current-assisted.
• Distance: 2K, 6K and 2.5K (breaststroke)
• Date: The second Sunday in July
• Description: Winding course with bends in the river.
• Additional Information: Offers good prize money that attracts top Dutch swimmers and top
competitive swimmers from other countries. Swim has a long history, but it was cancelled in
the 1960’s due to pollution in the river Rhine and restarted in the 1990’s.
range between 13°C (50°F) in the shipping lane to 18 – 20°C (62 – 66°F) at Kitsilano Beach.
• Date: December
• Description: The competitive marathon swimming race that is part of the multi-sport
competition of marine and beach sports.
• Additional Information: Called the Primeros Juegos Suramericanos de Playa in Spanish that
includes beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach handball, 7's rugby, beach tennis, sailing,
surfing, triathlonand water skiing events.
includes 1.25-, 2.5- and 5K races in Leighton Beach in January, Open Water Series #5
includes 1.25-, 2.5-, 5- and 10K races in Sorrento Beach in late January. Open Water Series
#5 also serves as the Western Australia State Championships and the 10K Rottnest Channel
Swim Rotto Rehearsal.
84. Bloemendaal
• Location: Bloemendaal Beach in the Netherlands.
• Course: Tidal-assisted seaside course.
• Distance: 1 nautical mile
• Date: Second Sunday in August
• Description: 53rd annual swim is always popular.