A new series of ocean swim races is set to commence soon featuring some of Fiji’s best beach locations, including Natadola (shown on left), Pacific Harbour, Denarau, Malolo Lailai and Nacula in the Yasawa Islands. Natadola is an idyllic resort well-known by honeymooners and is considered one of the finest beaches in the world.
The Fiji Ocean Swim Series will comprise of six events with distances to suit hardened ocean and open water swimmers as well as younger and novice open water swimmers trying an ocean swim for the first time.
Some of the events will be held over 2 days with distances varying from 1.5K to 3K on the Saturday and a 5K for individuals and teams on the Sunday. Each event will also offer a 0.7K race.
Like many places around the world from England to Brazil, Fiji has seen an increase, over the last few years, in the number of local club and fitness swimmers venturing into the ocean and trying longer open water events and it is expected that the new series will encourage even more people to take to the open water.
The Series kicks off with a two-day event in February at Natadola with 700-meter 2.5K and 5K individual and team races. The Series includes the following races:
February 20 & 21 (700m, 2.5K, 5K) – Yatule Beach Resort Natadola April 3 & 4 (700m, 2.5K, 5K) – Yatule Beach Resort Natadola July (700m, 2K) – Pacific Harbor August (700m, 3K) – Nacula Yasawa Islands October 30 (Fiji Ocean Swim Festival) – Plantation Resort Malolo Lailai November 20 (700m, 3K) – Denarau Wellness Week
A truly beautiful setting for a gentle, clear-water open water swim where the competition will undoubtedly heat up later this year.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.