There are numerous races around the world showcase the sport in beautiful setting with elaborate logistics and thoughtful planning.

These open water races offer everything: interesting and challenging courses, live television coverage, exposure via archived online streaming, competitive elite fields, age-group and fitness swimmer heats, convenient hotel accommodations, pre-race training pools and clinics, comprehensive safety procedures, onshore entertainment, and unique awards.

The Great Swim Series in Great Britain, the Flowers Sea Swim in the Cayman Islands, the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series, the RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco, the Fiji Swims, the aQuelle Midmar Mile, Cadiz Freedom Swim in Cape Town, the Descenso a Nado de la ría de Navia in Spain, and Ocean Racing Series in South Africa are world-class examples that set the standards for professionally run events.

And the bar continues to be raised for the good of the sport and its enthusiasts. From increased safety to increased exposure, the highest echelon of open water swims are scenic showcases of the sport.

The King and Queen of the Sea Challenge (Rei e Raniha do Mar Desafio in Portuguese) on the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim course for the 2016 Rio Olympics is one such race.



A photo gallery below shows the scope of its planning and execution by race director Pedro Rego Monteiro.

An easy-to-understand, highly visible, large race map and a well-stocked VIP tent with a great view of the course.





A nutritious and plentiful buffet for the athletes for duration of their stay.



A separate and quiet ready room for the athletes and a pre-race and post-race massage.



Ubiquitous sponsor exposure throughout the venue.




Highly visible and impactful sponsor signage throughout the venue.




Numerous requests for pre- and post-race interviews by television reporters and media representatives.


Onshore and on-the-water cameras for live television coverage.




A pre-race press conference with explanation of the course, sport and athletes.



Athletes’ anti-chaffing preparation with petroleum jelly applied via rubber gloves or tape.



Feeding and hydration needs set on individually numbered and separate tables.



Hydration and fueling needs for athletes.





A colorful and unique staggered start based on the results of a pre-race sprint.



A pre-race briefing and onshore start to specially scored music.




Athletes ran a short distance on beach in front of fans and TV cameras.



Extremely large (3-meter) turn buoys with sponsor’s logos.






An onshore finish in front of boisterous fans.





Volunteers with different responsibilities and easy-to-identify colored t-shirts.



Uniquely designed awards and a post-race spread for the athletes.



The bar has been raised and the future will only get better.



















Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source