The Malta-Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming Competition is located in Malta, an archipelago situated in the Mediterranean Sea south of the coast of Sicily, Italy. The course is a channel swim between the main island Malta and its sister island Gozo that passes by the small picturesque island of Comino on the east. There are two distances: a one-way crossing of 5.5 km and a two-way marathon swim crossing of 11 km, usually the third Saturday of August. The Malta-Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming Competition is a competitive swim that may serve to generate funds for the swimmer’s favored charity. All swimmers are escorted by safety boats. Swimming in groups up to 4 is allowed, although group swimming is not part of the competition. The two-way 11 km swim starts in Marfa Bay, Malta with a turn-around buoy in Qala, Gozo and the finish in Marfa Bay. The one-way 5 km swim starts from Gozo. The channel swim is part of the local open water swimming championship series organized by the Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club which manages another 6 coastal swims, 5 of which are 2 km and one 4 km. These swims are held between June and August and serve as qualifiers for the local swimmers to do the channel swim. Foreigner swimmers must produce a recent medical certificate and a letter from their coach, club and national federation for them to participate.