Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546525
10 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 11 SEPTEMBER 2026 CULTURE Open Water Malta brings swimmers from 16 countries to Marsalforn THE first-ever Aquaman Vis- itMalta open-water swimming event brought together swim- mers from 16 countries in Mar- salforn Bay, Gozo, on August 29–30, marking the debut of what organizers hope will be- come a fixture on the inter- national open-water calendar. Staged by Otters A.S.C., Gozo's longstanding swimming club, in partnership with the Aquat- ic Sports Association of Malta (ASA Malta), the event offered seven race formats; from a 500 m swim for young and first-time competitors to a demanding 5 km open-sea race, alongside a 1km fin race and a 3x500m team relay, drawing entrants ranging from recreational swimmers to seasoned marathon athletes. Racing took place in the calm, clear waters off Marsalforn's Ot- ters Pitch venue, a short transfer from Malta International Air- port. Gozo's sheltered bays, warm late-summer sea temperatures of around 26°C and consistently clear water have long made it a natural draw for open-wa- ter swimmers, and Aquaman Open Water Malta's debut edi- tion is a deliberate step toward turning that advantage into a recurring sports-tourism asset for the island. Beyond the di- rect economic benefit of hosting visiting athletes and their fami- lies, organizers see the event as part of a wider push to promote swimming and active, healthy lifestyles across Malta and Gozo, while giving the islands fresh visibility on an increas- ingly competitive international open-water racing circuit. For many competitors, the event's appeal lay as much in the experience as in the racing itself. "It was an amazing experience, it was my first open water com- petition but definitely not last… .I can't wait till next year!" Every swimmer was closely watched by an on-water safety team for the duration of their race, backed by medical support, aid stations and clear cut-off times for each distance, while timing chips gave every finisher an offi- cial, timed result, details organ- izers say are central to building swimmers' confidence to return, and to bring others with them. A strong network of partners underpinned the event, led by premier sponsors Visit Mal- ta and Grand Hotel, alongside event partners Otters A.S.C. and ASA Malta, and local partners BMIT, MeDirect, Meerendal and Nivea. "It was a great experience, and we can't wait for the journey ahead," said Aquaman Open Water Swimmer Otters A.S.C., organizers of Aquaman Vis- itMalta. "Stay tuned for 2027, we're already planning some- thing new." With 16 nations represented, and 68 swimmers now bound for the World Championship in Somabay, Egypt this October. Aquaman Open Water Malta has set a high bar for a debut event and signaled bigger am- bitions to come. Organizers are already working on an expanded 2027 edition, with further de- tails to follow. For a first-time open-water swimmer or a seasoned racer seeking a new challenge and a shot at qualifying for the world stage, Marsalforn Bay has staked its claim as one of the Mediter- ranean's newest, and most ac- cessible, open-water swimming destinations. About Aquaman Open Water Malta Aquaman Open Water Malta is the Maltese edition of the in- ternational Aquaman open-wa- ter swimming series, held for the first time on August 29–30, 2026 in Marsalforn Bay, Gozo. The event is organized by Ot- ters A.S.C. in partnership with the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA Malta). About Otters A.S.C. Otters A.S.C. is a swimming club based in Marsalforn, Gozo, widely recognized for its pres- ence in the national water polo scene. In recent years, however, the Club has been modernizing and broadening its vision through the development of a swimming school that caters for all aquat- ic disciplines, including artistic swimming. The Club has also established itself as a leading organizer of open-water swimming and mul- ti-sport races in Gozo, helping to promote participation, sport- ing excellence, and a broader appreciation of aquatic sport on the island. For a first-time open-water swimmer or a seasoned racer seeking a new challenge and a shot at qualifying for the world stage, Marsalforn Bay has staked its claim as one of the Mediterranean's newest, and most accessible, open-water swimming destinations