Renowned ultra distance swimmer Neil Agius has announced the Ocean Festival – Round Gozo, Malta’s first ultra-distance open water swimming event.
This exciting challenge – on Monday, the 1st of July – will see participants swimming around the island of Gozo, covering a total distance of 37 kilometres.
Participants will set off on this epic journey from Hondoq ir-Rummien at 4 am, swimming clockwise around Gozo.
The event includes two categories:
• A solo swim, where athletes will tackle the entire distance individually, and a team swim, which allows participants to share the effort across the course. The solo swim is a significant test of endurance, requiring competitors to complete the 37 kilometres within a 15-hour time limit. This category has drawn 11 determined solo swimmers, each prepared to face this demanding challenge.
• In the team swim category, participants will work together to cover the distance, providing a slightly less intensive but still formidable challenge. One group of three swimmers, and two groups of four and five swimmers each, will take on the course in a relay format, emphasising teamwork and cooperation.
The organisers explained that to ensure the safety of all participants, each swimmer or group will be accompanied by an escort boat. Additionally, three support boats from the Ocean Festival crew will patrol the route.
St John Ambulance will be present with a sea ambulance and a land team on standby, with the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps (ERRC) joining later in the day with their support boat.
They said that preparatory meetings with Transport Malta and Gozo Channel personnel were held to ensure clear communication and established safety protocols.
Neil Agius, known for his remarkable achievements in open water swimming, has been actively involved in preparing participants for this event. Over the past six months, swimmers have undergone a rigorous training regimen, including specific swim training, diet and nutrition advice, mindset training, and professional insights provided by Neil himself.
The organisers of Ocean Festival said that it is dedicated to promoting open water swimming and fostering a sense of community among swimmers of all levels.” By pushing boundaries and embracing the beauty of the Maltese waters, Ocean Festival aims to create memorable experiences that inspire and challenge participants to achieve new goals. One of Ocean Festival’s primary objectives is to connect people with nature, with the sea being a vital part of the Maltese islands’ natural heritage.”
Ocean Festival extended its heartfelt gratitude to the authorities and the team who have made this event possible. ”Their unwavering support and dedication embody the community spirit that Ocean Festival strives to promote.
Special thanks were also extended to the voluntary crew members ”whose enthusiasm and motivation are crucial to our swimmers when facing tough situations, and who invariably help to elevate these events to new heights,” the organisers said.
Event Details
Date: Monday, July 1st
Start Time: 4 am
Start Location: Hondoq ir-Rummien
Distance: 37 kilometres
Participants: 32 swimmers (11 solo swimmers, one group of 3, and two groups of 4 and 5 swimmers each)
Photo: Ocean Festival – The Gozo Gap 2023