The first-ever Aquaman VisitMalta open-water swimming event brought together swimmers from 16 countries in Marsalforn Bay, Gozo, last weekend, marking the debut of what organisers hope will become a fixture on the international open-water calendar.

Staged by Otters A.S.C., Gozo’s longstanding swimming club, in partnership with the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA Malta), the event offered seven race formats; from a 500m swim for young and first-time competitors to a demanding 5km 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 Otters Pitch venue, a short transfer from Malta International Airport.

The organisers said that 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-water swimmers, and Aquaman Open Water Malta’s debut edition is a deliberate step toward turning that advantage into a recurring sports-tourism asset for the island.

Beyond the direct economic benefit of hosting visiting athletes and their families, the organisers said that they 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 increasingly competitive international open-water racing circuit.

The organisers explained 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 competition 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 official, timed result, details organisers say are central to building swimmers’ confidence to return, and to bring others with them.

“It was a great experience, and we can’t wait for the journey ahead,” said Aquaman Open Water Swimmer Otters A.S.C., organisers of Aquaman VisitMalta. “Stay tuned for 2027, we’re already planning something 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 signalled bigger ambitions to come.

The organisers said that they are already working on an expanded 2027 edition, with further details 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 Mediterranean’s newest, and most accessible, open-water swimming destinations.”

A strong network of partners underpinned the event, led by premier sponsors Visit Malta and Grand Hotel, alongside event partners Otters A.S.C. and ASA Malta, and local partners BMIT, MeDirect, Meerendal and Nivea.

Otters A.S.C. is a swimming club based in Marsalforn, Gozo, widely recognised for its presence in the national water polo scene. In recent years, however, the Club said it has been modernising and broadening its vision through the development of a swimming school that caters for all aquatic disciplines, including artistic swimming.

”The Club has also established itself as a leading organiser of open-water swimming and multi-sport races in Gozo, helping to promote participation, sporting excellence, and a broader appreciation of aquatic sport on the island,” it said.

Photo by Steve Scicluna

Permalink: First-ever Aquaman VisitMalta brings open-water swimmers from 16 countries to Gozo