Registration opens for the Varadero 2026 Open Water Challenge

Registration is now open until August 23, 2026, or until all spots are filled, for the Varadero 2026 Open Water Challenge, a sporting event held in natural bodies of water such as the sea, instead of a swimming pool.

Cubadeportes and the Cuban Ministry of Tourism have invited national and international swimmers to participate in the fifth event of its kind on the island, scheduled for September 12-13 at Cuba’s premier beach resort. The Events in Cuba platform indicates that the categories will be divided into men’s and women’s divisions, and the competition will include different age ranges as well as a special division for people with disabilities.

These types of challenges usually involve swimming long distances in natural conditions, facing variables such as water temperature, currents and marine life, which is why they tend to attract professional and amateur swimmers looking to test their endurance and swimming skills.

In 2025, 600 participants attended the Gran Retto Aguas Abiertas Challenge, indicating the growing interest in open water swimming and Varadero’s international profile as a sports destination, the website adds.

Registration can be done on the event’s official website (granretto.com), and those interested in organizing their trip can contact Taino Tours (tainotours.com.mx).