The open water swimming competition will bring together more than 4,000 athletes and representatives from more than 100 countries, with races up to 10 kilometers, relays and children's categories
SANTO DOMINGO– The Dominican Republic will host the 2026 OCEANMAN World Championship Finals, welcoming delegations to this international open water swimming competition. The event will bring together more than 4,000 athletes and participants from over 100 countries from November 9-15 in Miches, El Seibo province.
The event, sponsored primarily by the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, seeks to bring together swimmers of different nationalities in endurance and speed challenges in the sea, as well as to boost sports tourism and promote the natural attractions of this destination in the eastern region.
The competition will include six sporting events for different categories and levels of competition. The main event, OCEANMAN, will cover a 10-kilometer course; Half OCEANMAN will be five kilometers long, while Sprint will be two kilometers.
The program also includes OceanKids, a 500-meter race for children, and OceanTeams, a relay race in which three members will each swim 500 meters.
The program will also feature an elite event, in which top swimmers from the international rankings will participate.
Open water swimming takes place in natural environments, such as seas, lakes, and rivers, rather than conventional swimming pools. For this reason, competitors must adapt to the conditions of the water, including waves, currents, and navigation during the swim.
Although the general activities will run from November 9 to 15, the main tests are scheduled for the 13th, 14th and 15th of that month.
Highlights tourism potential
Erika Sordo, senior director of Marketing and Communications at Viva Resorts by Wyndham, where the event will take place, stated that the selection of the establishment as host represents an achievement for the resort, which is approaching its second anniversary of operations.
"The selection of Viva Miches as the host hotel for the 2026 OCEANMAN World Championship Final represents an extraordinary achievement, especially as we approach the resort's second anniversary," he said.
Sordo pointed out that the event demonstrates Miches' potential to attract travelers interested in sports and recreational activities, and also reflects the company's commitment to the area's tourism growth.
"This event reflects the enormous potential of Miches as a destination and reaffirms our commitment to supporting sports, wellness and active experiences that contribute to the tourism development of the region, in line with Viva's core values, which include sports and recreational activities," he added.
In addition to the aquatic challenges, OCEANMAN 2026 will offer social gatherings and cultural experiences for swimmers, their families, and foreign visitors.
In that context, Viva will host participants with an all-inclusive accommodation package, which includes lodging, food, recreation and entertainment.
"Hosting an event of this magnitude represents a valuable opportunity to showcase Miches to athletes, families, and travelers from all over the world," the executive stated.
Hosting the OCEANMAN 2026 World Final aims to strengthen Miches' position as a venue for international sporting competitions and to showcase its coastal landscapes and tourist infrastructure to visitors from more than 100 countries
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