Cook Islands Aquatics Federation (CIAF) is planning to host its first international open-water swimming event next year in March, with another planned for September/October 2025.

Romani Katoa, president of Cook Islands Aquatics Federation and the vice president of the Oceania Aquatics Board of Directors, says both of the open-water swimming events next year are already attracting significant international interest, including stop-over events in Rarotonga.

“We have interest already from Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia and NZ for next year’s event in March 2025,” said Katoa.

In a bid to prepare for these international events, John West from World Aquatics delivered an Open Water Swimming Development Workshop earlier this month at Tamanu Resort in Aitutaki. This workshop is part of the Cook Islands Aquatics’ development initiatives.

Eight participants from Aitutaki and Rarotonga attended the workshop.

During the workshop, the Cook Islands Aquatics Federation reviewed several locations with varying distances and suitable conditions for the proposed international events, including Tekapoa, Akaiami, Motu Rakau, Motu Rapota, Motu Angarei to Ootu, and from One Foot Island to Honeymoon Island.

According to West, the workshop covered the rules of the sport and provided details for organising a competition as well as safety elements that must be provided to ensure the safety of participants during their competition.

“A key goal of these workshops is to increase the knowledge of local officials and administrators about the requirements for hosting and conducting Open Water competitions to a high standard, consistent with World Aquatics practices, and with due consideration to safety and risk management in their conduct,” he said.

“It’s important not just to consider what needs to be done, but also the best ways to deliver that in each local environment.”

Katoa added: “The workshop focused on the administrative aspects and delivers high-quality World Aquatics-certified events in partnership with Oceania Aquatics as part of our long-term strategic goals of raising the profile for more Pacific countries to host high-level international and regional events.”

He said the main objectives of the workshop were to:

• Equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver World Aquatics-certified open-water swimming events.
• Focus on the administrative and logistical aspects crucial for running high-level competitions.
• Develop a clear framework for integrating the Cook Islands into the broader Oceania Aquatics event calendar.
• Foster collaboration between CIAF, World Aquatics, and regional stakeholders to promote long-term sustainability and growth of the sport.

Key initiatives that were introduced include:

• A capacity-building programme for local officials to ensure they meet the requirements of World Aquatics standards.
• Development of a sustainable open-water swimming series that leverages the natural beauty of the Cook Islands as a venue for international competitions.
• Partnership programmes aimed at attracting international athletes and teams to train and compete in the Cook Islands.
• Promotion of the Cook Islands as a key stop in the regional open-water swimming circuit, further supported by collaboration with Oceania Aquatics.

Oceania Aquatics will continue to guide Cook Islands Aquatics Federation in their activities with advice and support to assist them in delivering safe and well organised events in the Cook Islands next year and in coming years.

This initiative is supported by Air Rarotonga, Tamanu Resort, ANZ Bank, Oceania Aquatics, World Aquatics and CIAF.