
Global endurance swimming event comes to Sabah
KOTA KINABALU (Oct 6): OCEANMAN, the world’s premier open-water swimming endurance event, is set to debut in Sabah with the inaugural OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu.
This prestigious competition will take place on October 5 and 6 in the stunning waters of Pantai Dalit, Tuaran, off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.
OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu will challenge swimmers of all ages and abilities to test their limits against the backdrop of the breathtaking Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu’s coastline.
The event will feature a range of distances, including the Sprint 2km, 5km, 10km 500-metre relay race, as well as the OCEANKIDS 500-metre race, catering to swimmers of all levels.
Participants can expect a unique and unforgettable experience, swimming in crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush tropical landscapes.
The event will also showcase the beauty and diversity of Sabah’s marine life and ecosystems.
“We are thrilled to bring OCEANMAN to Sabah for the first time,” said Jose Luis Larrosa Chorro, General Manager of OCEANMAN Global.
“Kota Kinabalu offers an incredible setting for this world-class event, and we are confident that it will be a resounding success,” Chorro added.
OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu is expected to attract swimmers from around the world and local swimming enthusiasts, challenging them to test their swimming capabilities in an open water setting, as opposed to within the constraints of a swimming pool.
The event, expected to welcome 1,333 participants per series, will also contribute to the local economy and tourism industry.
“We are organising an exciting, enjoyable open water swimming series under a cleverly branded umbrella for swimmers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds,” says Azura Zainol Abidin, Event Director of OCEANMAN Malaysia.
“This event is perfect for a ‘swimcation’ with the whole family. The support from Tourism Malaysia and Sabah Tourism Board will be instrumental in making the OCEANMAN event a mainstay as a Sabah event.
Hopefully, OCEANMAN will offer an exciting new experience for the Vist Malaysia Year 2026,” she concluded.
In his speech during the welcome dinner, Julinus Jeffery Jimit, the CEO of Sabah Tourism Board said, “I believe OCEANMAN will help propel Sabah’s reputation as a leading sports tourism destination. As the host venue for these three years (2024-2026), we are excited about the potential this event holds for positioning Sabah as a prime destination for sports tourism.
On top of its strong camaraderie and community spirit, OCEANMAN is also proven to be an inclusive sporting event. The youngest competitor in OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu is only seven years old while the oldest is over 70 years old. In addition to that, OCEANMAN also has the Inspiration Category for swimmers with disabilities.
The OCEANMAN World Series event is the largest open-water event in the world. For the Malaysian chapter at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, OCEANMAN Malaysia has targeted participants from Thailand, Taiwan, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore.
In addition to the participation of 202 swimmers, coming from 24 countries around the world, this debut event in Sabah also expected about 1,500 spectators.
OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu 2024 is organised by Tough Gorilla Ventures with support from the Sabah Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia and Shangri-la Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu as the co-sponsors. OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu is also a qualifying event for the 2024 World Championship in Dubai, for which the top 10 swimmers in each category will qualify.
-Agenci