Open water swimming enthusiasts from across the country, and this time from overseas too, will assemble at the Miramar beach in Panjim for a three-day miniOrange Aquamoga 2025 between February 21 and February 23. The last date for registrations is February 5, 2025.
The event, organised by Enduro Sports Goa (ESG), will see the return of the three-sport Goa Triathlon – an Olympic distance triathlon of 51.5 km involving 1.5 km of sea swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running.
The Goa Triathlon was last held in 2018 at Goa’s Bambolim beach. The venue has been shifted to Miramar due to the receding high tide line (HTL), which has almost submerged Bambolim Beach.
The sports event will also witness the debut of Goa Aquathlon – a two-sport format of 1.5 km of sea swimming and 10 km of running. This section has been added to cater to those who want to participate without cycling.
Besides these two, miniOrange Aquamoga 2025 – which is an expression of love (moga) for water (aqua) – will also include Goa Swimathlon, which is being held annually since 2011 in Goa.
The event, organised by Enduro Sports Goa (ESG), will see the return of the three-sport Goa Triathlon – an Olympic distance triathlon of 51.5 km involving 1.5 km of sea swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of running.
This open water swimming event will be held on February 21 and February 22 and will feature 1 km, 2 km, 5 km and 10 km races, along with a 250-m splash-and-dash, 'un-timed fun swim' that is open to participants of 8 years and above.
Goa Open Water Swimming Club (GOWSC) trainer, Nicole Pavri, who recently organised the first and longest 20-km coastal swim event – The Coastal Odyssey – in South Goa has assisted ESG in planning the open water swim routes.
Elias Patel, director, ESG, said they were expecting around 700 participants and revealed that of those already registered, there were quite a few international participants from countries like Belgium, Netherlands, France, US, Sri Lanka, Canada and Australia.
“We have (already got) 550 (registrations), and we are expecting at least 150 more. We should be looking at around 700 (participants) over the course of three days,” he said.
Today, Goa Swimathlon, which began in 2011, alone attracts over 1,000 swimmers from across India.
Today, Goa Swimathlon, which began in 2011, alone attracts over 1,000 swimmers from across India.
Safety and emergency medical is of paramount importance. “As far sea support is concerned, we have Drishti Marine. We have a full team of lifeguards, jet skis and rescue boards. We don’t conduct any events without them. There are also ambulance and 911 teams. Our hospital partner is Manipal Hospital, which is closest to the event,” said the ESG executive.
The event, which is supported by the Department of Tourism, will also have activities like nature walks, frisbee competition, yoga and others on the sidelines for spectators and those accompanying participants from across the country.
“The idea is that it is not only for the athletes or the participants, but for others, too. We need to give something to them as well so that they go back feeling they have celebrated Goa, celebrated the sea and sand,” said Michele Gouveia, co-founder, ESG.
Additionally, miniOrange Aquamoga is also promoting the coral adoption project of the Coastal Impact, an NGO focused on marine conservation, education and research. It is doing this by offering a discount on registration cost to those donating to the 'healthy ocean' cause by adopting corals in Goa’s Grand Island.
The open water swimming and multi-sports marathons will have no cash prizes. The organisers will distribute trophies and goody bags to the winners.
The open water swimming and multi-sports marathons will have no cash prizes. The organisers will distribute trophies and goody bags to the winners.
People living within a radius of 1 km of the route – areas along the coastline from the University Road to the Ferry Point – can avail of discounted ticket prices.
“People living along the route are being kind and generous enough to let us use their space for the sport. We would like to offer something in return. So, they have discounted ticket prices,” said Pavri.
The car park opposite Crescent Hotel in Miramar has been marked as transition area for the bikers, from where they cycle past the Jack Sequeira statue and get on to the University Road and reach the GMC Super Speciality Centre.
The two turning points for the bikers to loop around three times are the GMC Super Speciality Centre and Nobert’s Gym at Mathias Ocean Park in Dona Paula. After which, they return to Miramar beach.
The runners will take off from the Miramar Circle, reach the Campal swimming pool and turn inside to the promenade and go up to the Ferry Point.
