The Riviera Nayarit drives sports tourism with the first 2019 Open Water Series

• The La Cruz de Huanacaxtle-Bucerías crossing will be the first of four swimming events to take place in the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta over the course of a year.

The 1^st Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit Open Water series was created to generate sports tourism. This four-stage competition will be held on four different dates in Bahía de Banderas and is open to swimmers around the nation.

The event is organized by the ADD Life Deporte & Cultura civil association and has the support of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB), as well as the Government of the State of Nayarit via the state Ministry of Tourism.

During a press conference held on Wednesday, January 23^rd, the organizers shared they’re expecting the participation of at least 250 swimmers including triathletes, clubs, swim schools, and the general public for this first edition.

Jesús Carmona Jiménez, president of the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association, indicated this type of events generate extensive tourism promotion for the Riviera Nayarit by diversifying its activities. By the same token, these events highlight the very important work that takes place jointly with Puerto Vallarta.

Josef Amín Verduzco, president of ADD Life, said this series is meant to motivate local swimmers to participate both recreationally and competitively, as well as extend the call out on a national level to promote the sports and tourism that are inherent to this activity. Cristian Araiza, director of ADD Life, pointed out these high-octane events are made accessible to athletes thanks to the support and sponsorship of the aforementioned entities.

Also present at the press conference were Claudio Vallarta representing the Ministry of Tourism of the State of Nayarit in Bahía de Banderas, and Amador Hernández Madrigal, coordinator of the Puerto Vallarta Municipal Sports Council (Comude).

Series details

The 1^st Puerto Vallarta Riviera Nayarit Open Water Series will include four stages held in different areas of the Bahía de Banderas.

Stage 1 is the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle-Bucerías’ crossing on February 3^rd. Stage 2 will be in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, June 9^th with a crossing from the Garza Blanca hotel to Playa Palmares and back. Stage 3 will be in the Riviera Nayarit on Sunday, September 8^th with a circuit at the beach by the Etcétera Beach Club in Nuevo Vallarta. Last but not least, Stage 4 will take place in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, November 24^th, with a crossing from Playa del Oro (Grand Venetian) to the Puerto Vallarta boardwalk.

Categories and Distances

15 to 16 years | 17 to 19 years | 20 to 24 years | 25 to 29 years | 30 to 34 years | 35 to 39 years | 40 to 44 years | 45 to 49 years | 50 to 54 years |55 to 60 years |60 years and over | with a distance of 3,750 meters.

Recreational (All ages) 1,250 m

13 to 14 years (Youth) 1,250 m

11 to 12 años (Children B) 500 m

10 and under (Children A) 250 m

Among the clubs already confirmed for participation are Speed4, Caimanes Natación, Díaz Natación, Riverside School, Marlins Natación, Acuática Montero, Centro Acuático de Actividades Múltiples (CAAM), Platinum, Carril4tro, Aletas Doradas, Club Acuático Lobos y Vikingos, from Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Tijuana, Guanajuato, Sinaloa, Tepic, Mexico City and San Luis Potosí.

For more information and registration please visit their webpage at: www.addlife.mx

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The Open Water Series event is sponsored by the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit via the Tourism Promotion Trust (Fiprotur).