Historic competition debuts in Conakry this November, marking the beginning of a pan-African aquatics revolution
CONAKRY, GUINEA – Africa Aquatics is set to make waves across the continent with the launch of the Africa Open Water Swimming Cup, a pioneering championship designed to elevate open water swimming and showcase Africa's finest aquatic talent on an international stage.
The inaugural event will take place from November 28-30, 2025, at the scenic SORRO Island tourist site in Conakry, Guinea, marking the beginning of what organizers envision as a transformative annual circuit for African swimming.
A Vision for Continental Excellence
The Africa Cup represents a bold new chapter in African aquatics, combining elite competition with mass participation events to promote open water swimming across the continent. While 2025 will feature a single stage, Africa Aquatics has ambitious plans to expand the competition into a four-stage circuit, with each leg hosted in different African zones: North, West, East, and Southern Africa.
"The participation of the best African swimmers in each stage contributes to the promotion of the competition and the development of open water swimming throughout our continent," organizers stated, emphasizing the championship's developmental mission.
Elite Competition Meets Spectacular Prize Money
The three-day competition promises world-class racing with substantial financial rewards for Africa's top swimmers:
Elite Events Include:
- Day 1: 5km Men's and Women's races
- Day 2: 3km Sprint Men's and Women's events (featuring innovative heat, semifinal, and final format)
- Day 3: 4x1500m Mixed Relay
Prize Purse: Individual event winners will claim $1,000 USD, with second and third place earning $750 and $500 respectively. The relay competition offers even more impressive rewards, with the winning team taking home $2,500 USD.
Open to Africa's Best
Any swimmer aged 14 or older and licensed with an Africa Aquatics member federation can compete. Countries may enter unlimited swimmers per event, though events require a minimum of ten swimmers from at least four different nations to proceed.
The competition will be conducted under World Aquatics technical rules, with Africa Aquatics Bureau members and the Technical Committee maintaining full oversight to ensure international standards.
Beyond Elite Competition
In collaboration with the Guinea Aquatics Federation, mass participation events will run alongside elite races throughout the three competition days, creating an inclusive celebration of open water swimming that welcomes athletes of all levels.
Two official training days will precede the competition, with mandatory technical meetings scheduled 24 hours before racing begins.
Entry Information
National federations must submit:
- Preliminary entries: by October 31, 2025
- Final entry lists: by November 15, 2025
All entries must be submitted through National Member Federations of Africa Aquatics to both the Organizing Committee and the Secretary General.
Building Africa's Aquatic Future
The Africa Open Water Swimming Cup represents more than just competition—it's a commitment to developing aquatic sports infrastructure, elevating African swimmers to global prominence, and creating sustainable pathways for athletic excellence across the continent.
As Africa Aquatics launches this historic championship, the organization extends an open invitation to all member federations to ensure strong participation from their best swimmers, helping to establish this competition as a cornerstone of African aquatic sports.
For more information about entries and competition details, contact:
- Organizing Committee, Guinea Aquatics Federation
- Secretary General, Africa Aquatics
Follow the journey: Africa Aquatics will announce future host cities and dates for the expanded four-stage circuit following the successful completion of the Conakry inaugural event.
Read official communique here: africa-aquatics-open-water-swimming-cup
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