Mexican Open Water Natural Beauty

The last race on the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix circuit takes place in Chiapas, Mexico on October 18th. This extraordinary 15K race cuts through the incredibly scenic Sumidero Canyon (Cañon Sumidero) along the Grijalva River.



The race ends at the Chicoasen hydroelectric dam. The swimmers are treated to a spectacular journey along the serene river with the canyon walls towering above them inside a Ecological Park. Despite the serenity of the park, the racing between the pro swimmers has traditionally been competitive and exciting. As the last race on the annual FINA circuit, FINA Grand Prix points and rankings are up for grabs, creating a great competition.




The week before the Sumidero 15K FINA Grand Prix, the last FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup is held in Cancun, Mexico on October 11th. Race Director Omar Diaz organizes both races on behalf of the Federacion Mexicana de Natacion and FINA. The host hotel is the beautiful Oasis Palm Beach hotel.

After a long professional marathon swim season that began in Brazil, traversed to Argentina, Italy, Dubai, Portugal, Serbia, Macedonia, Canada, Seville, Hong Kong and Singapore, with a brief Olympic stop in Beijing, the circuit ends with two beautiful swims in Mexico.

Photos by Dr. Jim Miller.