Oceanman Bali 2021 – the international ocean swimming event initially scheduled for 13-14 August 2021 has been moved to 10-11 September on Sanur Beach in Bali.
The rescheduling occurred due to the developing COVID-19 situation in Indonesia. Despite the delay, the chairman of Oceanman Bali 2021, Wibowo Suseno Wirjawan, has assured that the event is in a 100% state of readiness.
Speaking on Monday, 30 August 2021, Wibowo said: “Everything now is ready to go. 133 people are registered to participate, but registration remains open.”
Quoted by NusaBali.com, Wibowo said registration would remain open until 05 September 2021. The event chairman said a major obstacle confronting the event is travel access to Bali for participants, including air transportation to Bali. A case in point, two Russian swimmers, were prevented from traveling to Bali for the Oceanman Event due to current travel restrictions.
Four days before registration closes, 133 participants from 24 countries have registered to swim in Bali.
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy is actively supporting Oceanman Bali 2021. The Ministry has issued numerous invitations for participants to an event organized and founded by two former national swimming champions, Albert and Felix Susanto.
Oceanman Bali 2021 is a part of a series of ocean swims comprising the Oceanman Global Competition. Indonesia is one of 9 countries confirmed to act as hosts for regional Oceanman events.
The organizers and the Government are hopeful that the Oceanman Bali 2021 event conducted during the continuing pandemic will promote ocean swimming while also reinvigorating Indonesia’s tourism economy.
Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, both Susanto brothers are pleased with the enthusiastic support from participants and the Bali community for their event and Indonesian tourism in general.
Among those slated to participate in Oceanman Bali 2021 are national swimming champion and Bali native I Gede Siman Sudartawan and Fadlan Prawira, who has just returned from competition at the Tokyo Olympics.
Oceanman Bali 2021 will feature four categories determined by distance:
- Oceanman covering 10 kilometers.
- Half Oceanman covering 5 kilometers
- Sprint covering 2 kilometers
- Oceankids covering 1 kilometer
Overall winners and age category winners will be awarded medals. The Oceankids Category will be open for children between the ages of 7 and 14 years.
Participants arriving by air will need to follow vaccination and COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen testing completed before landing in Bali.
