Frequently Asked Questions

Accommodation, Flight and Transfers

2.7km and 1km Swim

The 18km Relay

General Swim Information

Shane Gould Swimming Foundation

Accommodation, Flight and Transfers

Where does everyone stay?

In general people coming to Fiji for the Fiji Swims spend their first night at a hotel or resort near the Nadi international airport (pronounced ‘Nandi’). We suggest either the 5 star Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa or the 4 star Tanoa Hotell.

The next day most people move to the islands and stay at either Beachcomber or Treasure Islands which are just 25 minutes by jet cat away.

Depending on the time your plane leaves it is normally a good idea to spend your last night back at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa or the Tanoa Hotel.

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Which airline should I fly?

It’s up to you but we suggest Air Pacific as it offers in flight entertainment, meals and the smiles from the Fijian crew is a great way to start your holiday.

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How do you get out to the islands?

It’s really easy! There are jet cats that travel daily from Port Denarau which is a 5 minute free shuttle bus from the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, or a 20 minute free shuttle bus from Mocambo Hotel. When you arrive at the port it is an easy process.

If you need to get a speed boat to get to and from islands quickly, they are easy to organize but quite expensive.

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The 2.7km and 1km Swims

Where do you swim in each of the 2.7km and 1km Fiji Swim races?

The 2.7km Fiji Swim begins at the Nukuasiga Sandbar and takes a 2.7km course back to Beachcomber Island.

The 1km Fiji Swim starts at Treasure Island crossing the channel between Treasure and Beachcomber Island before reaching Beachcomber Island. Participants are welcome to wear fins.

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How long does it take to swim the 2.7km and 1km Fiji Swims?

- 2.7km Fiji Swim – somewhere between 30minutes and 1 hour.

- 1km Fiji Swim – somewhere between 13 minutes and 35 minutes.

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What is the cost of registration?

Registration for Fijian Swimmers is $20 FJ

Registration for International swimmers is $100A

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Can I wear fins in the 2.7km Fiji Swim?

Fins are not an option in the 2.7km Fiji Swim. Swimmers should consider taking part in the 1km if they would like to wear fins.

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When is the deadline to enter the 1km and 2.7km swims?

Registrations are opened up until 10am on the day of the swim. However please keep in mind, if you are an international swimmer to take advantage of the discounted swimmer accommodation rates you must register before you come to Fiji.

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The 18km Relay

Where do you swim in the 18km Relay?

The 18km Relay starts directly in front of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island and finishes 18km later on Beachcomber Island. Each team of 5 is to be accompanied by a boat and kayak for the distance, with each team choosing when to rotate swimmers. Swimmers may also choose to swim the 18km solo or as a duo

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How long does it take to swim the 18km solo or in a team?

Somewhere between four and six hours. Our record time for the relay is 3:55:02 held by Safe at Heights: No We're Team Queensland. Our solo record is 4:56:44 held by Douglas Miller of Fiji.

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What is the best date to arrive to be ready for the Relay on Thursday 13 August?

It is best to arrive on Tuesday 11 August to allow yourself a little time to get used to Fiji time as the Relay starts very early on the Thursday morning. That said, there is no problem arriving on 12 August, the day before the race.

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What is the cost of registration?

The registration cost for the Relay is a separate cost from the Saturday swims.

International Swimmers $100 AUD

For local Fijians $20 FJD

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How do you go about putting relay teams together?

If you have a team of five people we will find you a kayak and two kayakers and recommend a boat to charter.

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What happens if I don’t have a relay team of five organised?

We will almost certainly be able to put you into a team of others looking for additional swimmers to make up their team of five. Last year we had three teams made up of swimmers who asked them to find a team for them.

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What if I don’t know anyone to organise Escort Boats and Kayakers for the Relay?

We will allocate you a kayak and kayakers for your team and put you in contact with boats available for charter.

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When is the deadline to enter the 18km Relay?

All Relay participants must be registered by 3 August 2009.

General Swim Information

Do I need to be a very strong swimmer to compete?

No, any reasonably strong swimmer is able to complete the 1km Treasure Island to Beachcomber Island Swim, especially as we allow you to use fins if you want.

It is great fun swimming along side some of the all time greats of international swimming such as Natalie Coughlin, Shane Gould, John Konrads, Danyon Loader, Murry Rose and Debbie Meyer and Fiji’s five time Olympian Carl Probert but you do not have to swim at this level to participate. Last year we had swimmers as young as seven years old competing and several over seventy years old.

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Am I capable of swimming in the ocean?

If you are a reasonably strong swimmer you will not experience any more difficulty swimming in the ocean as compared to a swimming pool. If you are unsure we will be having an easy preparation swim between Treasure Island and Beachcomber Island on Friday 14 August.

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What are the general water conditions like in Fiji?

Beautiful! Generally the water is warm, clear and very to relatively calm with little or no chop or swell.

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What happens in the event of bad weather?

If the weather is so bad as to be dangerous we will postpone the race and hold it the next day. This is very unlikely at this time of year.

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What are the water safety management procedures for the Fiji Swims?

Three senior members of North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney, Australia (NBSLSC) come to Fiji to manage our water safety for the Fiji Swims.

In 2006 NBSLSC donated an inflatable rubber boat to Beachcomber Island for use during the Fiji Swims with the two club members coming to Fiji the week before the events to train the staff of our resort partners in water safety. They are joined in monitoring all of the swimmers during the race by the staff of Subsurface, the scuba diving and water sports company located on Beachcomber and Treasure Islands and Adrenalin Water Sports located at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.

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Can I compete in all events?

It is possible to compete in the Relay on Thursday13 August, followed by either the 1km or the 2.7km swim on Saturday 15 August, followed an hour or so later by the ‘Beach to Boat to Bar’ race of 250m.

The 1km and 2.7km races are held at the same time.

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How do I register for any of the events.

Registrations can be made by downloading a form from www.fijiswims.com

This form can be emailed, mailed or faxed to:
david@bathtubproductions.com
Fax: +61 2 8399 2322 or
Mail: PO Box 300, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010.

Alternatively if you don’t have access to the website please call and request a registration form today
on + 61 2 8399 0233.

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Do I need to wear a swimming cap?

We will provide you with a swimming cap. For safety reasons, so that you are easily spotted while swimming, it is necessary for all swimmers to wear swimming caps.

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Are the pre race dinners compulsory?

No but great fun and a good way of getting to meet others.

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Can the whole family take part, including the kids?

The whole family is more than welcome to participate in the event if you are all reasonable swimmers. Our youngest competitor to date was a seven year old girl in the 1km swim.

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Shane Gould Swimming Foundation

How do I donate or find out more about the Shane Gould Swimming Foundation?

Donations can be made by contacting the Bathtub Productions office on 61 2 8399 0233.

To find out more about what the Shane Gould Swimming Foundation does please visit the Fiji Swims website www.fijiswims.com which has a section dedicated to the foundation.

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