Former FINA Race in Mexico Joins The Global Swim Series

Lots of people are familiar with the incredible “Mayan Riviera” for its natural beauty and affordable, luxury hotels.  Well what would you say to doing a world class open water swim race held in the Mayan Riviera… this February?!

You’d probably say: “I’m in!!!” … or at least you are more likely to say that as the winter starts rolling in (for those of us in the northern hemisphere anyway!).

Well such a race has existed for over 10 years and it is theRuta del Arrecife (The Reef Route).  This is a world class race, and 2013 it was a FINA Grand Prix race, but this year it will be part of the Global Swim Series and will be used as the qualifying race for the Mexican open water Olympic Team!

Don’t worry though, all 600+ people in the race won’t be looking to qualify for Rio!  There will still be lots of regular swimmers who love the idea of swimming in the beautiful Caribbean sea and think that the opportunity to swim against (or at least, with) some of the fastest open water swimmers in the world, would be fun!

The race is called the Ruta del Arrecife or The Reef Route, for good reason.  You swim about 400 meters out and then swim along the second largest coral reef in the world!  The crystal clear water of the Caribbean sea allows you to watch the color and diversity of the fish in the reef… you could see all kinds of tropical fish, stingrays, star-fish and beautiful coral… a bit more interesting than a black line!

So plan for a great February swim get-away!  Check out the pictures of the beautiful Mayan Riviera and this amazing race!

Swimming news courtesy of Global Swim Series.