Boracay is preparing for a different kind of tourism surge as the world-famous island shifts its focus from beaches and leisure to athletic competition.
The country’s premier island destination will become the center of Southeast Asian open water swimming when it hosts the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Championship from August 21 to 23, giving the Philippines its first opportunity to stage the regional competition.
Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, the event will take place off Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan, a 150-hectare tourism estate developed by real estate giant Megaworld. The championship is expected to showcase not only the region’s top swimmers but also Boracay’s potential as a world-class sports tourism destination.
“Indonesia had its Bali, Thailand had its Pattaya, and now the Philippines has Boracay to be proud of,” said Eric Buhain, the Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary general.
Organizers are preparing for a strong turnout, with around 200 athletes expected to compete in the official medal events featuring the men’s and women’s 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer races. The swimmers will navigate a 1.66-kilometer square course inside the island’s cove, with races scheduled during the cooler early morning hours to provide better conditions for competitors.
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Boracay will host the 4th SEA Open Water Championships on Aug. 21-23, welcoming eight nations in the Philippines’ first staging of the regional meet. #SEAOpenWaterChampionships #Boracay
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The championship is also expected to attract broader participation beyond the main medal categories. PAI executive director Anthony Reyes said several countries from the Southeast Asian Swimming Federation have already confirmed their entries.
“They are Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and of course, host Philippines,” Reyes said.
With regional participation growing, Philippine Aquatics believes the event can become a major step toward expanding open water swimming in the country while promoting Boracay as a destination capable of hosting international sporting events.
“This sporting event not only advances the growth of open water swimming in Southeast Asia, but also shines a spotlight on Boracay island as a true gem of the region, while reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people,” said PH Aquatics president Michael Vargas.
Beyond the championship races, organizers are also expecting more swimmers to join the open water festival categories, particularly the 3-kilometer and 5-kilometer distances that will run alongside the official competition.
“But we can expect more participants in the open water festival in the 3 and 5-kilometer distances that will coincide with the regular meet, so the numbers will swell, which is in keeping with PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio’s sports tourism advocacy,” added the former national swimming standout.
As the Philippines prepares for its regional hosting debut, organizers are making safety a priority. Buhain and Reyes said extensive measures have been arranged to ensure a smooth three-day competition, including the deployment of lifeguards, life rafts, medical teams, and support personnel positioned throughout the race area.
The event is expected to be more than just a swimming competition—it will serve as a showcase of how sports can bring international attention to one of the Philippines’ most iconic islands.
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