CUBA

SWIMMING & COMPETITION · April 2-9, 2018

Cuba: the no longer forbidden fruit of the Caribbean! As of July 20, 2015, the freedom to travel to this colorful landscape has returned to us amid new diplomacy, so we were proud to lead the first swim trip to the island, as we are invited by the Cuban Swim Federation to participate in a series of open water competitions. And we had such a good time, we're coming back!

During our week there, we'll competing on iconic Old Havana and sample Cuban culture as well as participate in daily swim clinics. We are invited by the Cuban Swimming Federation to participate in a series of competitive swims in the open water and see their professional swimmers and water players at their best. Participation in the competition is optional but don't miss out on the opportunity to compete in Cuba!

Next Cuba swim April 23-28, 2019 organized

by  Water World Swim Chile. 

SWIMMING IN CUBA

Enjoy daily swimming of 1-5km in the Caribbean and the big competition finale.
Leave the wetsuit at home - you won't need it in tropical water.

Lodging at Hotel Copacabana in Havana (included in your registration fee) features a "sea pool" in addition to a regular pool!

DETAILS

Pricing for upcoming trips to be announced.

  • Price
    $450.00  U.S. 
  • 23 al 28 de abril, 2019DailyPrecio:
    $450.00 USD 
  • April 23- 28, 2019
  • Daily Swim sessions in La Habana & Varadero
  • Competitions -Welcome and Inauguration: Thu.April 25
  • Swim Competitions: 25-27 April
  • Swims and Polo exhibitions: Sáturday 27 y Sunday 28th
  • Open Water Competition: Sunday, April 28

INCLUDED

  • Paid registrations to all team Water World Swim Chile
  • Commemorative T-shirts and swim caps
  • International Membership
  • Register of times on different swims on our website.
  • Certificate of swim completion

NOT INCLUDED

  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Airfare
  • Anything not specified
  • Credit card usage fees
  • Lodging ( Lodging recommendations available)
  • Personalized Tours
  • Dinners

Due to changing diplomatic relations and Cuba's changing economy, all information presented on this page subject to change.

What is Water World Swim International Membership?
An amazing thing to have, that's what! By completing an international swim with us (or, by coming from abroad to complete a swim in the San Francisco bay with us), you are automatically a WWS International Member. This privilege grants you 15% off any swim or trip with us and your swimmer profile on our website where we will store your times and achievements for all to see!

What if I am already a regular WWS member? If you have both regular and international memberships, you'll enjoy the international benefits with the regular membership benefits, like 30% off Monthly Alcatraz and most annual events, and free Swim With Pedro. The discounts cannot be combined.

COMPETE IN UNFORGETTABLE CUBA

Be part of this historical journey! You can bring along friends & family.
Non-swimmers will also have a blast.
From colorful architecture to retro cars, Cuba's character will fill you with amor!

ITINERARY FROM APRIL 2018 TRIP

DATE TBA: El Morro

  • Welcome Airport at 11:00 a.m.
  • Transfer and lodging at Copacabana hotel (3 nights)
  • Briefing Event (Organization, and/or possible changes)
    • Swimming Training Natural Pool (Clinic) at 3:00 p.m.
    • Dinner: Paladar San Cristóbal or VIP havana at 6:00 p.m.
  • Visit Morro-Cabaña (Cannon Shot Ceremony at 8 pm)
  • Briefing, and to rest time hotel.

DATE TBA: Old Havana

  • Breakfast (hotel).
  • Open Water Swimming (Marina Hemingway) 8:30 a.m.
  • Visit Old Havana and Snack, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Swimming on Natural Pool, 4:00 p.m.
  • Dinner on Santa Barbara, Vedado
  • Briefing, and to rest time hotel.

DATE TBA: Santa Maria del Mar Beach, East La Havana.

  • Breakfast (hotel).
  • Open Water Swimming (Santa Maria del Mar, East La Havana), 9:00 a.m.
  • Tour Havana on old cars, finish in Artesanal Market, 11:30 to 3:00 p.m.
  • Swim & training on natural pool, 4:00 p.m.
  • Dinner (private restaurant) Fabrica Arte, 6:00 p.m.
  • Optional: Visit National Hotel / walk to malecon avenue.
  • Briefing, to rest time hotel.

DATE TBA: Int'l Masters Swimming Club, Varadero.

  • Early breakfast (finish at 7:00 am)
  • Transfer La Havana - Matanzas - Varadero Beach.
  • Stop Bacunayagua Bridge (quickly snack, panoramic view)
  • Swimming: Club Cocodrilo del Tenis, Bahia Matanzas (Rogelio club coach, and WWS Califiornia coaches.
  • Transfer to Varadero, check in and accommodation in Hotel.
  • Lunch hotel
  • Inauguration event masters swimmers 3 pm
  • Diner hotel…..night activities.
  • Briefing and to rest time hotel.

DATE TBA: Masters Competition 

  • Early breakfast (finish at 7 am)
  •  Transfer Pool competition Area with Open Water Swimming Club
  • Cocodrilo del Tenis, to go to Matanzas (Area Playa Tenis, Bahia Matanzas)
  • Snack Varadero Town or Snack Matanzas
  • Diner hotel…..night activities
  •  Briefing and to rest time hotel.

DATE TBA: Masters Competition (Varadero)

  • Early Breakfast 8 am
  • Transfer Pool competition Area with Open Water wimming Club Cocodrilo
    del Tenis, to go to swim Playa Varadero.
  • Lunch hotel / Snack Varadero Town /
  • Diner hotel…..night activities.
  • Briefing and to rest time hotel.

DATE TBA: Open Water Masters Competition (Varadero)

  • Bright Early breakfast 6 am (check up w hotel to eat ly earbreakfast)
  • Medical check, registration, and marking. 7 am
  • Competition (Open Water Swim 3K-5K, Varadero Beach) 9 am
  • Final ceremony competition (party with Cuban swimmers)
  • Lunch hotel, and check up w hotel) 2 pm
  • Transfer to La Havana. Accommodation hotel Copacabana. 4 pm
  •  Dinner L’Atelier Paladar, and free time to celebrate. 8 pm

TBA: Depart / See you next year!

  • Bright early breakfast at hotel, depending on flight time
  • Transfer to International Airport
  • Flight Back to USA

HOW WE CAN TRAVEL TO CUBA

Diplomatic relations are now normalizing, and the US Embassy has reopened! Nearly everything regarding travel to Cuba has changed. We are able to go as a group for the purpose of cultural exchange/sport, sharing our love of swimming with Cuban swimmers.

For our first trip and now our second, we have an official invite from the Cuban Swimming Federation to participate in competition. All travelers must have this invite in order to get their visa and get through passport control, as it gives us permission to visit as a part of a sporting group. We'll give you a copy of the one relevant to your trip before you go (this is from an older trip and is not applicable to current ones).

Keeping our trips eco-friendly
Water World Swim respects the natural environment. Leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but photos! We are committed to social and environmental responsibility and practices that minimize our presence and impact to sea life and the natural habitat.

MARINE LIFE & SAFETY

Marine Life Disclaimer
Swimming off Cuba is an amazing experience, but you need to be aware of potential challenges. We will minimize potential challenges and will brief you on how to responsibly interact with marine life. Our escort boats are equipped to treat the most common minor issues. However, it is your responsibility to contact us prior to booking if you suffer from Anaphylaxis or other medical conditions and allergies. You should seek medical attention if you develop any infection following contact with the above. We recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance.

Disclaimer
The safety of our swimmers, and environmental responsibility are the two priorities for Water World Swim. For safety reasons we rely on decent weather conditions during all swim crossings. Open water swimming requires an inherent degree of flexibility. The planned itinerary may change. This adds to the uniqueness of each tour!

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TRIP?