RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - With Bali’s iconic coastline as its backdrop, the Oceanman Bali 2026 open water swimming competition is set to return after a two-year hiatus, drawing 900 swimmers from 27 countries to Pantai Kedonganan from June 19–21.

The event, themed Waves of Change, has quickly become one of the most anticipated series in the international calendar, combining athletic competition with a boost to local tourism.

“This phenomenon shows the growing global interest in open water swimming," Oceanman Indonesia Chairman Wibowo Suseno Wirjawan said in an official statement on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"With Bali’s iconic seascape and challenging swim routes, Oceanman Bali is one of the most sought-after series internationally. Beyond the sporting competition, the presence of hundreds of international participants also brings direct impact to the tourism sector,” Wibowo added.

Having previously been held in 2021, 2022, and 2023, the event has seen a 30 percent increase in participants compared to its last edition.

This year’s competition features six categories designed for different skill levels and age groups: Oceankids 500M, Oceanteams 3x500M, Oceanfins 2KM, Ocean Sprint 2KM, Half Oceanman 5KM, and the flagship Oceanman 10KM.

Organizers hope the variety of categories will allow both beginners and professionals to experience the thrill of open water swimming while enjoying Bali’s natural beauty.

“Managing more than 900 participants in open waters is a complex challenge, covering safety, supervision, and natural conditions such as currents and waves. Oceanman Bali 2026 is not only a competition but also a large-scale event held to international standards,” Oceanman Co-Founder Felix Sutanto.

The event is more than a race; it serves as a meeting point for professional athletes and water sports enthusiasts from around the world. Among the participants are rising Indonesian swimmer Joe Aditya, who is making strides nationally and internationally, and public figure Desmond Sutanto, both of whom see Oceanman as a platform to test their abilities and inspire the wider community.

Registered participants hail from 27 countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia, India, Russia, Japan, Thailand, the United States, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Hungary, Qatar, South Korea, Maldives, Taiwan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. ***