San Ginés Open Water Swim
Lanzarote's oldest open water swim, from La Rocar to the yacht club, during the San Ginés festival in Arrecife.
Event information
About the event
The San Ginés Open Water Swim is the oldest swimming race in Lanzarote. The Real Club Náutico de Arrecife has run it for three decades as part of the island capital’s patron saint festival, and in 2026 it reaches its 31st edition on Saturday 22 August.
This is not one of the long crossings. You swim inside Arrecife bay, in sheltered water, and the main distance is 1,200 metres. That makes it the way into the island circuit for people who have never raced in open water.
Course and distances
The start is on La Rocar beach and the finish is on the Real Club Náutico esplanade, next to the Arrecife casino. Four distances by age category:
- 1,200 m: Infantil, Junior and Master
- 800 m: Alevín
- 400 m: Benjamín
- 100 m: Prebenjamín
More than 200 swimmers started in 2025.
Entry and places
The field is capped at 350. Entries opened on 2 August 2026 through Sportmaniacs and are no longer accepting new swimmers.
The start time is the one detail we are not treating as settled: the 2025 edition started at 13:00, and one source gives 09:00 for 2026. Before you travel, confirm it with the club at deportes@rcna.es or on +34 928 81 49 61.
It counts towards the Cup
This is the second stage of the 12th Lanzarote Open Water Cup 2026, a five-swim series. Anyone chasing the overall standings needs to swim several, not just this one.
Who won in 2025
In the 30th edition, starting from La Rocar:
- Men: Herminio Hernández (Nadamas) 15:11, Hugo Rijo (C.E. Mediterrani) 15:49, Saúl Escarabajal (C.T. Diablillos de Rivas) 15:50
- Women: Naira Jaén (Nadamas) 16:38, Lily Gopar (Nadamas) 17:16, Nora Delgado (Nadamas) 17:56
In the younger categories, Aitana Fraga and Xoan Pachón won the benjamín race, and Juan José Ramos and Katia Pérez the alevín.
Planning your race
It is swum in the middle of August in bay water, so the heat weighs on you more before and after than in the water itself. The finish is on the Arrecife seafront promenade, which makes it one of the easiest races on the island to watch: parking is close, there is shade, and you see the finish from dry land.
Event gallery
Images from the race, route and event atmosphere.
Practical information
Distances, route, price, services and organiser information for the event.
Distances
- 1,200 m
- 800 m
- 400 m
- 100 m
Route
- Distance
- 1.200 m
- Start
- Playa de La Rocar, Arrecife
- Finish
- Explanada del Real Club Náutico de Arrecife
Price
Pricing information will be added once it is confirmed.
Athlete services
- Official timing
- Trophies and medals by category
- Counts towards the Open Water Cup
Organiser
Real Club Náutico de Arrecife
