Varadero, the ideal venue for the 3rd Gran Retto 2024 Open Water Crossing

By: Rachell Cowan Canino

“The water is the clearest I have ever seen”; “It was a pleasant circuit” ; “The environmental conditions are enviable”; “Not even in Cozumel have I swum with so much peace”; these were just some of the considerations of the athletes who participated this weekend in the 3rd Gran Retto 2024 Open Water Crossing in Varadero.

The beautiful beach, located in the province of Matanzas in Cuba, is positioned as one of the best in the world, and the Mexican company Gran Retto – specialized in the organization of sporting events – knows this well, since for the second time it chose the island’s main sun and beach destination as its venue.

The Cuban Ministry of Tourism, Cubadeportes, the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) and the incoming agencies Havanatur S.A. and Taino Tours joined forces for this adventure.

But what was behind an event like this? The validation of Cuba as a destination for sporting events; the experience of the agencies to provide products and services to travelers on a temporary basis for tourism activities; as well as the organizational potential of the entities associated with INDER and Mintur.

In addition, for the new participants, the opportunity to learn about Cuban culture, idiosyncrasy, the warmth that characterizes the people and the beauty of this tourist destination.

This is how the organizers defined the event on their social networks: “Our 3rd Open Water Crossing in Varadero Cuba was a success. Thank you very much champions for infecting us with your joy and excitement to fulfill one more Gran Retto. Cuba, we love you very much, thank you for the welcome offered each competitor, we are already excited to meet again in 2025.”

According to Luis Mario Villareal, general director of Gran Retto, on this occasion 80% of last year’s participants repeated the event. “In the year 2025, we expect this number to be higher (September 11 to 15), as we wish to add a group of recreational activities, accompanied by more competitions.”

The 3rd Open Water Crossing brought together more than 400 participants from Argentina, Spain, the United States, Guatemala, Peru, the Bahamas, Mexico and Cuba, who gathered along the beachfront of the Los Delfines Hotel, part of the Islazul hotel chain.