The Mana Island Ocean Swim on 4th March will play host to the 4 th Fiji National Open Water Swimming Championships.
The Championships will be held over 3Km off Mana's North Beach in the following Age Groups:
- 11
- 12, 13
- 14, 15
- 16, U20, 20
- 29, 30
- 39, 40
- 49, 50
- 59, 60
- 69, 70+

As well as the 3Km Championship race there will also be a 1Km Swim. Both events will offer Prizes for 1,2,3 Male & Female overall and in Age Groups.
A boost for local Swimmers will be the inclusion of a Prize of a trip to participate in the 2006 Vanuatu Ocean Swim on 17th June for the First Male & Female Fiji Citizen finishers in the 3Km, courtesy of Air Vanuatu and The Melanesian Port Vila.
As well as Fiji's top swimmers taking part, there will be a big contingent of overseas swimmers competing in the older age group categories with 60 participants already confirmed from Japan, 20 from Korea and more expected from USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Entry Forms for the Mana Island Ocean Swim are available locally at Wai Tui Shops, National Aquatic Centre, Sports City and Swim Clubs.
Overseas swimmers can register on-line at www.oceanswims.com or www.pacificswims.com . See both websites for more information or email  info@pacificswims.com .

Local Weekend Specials for the event including transfers and accommodation at Mana Island Resort are available: contact Mana Reservations: Ph 6650423 OR 9936477.

SeaFiji will operate Day Transfers from Denarau for Swimmers & accompanying Coaches commencing at 6 : 45am in time for the Race Start at 9 : 15am and leaving Mana for Denarau after the Awards Lunch at 1 : 30pm . Space is limited so call for details & book early on 9936477 to make sure of a place.

Major sponsors for the event are Mana Island Resort, Sun Air, Wai Tui, Coca-Cola, Fiji Water, Pure Fiji, Nads Duty Free, Sea Fiji, Aquatrek Diving and Awesome Watersports with support from Fiji Visitors Bureau.

BIG PRIZE, BIG TRIP, BIG SWIM AND THE COLE CLASSIC TOO...
At the Fiji Ocean Swim last year Sydney's "Big Swim" organiser.  Richie Stewart  presented the inaugural "Big Swim", Palm Beach to Whale Beach Trophy to the first Fiji Swimmer, Luke McGrath.
This award will be an annual feature of the Fiji Ocean Swim as part of the relationship between the two events, providing Fiji's swimmers a great opportunity to gain some valuable 'BIG' race experience overseas.   

As part of the "Big Swim" Award, the first Fiji Male & Female finishers also won a trip to take part in the 2006 Big Swim on January 29th courtesy of the Big Swim organisers. First female finisher last year, Fiji Olympian Sharon Pickering-Smith handed her prize to a delighted Lorraine Patterson.
Luke and Lorraine will be jetting off to Sydney on Air Pacific to take part in the 'Big Swim', Palm Beach to Whale Beach and the following weekend the Cole Classic at Manly.
Also there, will be Tom Sam from Vanuatu who was the first ni-Vanuatu finisher at the Vanuatu Ocean Swim last June where he won the 'Cole Classic Plate Of Goodsportspersonship'  a specially commissioned piece of Cole Classic ceramic art and the opportunity to swim at the Cole Classic. Tom will join Luke and Lorraine for both Sydney swims.
In between Swims, there will be some squad time at North Sydney Pool....  

LUCKY DRAWS & MR & MS AVERAGE…
Jump in at the following events for a chance to win a Prize to Swim in Fiji or Vanuatu. Lucky Draw Prizes at Coronado Island Swim, San Diego, Bondi to Bronte, Across the Harbour in Auckland, The Big Swim,  Sydney Harbour Classic, Auckland King of the Bays, Byron Bay Winter Whales and Noosa Blue.
Meanwhile, many of the swimmers at this years Cole Classic will be striving to be 'average' in an attempt to win the coveted 'Mr & Ms Cole Classic Average Swimmer' prize to the Vanuatu Ocean Swim.

SEE US AT THE BIG SWIM & THE COLE CLASSIC
Look out for our booth at Whale Beach at the Big Swim on 29th January and on the Beachfront at Manley Surf Club on 5th February. We'll have information on the Mana Island Ocean Swim as well as the Fiji Ocean Swim Festival, the Vanuatu Ocean Swim and the Espiritu Santo Aore Swim.

29 th January  Big Swim, Palm Beach to Whale Beach Sydney
2 Lucky Draws to the 2006 Vanuatu Ocean Swim, courtesy of Air Vanuatu
2 Lucky Draws to the Fiji Ocean Swim courtesy of Air Pacific & Mana Island Resort
6 th February The Cole Classic at Manly Sydney
2 Lucky Draws to the  Fiji Ocean Swim courtesy of Air Pacific and Mana Island Resort.
Mr & Ms Average Cole Classic to the Vanuatu Ocean Swim courtesy of Air Vanuatu. 

CREW
On-course safety & patrol will once again be provided by the Beach Activities crew from Mana Island Resort, Aquatrek Diving, Sea Fiji and Pleasure Marine.

MORE NEWS & RESULTS
See more News & Results on www.pacificswims.com  and www.oceanswims.com

SWIM SAFARI
Swim Safaris are a combination of island hopping & coastal swims, walks, village visits, cultural experiences and good conversation in some of the world's most beautiful islands and waters are planned this year:
Vanuatu, 22nd -26th June, after the Vanuatu & Espiritu Santo Aore Swims.
Fiji, 24th - 29th August.

FIJI SWIMMING
Click on to www.oceaniaswimming.com  for news from the Fiji Amateur Swimming Association.
See www.pacificswims.com  for more info.
See www.oceanswims.com  for the full story on the first Mana Island Ocean Swim & more on Ocean Swims worldwide.

Paul McCoy
South Pacific Sports Promotions
Mob:  679  9936477
www.pacificswims.com
www.fijimarathon.com
www.vanuaturelay.com