The Swim Grand Prix (Swim GP) is an open water swimming event offering a variety of race distances for athletes of all ages and experience levels.

The competition is conducted in accordance with the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Rules and the regulations of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE). Depending on the race format, starts, turns and finishes may take place either entirely in the water or from the beach.

The event is based at Elia Beach, Mykonos, where all races will start in successive waves. The race programme includes the following distances:

• 10 km
• 5 km
• 2 km
• Teens Race – 400 m
• Kids Race – 200 m

The event is organised by IQ Sports S.A., in co-organisation with the Municipality of Mykonos.

The Swim Grand Prix officially begins on Friday, 2 October 2026, with athlete check-in and registration in Mykonos Town (Chora). The event concludes on Sunday, 4 October 2026, following the Awards Ceremony in Mykonos Town.

Race Venue. All races start and finish at Elia Beach, Mykonos. The courses have been designed in accordance with international open water swimming standards and will be marked with clearly visible buoys. Swimmers must follow the designated course in a clockwise direction.

10 km Open Water Race
Start Time: 09:30
Course Description: The race will start from Elia Beach. Athletes will complete two (2) laps of 5 km each, following the marked course in a clockwise direction before returning to Elia Beach for the finish.
Distance: 10,000 m · Number of Laps: 2 × 5 km

5 km Open Water Race
Start Time: 10:10
Course Description: The race will start from Elia Beach. Athletes will complete one (1) lap of 5 km, following the marked course in a clockwise direction before finishing at Elia Beach.
Distance: 5,000 m · Number of Laps: 1 × 5 km

2 km Open Water Race
Start Time: 10:30
Course Description: The race will start from Elia Beach. Athletes will complete two (2) laps of 1 km each, following the marked course in a clockwise direction before returning to the finish area at Elia Beach.
Distance: 2,000 m · Number of Laps: 2 × 1 km

Kids & Teens Races
Start Time: 12:30
Course Description: Both youth races will start and finish at Elia Beach. Participants will swim on a clearly marked clockwise course:

• Kids Race (200 m): 2 laps of 100 m
• Teens Race (400 m): 4 laps of 100 m

The courses will be fully supervised by safety personnel and race officials throughout the event.

Official course maps for all race distances will be published on the event website and will also be displayed at the Registration Centre and during the Technical Briefing prior to each race.

Participation in the Swim Grand Prix is open to athletes who meet the following age requirements:

The minimum age requirement refers to the athlete’s age on the day of the event.

Awards will be presented to the top three (3) overall male and female finishers in each of the following races:

• 10 km Open Water
• 5 km Open Water
• 2 km Open Water

Awards will also be presented to the top three teams. Teams consist of three (3) athletes. Team rankings are determined by adding together the official finishing times of all three team members. The team with the lowest combined time will be declared the winner.

Age group awards will be presented separately for male and female athletes in the following categories, for 10 km, 5 km and 2 km Open Water: 16–29, 30–44, 45+ years.

• Overall winners (1st Male and 1st Female) are not eligible for age group awards.
• A minimum of three finishers is required for an age group award ceremony.
• If an age group has fewer than three finishers, it will be merged with the next older age group until the minimum number of participants is reached.
• Age group mergers will always be made upwards (to the next older category).
• Since only finishers are considered when determining age group awards, final age group classifications will be confirmed after the completion of each race. Consequently, provisional live results may differ from the final official classifications.

All athletes who successfully complete their race will receive an official finisher medal. An electronic finisher certificate will be available for download following the event.

Registration Period. Registration for all races is open until Friday, 25 September 2026. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to close registrations earlier if the maximum number of participants is reached.

How to Register. Entries must be submitted online through the official registration platform available on the event website: Register here →. A registration is considered complete only after full payment of the applicable entry fee has been received.

Registration Confirmation. To collect the official race pack, participants must present: a valid passport or national identity card; their registration confirmation (printed or digital); proof of payment, if requested by the Organising Committee.

Participants collecting a race pack on behalf of another athlete must present: their own valid identification; written authorisation from the registered participant; a copy of the participant’s identification document, if requested.

Youth Participants. Parents or legal guardians of athletes under the age of 18 are responsible for completing the registration process. During race pack collection, junior participants must present an official identification document (passport, national identity card or other government-issued ID) in order to receive their race materials.

• 50% refund for cancellation requests submitted by 31 August.
• 10% refund for cancellation requests submitted by 30 September.
• No refund for cancellation requests submitted from 1 October onwards.

Location: Alefkandra, Mykonos Town (Chora)

Opening Hours:
Friday, 2 October 2026: 17:00–20:00
Saturday, 3 October 2026: 12:00–19:00

All registered athletes must collect their race pack in person from the Registration Centre during the official opening hours. Each race pack includes:

• Official race bib / athlete identification
• Timing chip
• Official event swim cap
• Event information
• Sponsor materials (where applicable)

No race packs will be distributed outside the published Registration Centre opening hours unless otherwise announced by the Organizing Committee.

Attendance at the Official Technical Briefing is strongly recommended for all participants. The briefing will cover important race information, including: course layout; safety procedures; water conditions; start procedure; course buoys; time limits (if applicable); weather updates; any last-minute changes communicated by the Race Director. Athletes are responsible for being familiar with all race rules and official announcements.

Each athlete is responsible for: knowing the race course; completing the correct number of laps; following the designated course; rounding all course buoys correctly; complying with all instructions issued by race officials, lifeguards and safety personnel. Failure to comply with race regulations or official instructions may result in penalties or disqualification.

All participants must wear: the official event swim cap supplied by the Organizing Committee; appropriate swimwear complying with World Aquatics regulations; the official timing chip provided by the organizer. Athletes who fail to wear the official swim cap or timing chip may not be permitted to start or may be disqualified.

Wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimmers compete in the same category. There is no separate wetsuit classification.

Wetsuit Temperature Rules:

• Mandatory: Below 21.0°C
• Optional: Between 21.0°C and 24.5°C
• Forbidden: Above 24.5°C

The official water temperature will be determined by race officials using measurements taken at three separate locations along the course. The lowest recorded temperature will be considered the official water temperature.

Wetsuit Specifications. When wetsuits are permitted, they must cover the torso, back, shoulders and knees; they must not extend beyond the neck, wrists or ankles. Textile swimsuits must also comply with World Aquatics regulations and must not extend beyond the neck, wrists or ankles. The use of swimming socks and neck covers is permitted provided they do not provide any propulsion or competitive advantage.

• 10 km: 5 hours, with an intermediate cut-off at the end of the first loop (2.5 hours).
• 5 km: 3 hours.
• 2 km: 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Kids (200 m) & Teens (400 m): No cut-off time.

• Mandatory: 10 km, 5 km.
• Optional: 2 km.
• Forbidden: Kids (200 m) and Teens (400 m).

Before entering the start area, athletes must complete the official check-in procedure, wearing their assigned timing chip and official event swim cap, and displaying all required race identification markings. Race officials will mark athletes with their official race number before the start.

• Athletes without wetsuits: race numbers marked on back, upper arms, hands.
• Athletes wearing wetsuits: race numbers marked on hands only.

• Swim Grand Prix is committed to protecting the marine environment.
• Athletes must not dispose of bottles, food wrappers or any other waste anywhere along the course.
• Waste must be deposited only in the designated disposal areas provided by the Organizing Committee.
• Participants are encouraged to respect and protect the natural environment that hosts the event.

The event will take place on the scheduled dates regardless of normal weather conditions. However, if severe weather or any other force majeure circumstances present a risk to participant safety, the Organizing Committee reserves the right to: delay the start; modify the course; shorten the race distance; suspend the race; cancel the event. Such decisions will be made in consultation with the relevant public authorities and safety agencies. In the event of cancellation due to force majeure, entry fees are non-refundable.

Event Changes. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to amend the race schedule, the course, competition rules, event procedures and participation requirements without prior notice whenever necessary for safety or operational reasons.

The Organizing Committee is committed to protecting the personal data of all participants in accordance with the applicable General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and relevant national legislation. The personal information provided during registration will be used solely for purposes directly related to the organization and delivery of the event, including: registration management; athlete identification; race timing; results processing; safety and emergency management; event communications. Personal data will be processed only by authorized personnel and trusted service providers involved in the operation of the event. Any processing of personal data beyond the purposes described above will only take place with the participant’s explicit consent.

By registering for the event, participants acknowledge and accept that their personal information — including name, nationality, age category, bib number, official race times, and overall and age group rankings — may be published in official race results and made available through the event website and official timing platforms.

By participating in the Swim Grand Prix, athletes grant the Organizing Committee, its sponsors and authorized media partners the right to photograph, film and record their participation during the event. Participants agree that these photographs, video recordings and other media may be used without limitation for: event promotion; marketing; advertising; press releases; social media; future editions of the event. No compensation shall be payable for such use. The commercial rights to all official photographs and video footage remain the exclusive property of the Organizing Committee and its authorized partners. Official race photographs may be made available for viewing and purchase through the event’s Official Photography Partner.

All races will be electronically timed using an official timing chip. Official Time is measured from the starting signal until the athlete crosses the finish line. Net Time is measured from the moment the athlete crosses the start timing point until crossing the finish timing point. Overall rankings and awards are determined using the Official Time. Net times and split times are provided for information purposes only.

Participants must comply at all times with the instructions of Race Officials, Lifeguards, Volunteers, Medical Personnel and Members of the Organizing Committee. If instructed to withdraw from the race for safety reasons, athletes must comply immediately. Race numbers, timing chips and event credentials are personal and may not be transferred to another participant under any circumstances. Athletes are responsible for reading all official race communications prior to the event, including the Race Guide, Technical Briefing, Athlete Information Updates and Event Schedule.

IQ Sports guarantees that personal data collected during the registration process will only be processed to the extent necessary for the organization and operation of the event. All personal data will be handled confidentially and accessed only by authorized personnel.

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to amend or update this Rule Book at any time. Any modifications will be communicated through the official event communication channels.

IQ Sports S.A.
41 Agiou Georgiou Street
152 34 Chalandri, Athens, Greece
Telephone: +30 210 675 4300
Email: swimgpgreece@feelosophy.gr

Athanasios Papadimitriou
Legal Representative