Swim Across Banderas Bay in Teams: A Tour for Marine Life

On December 7th, 2024, Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas will host a unique event: the “Vuelta a la Bahía de Banderas en Equipos” (Swim Across Banderas Bay in Teams), an open-water swimming competition that will bring together some of Mexico’s best swimmers. As well as being a high-level sporting spectacle, the event aims to raise funds for the conservation of marine life in the Mexican Pacific.

Organized by the Nado por las Ballenas (Swim for the Whales) initiative, this event has an ambitious goal: to raise one million pesos for the conservation of humpback whales and marine ecosystems in Banderas Bay. Each stroke taken by these athletes represents not only strength and endurance, but also a commitment to protect the region’s marine biodiversity—a cause that resonates with locals and visitors alike.

Juan Ramón Celis, Stephanie Montero, Ulises Salgado and Georgina Rodríguez.

Details of this presentation, held at Casa Velas, were shared by Georgina Rodríguez, director of the Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay Business Association; Ulises Salgado, public relations manager of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board; Juan Ramón Celis, corporate marketing director of Velas Resorts; and Stephanie Montero, open water swimmer.

A High-End Sporting Challenge
In this team-based edition, eight renowned Mexican athletes will lead six groups of swimmers. Each team of six will tackle different sections of the bay in a coordinated and simultaneous effort, combining the thrill of open water swimming with the stunning seascape of Puerto Vallarta.

The routes include iconic locations such as Puerto Vallarta, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Punta de Mita, Chimo, Yelapa and Boca de Tomatlán. This route, which Swim for the Whales leader Stephanie Montero completed solo over six days in May 2024, will now be completed in one day with a shared team experience, emphasizing the values of collaboration and teamwork.

The Athletes and Their Routes
Each of the six teams will represent one of Swim for the Whales’ conservation projects, all of which are designed to protect the marine ecosystems of the Pacific.

Here are the swim leaders, their routes and the project they will be supporting:

1. Jorge Villegas and Jaime Lomelí
Route: Puerto Vallarta – La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Project: Mi bahía y yo; aprendiendo y conociendo para cuidar (marine biologists / Explora Vallarta).

2. Nora Toledano and Arleen González
Route: La Cruz de Huanacaxtle – Punta de Mita
Project: Por nuestros corales (CUCosta-UDG).

3. Paulo Strehlke
Route: Punta de Mita – Chimo
Project: Rescate de ballenas enmalladas (ECOBAC-RABEN).

4. Carlos Franco
Route: Chimo – Yelapa
Project: Recuperación de redes fantasmas (WWF).

5. Patricia Kohlmann
Route: Yelapa – Boca de Tomatlán
Project: Menos velocidad, más vidas. Respetemos el espacio de las ballenas (CONANP).

6. Marcela De Niz
Route: Boca de Tomatlán – Puerto Vallarta
Project: Cero Plástico (Limpia tu Mar).

These swimmers, known for their expertise and skills in open-water swimming, will bring their talents to an event that is not just a physical challenge but a symbol of unity in support of the ocean and its inhabitants.

International Certification and Recognition for Banderas Bay
In a milestone that puts Banderas Bay on the global map of open water sports, the event has been certified by the Marathon Swimmers Federation (MSF). Stephanie Montero earned this recognition after completing a 36.2 km swim from the Marietas Islands to Las Gemelas Beach in November 2023, a historic achievement for Mexico that took 14 hours and 30 minutes.

This achievement not only enhances the bay’s reputation as an open water destination, but also highlights Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit as key locations in the world of marathon swimming.

How to Participate and Contribute
The funds raised will be managed through FONNOR A.C., and donations can be made at fonnor.org/sumate.

Supporting this cause goes beyond a simple donation; it’s an investment in the future of Banderas Bay and its natural treasures.