-Oceanman Vouliagmeni is entering its 8th edition with ambitions “higher than ever.” What concrete innovations, upgrades, or new experiences can participants and spectators expect in 2026 compared to previous years?

Our goal for every upcoming event is always to surprise and delight those who love and trust us. So our focus is on creating new experiences, with new sports additions like MONIFIN and BI.FIN this year, free children’s activities, and “Fistivalization”, an initiative designed to help people have more relaxed fun while keeping their interest in the event’s various aspects alive—is our commitment starting this year.

The entire structure of the athletes' village is changing, sponsor participation is changing, and even the content of the multimedia material is changing, we also want this aspect to be reflected.

-Beyond the competition itself, how does OCEANMAN Vouliagmeni | Greece contribute to Greece’s broader objectives in sports tourism, local economic development, and international positioning? How do you evaluate and measure that impact?

Since the TRIMORE business unit was established in 2014, our mission and goal have been to cater to the Sports Experience Traveler, contributing to the development of the destinations we choose, the involvement of their people, especially the youth, and, above all, the creation of a significant economic impact and results.

By conducting targeted research to gain insight, and in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization, which stands by us as a partner and collaborator, we can confidently speak of people who spend over €2,000, per person on their trip, who travel with about 2.5 people as companions (family and friends), who stay for more than 4 nights at the cities of our events, who are opinion makers, actively share their sporting participation on social media while effectively promoting the locations, who seek out the beauty surrounding the event locations and visit them, and who ultimately become frequent visitors to our future events and ambassadors for them to an average of more than two additional people.

We have a pool of advocates, and we are nurturing it.

-What strategic collaborations with the Municipality of Vari–Voula–Vouliagmeni have been key to the event’s growth and success? Additionally, what long-term legacy, infrastructure, programs, or community initiatives, will remain after the event?

Anyone could easily say that without the excellent cooperation of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, none of this would have been possible. It’s not just the wonderful area and the venue that are ideal for the event.

It’s the confidence an organizer feels when Grigoris Konstantellos (Mayor of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni) is leading the project, planning and envisioning together, putting all the resources (human and material/equipment) to the event’s assets, to manage challenges and provide solutions together, and to explore alternatives and possibilities that will certainly ensure the desired success.

It gives us the opportunity to speak to and inspire school students, to seek out, find and train volunteers, secure the necessary permits for forest areas, port authorities, road closures, public management and outreach, and a thousand other aspects.

At the same time, it helps us put social responsibility into practice and take steps to protect the environment and engage in active recovery efforts. Check out the Clean Ocean initiative we’re running together.

-What specific safety protocols, course design improvements, and support services are being implemented to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for swimmers of all ages and experience levels, particularly first-time participants?

Safety is a top priority for our team. It is non-negotiable.

In fact, it represents a significant cost for us, but it is the only item in our budget that cannot be cut.

Our primary concern is ensuring adequate insurance coverage for the event and all participants, volunteers, spectators, etc.

We also require that every participant provide a medical certificate to minimize the likelihood of emergencies.

A third safety measure is the mandatory use of a personal floated buoy while swimming, regardless of distance or age, which ensures not only personal safety but also the visibility of each swimmer to the safety patrol team.

In addition to these, a full-scale water rescue operation is organized with safety patrol boats, lifeguards, and rescuers who are properly equipped and ready to intervene, kayaks for athlete escort and immediate response, jet skis for incident evacuation, ambulances with hospitals on standby, a medical clinic in the Athletes’ Village, doctors and nurses, a communications management center, and whatever else is deemed necessary.

All of this infrastructure is in place from the start until the last swimmer finishes, with a focus on the least experienced, but this system is ready to identify risks and intervene proactively.

All of our staff are passionate people dedicated to promoting safety and ensuring it.

-You’ve also highlighted the importance of “what happens beyond the race.” 

What community, cultural, and entertainment activities are planned for families, PlayMakers, and non-competitors, and how do these elements enhance the overall OCEANMAN experience?

The truth is that, having worked hard on safety and quality, factors such as innovation, inclusivity, and the overall experience of athletes and their companions, beyond just the sporting aspect, are now at the heart of our commitment.

We want our reputation to be associated with fun for the whole group, entertainment, and creative activities within the event venue, and we’re organizing a variety of activities.

We want to offer free food, shaded seating, refreshing drinks, beer, ice cream, desserts, music (live or DJ), dancing, and side activities that will excite people and serve as an incentive for them to come to our future events, thereby expanding our shared goal.

-Looking ahead, what are the next major milestones for you and your team? Are there plans for new race formats, sustainability initiatives, youth development pathways, or international partnerships that will keep OCEANMAN Vouliagmeni | Greece at the forefront of the global open-water swimming scene?