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Bula and happy new year!  Thank you for all the enquiries we are receiving about this year’s Fiji Swims.  We are finalising the dates for this year’s swims after realising our planned dates clashed with the Sydney City to Surf run.  Stay tuned … and good luck to everyone in Queensland with the floods up there at the moment.

Try to sit up the front of the plan to get off the plane quickly because the queues at customs and later at the baggage screening can get pretty long.

Monday 9 August (for the early bird arrivals)

8am Optional morning swim. Meet on the beach of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to swim to the island in front of the Sofitel approximately 1km each way … back in time for breakfast
 
Tuesday 10 August

8am Optional morning swim. Meet on the beach of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to swim to the island in front of the Sofitel approximately 1km each way … back in time for breakfast
 
Wednesday 11 August

8am Optional morning swim. Meet on the beach of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to swim to the island in front of the Sofitel approximately 1km each way … back in time for breakfast

4 – 5.45pm Registration for the 18km relay at a conference room next to reception at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Denarau Island

5.45pm Gather to meet team mates, kayakers and boat captains for the 18km relay at a conference room next to reception at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

6pm Pre Relay Briefing in a conference room next to reception at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa. All relay swimmers, boat captains and kayakers required to attend

7pm Pre Relay Dinner at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa (cash bar).

Tickets for dinner are included as part of your race registration, please ensure you have purchased tickets for any guests prior to the night by emailing lynn@bathtubproductions.com

During the dinner Shane Gould and her husband Milt Nelms will talk briefly about the community drowning prevention program they are conducting in Fiji.
 
Thursday 12 August

18km Fiji Swim – Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to Beachcomber Island Relay

4.30am For guests staying at the Tanoa Hotel – check out of your hotel

5am For guests staying at the Tanoa Hotel – bus departs reception for the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

5am For guests staying at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa – check out of your hotel and light breakfast served at reception

5.30am All relay swimmers and kayakers meet at reception of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island

5.30am First bus departs the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to Port Denarau (for all swimmers except those starting the race) and rendez-vous with boat captains – ensure you take your day pack for the boat but leave all other luggage at reception for transfer to the island where you are staying

5.30am First swimmers, solo swimmers and kayakers report to the warm up room downstairs next to the left hand side of pool (as you look out to sea) at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

5.45am Last bus departs (for all swimmers, except those starting the race) the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to Port Denarau and rendez-vous with boat captains

5.45am All non first swimmers and reserve kayakers board their boats at Port Denarau to depart for the boat rendez-vous next to the reef marker 1km off the beach in front of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

6am Boats assemble 150m beach in front of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

6.05am Swimmers and their kayakers assemble on the beach in front of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

6.10am Kayakers for the first wave make their way into the water and assemble 75m in front of the beach in front of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

6.15am The first wave of the race starts

6.30am Kayakers for the second wave make their way into the water and assemble 75m in front of the beach in front of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

6.35am The second wave of the race starts

6.50am Kayakers for the third wave make their way into the water and assemble 75m in front of the beach in front of the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

6.55am The third and final wave of the race starts

9am Non swimming guests moving from the mainland to Beachcomber or Treasure Islands transfer from Port Denarau to the island on South Sea Cruises. Book directly on-line at www.ssc.com.fj

1 – 2pm Post race lunch on Beachcomber Island (the meal price is included in the swim registration fee. Please make sure you book lunch for non swimming guests by email to lynn@bathtubproductions.com)

4pm Transfer from Beachcomber Island to Treasure Island for guests staying on Treasure Island

5.15pm Transfer on South Sea Cruises from Beachcomber Island to Port Denarau for all swimmers and guests returning to the mainland. Book on-line at www.ssc.com.fj
 
Friday 13 August

10.30am Swim from Beachcomber Island to Treasure Island to take part in the Shane Gould swimming clinic

11am Shane Gould swimming clinic on the main beach at the front of Treasure Island followed by a swim to Beachcomber Island

12.30pm Return swim from Beachcomber Island to Treasure Island for guests on Treasure Island who swam to Beachcomber Island

7pm For guests staying on Treasure Island there will be a pre race dinner
 
Saturday 14 August

The 1km Fiji Swim – Treasure Island to Beachcomber Island & The 2.7km Fiji Swim – Beachcomber Island & The 200m Beach to Boat to Bar Race

8.45am Guests staying on Treasure Island who are participating in the 2.7km swim boat transfer to Beachcomber Island – the one and only transfer!

9am Guests staying on the mainland transfer from Port Denarau to Beachcomber Island on South Sea Cruises. Book on-line at www.ssc.com.fj

9am Registrations open on Beachcomber Island for the 2.7km swim

9am Registrations open on Treasure Island for the 1km swim

9am Guests staying on Beachcomber Island who are participating in the 1km swim boat transfer to Treasure Island

9.45am South Sea Cruises boat from Port Denarau arrives at Beachcomber Island and Treasure Island

10am Registration closes

10.15am People on Beachcomber Island who are participating in the 1km swim boat transfer to Treasure Island

10.30am Transfer from Beachcomber Island to Nukasiga sand bar for the start of the 2.7km race

12.30pm ‘Beach to Boat to Bar Race’ on Beachcomber Island of just 200m with flippers compulsory

1pm Lovo lunch feast on Beachcomber Island and post race presentation (the meal price is included in the swim registration fee. Please make sure you book lunch for non swimming guests by email to lynn@bathtubproductions.com)

4pm Guests staying on Treasure Island post race & lunch transfer from Beachcomber Island to Treasure Island. For guests staying on Treasure Island please note that this is the only free transfer from Beachcomber back to Treasure Island after the race. This transfer is kindly provided for free by the resorts, if you wish to leave earlier please arrange this directly with the resorts).

5.15pm Guests staying on the mainland transfer on South Sea Cruises from Beachcomber Island to Port Denarau for all swimmers returning to the mainland. Book on-line at www.ssc.com.fj
 
What to Bring – for relay swimmers!

• Swimming costume – ok, we know, but we had to list it
• Goggles
• Sunscreen – it might be winter in Fiji but it should be hot
• Towel or chamois
• Warm and water proof clothing in case it’s raining (touch wood!)
• Plenty of bottled water or sports drinks
• Snacks for during the race eg muesli and energy bars, nuts, bananas (remember unless you arrive early the day before you won’t be able to buy much in Fiji
• Sunglasses
• Sunhat/cap
• Thongs/flip flops as the coral on the sand can be hard
• If you are staying on Treasure you may want to bring some cash with you to buy drinks at the bar on Beachcomber
• For 2.7km swimmers bring an old t-shirt and sun hat/cap to wear for sun protection out on the sandbar before the race. We will collect these and give them away to the staff on the islands from all of us.
• Flippers if you want to wear your own in the Beach to Boat to Bar race on Saturday
• Clothes for the after race lunch if you are staying on Treasure
• Any old clothes you would otherwise put in the Good Samaritans bin as you will get so much more pleasure giving these clothes to the local staff on the islands – everything from shirts and dresses to suits and pillow slips or sheets.

 
What to Bring – Saturday swimmers!

• Swimming costume
• Goggles
• Sunscreen – it might be winter in Fiji but it should be hot
• Sunglasses
• For 2.7km swimmers bring an old t-shirt and sun hat/cap to wear for sun protection out on the sandbar before the race. We will collect these and give them away to the staff on the islands from all of us.
• Thongs/flip flops as the coral on the sand can be hard
• Flippers if you want to wear your own in the Beach to Boat to Bar race on Saturday
• Clothes for the after race lunch if you are staying on Treasure
• Any old clothes you would otherwise put in the Good Samaritans bin as you will get so much more pleasure giving these clothes to the local staff on the islands – everything from shirts and dresses to suits and pillow slips or sheets.

 
Helpful Tips

Airport Taxis – the taxi fare from the airport to your hotel will be a standard rate. The taxi drivers are all licensed and safe.

Cash – There is an ATM at the airport just after you clear customs. You won’t need much cash on the islands as you can charge everything to your room. The exception is for guests on Treasure at the post race lunches on Beachcomber who want to buy drinks.

Meeting people – Chances are if someone looks like a swimmer they will be in Fiji for the swims so say hello.

Lost and confused? – If you are staying at the Sofitel ask reception to leave a message for either Christine Connolly, Peter Fox or David Handley. If you are staying at the Tanoa ask reception to leave a message for Christopher Johnson.

Transfers to and from the islands – South Sea Cruises operates a jet cat service from Port Denarau right next to the Sofitel to Beachcomber and Treasure Islands. You buy you tickets on-line at www.ssc.com.fj If you are swimming the relay you won’t need a ticket going to the islands but you will need one coming back. The jet cats make the trip several times a day.

After Hours Transfers to and from the islands – Both Beachcomber and Treasure Islands can arrange early morning or late night transfers to and from the mainland if you need to get on or off the island after the jet cat stops for the day. Several people choose to stay on the island to get an early morning 6am speed boat to enable them to catch the early morning Air Pacific flights. If there is more than 1 of you travelling negotiate a boat rate rather than pay the single person rate for the speed boat.

Golf & Tennis – the Denarau Golf & Racquet Club has good facilities, including a half decent 18 hole golf course.

Eating on the mainland – there are some fantastic Indian restaurants in Nadi just a short taxi ride away from the hotels and resorts. One that we can highly recommend is Saffron. It might feel half empty but you won’t when you leave.
 
Vinaka vaka levu/thank you very much from all of us at the Fiji Swims!

Subsurface Fiji Diving and Watersports - Specials for 2010 Beachcomber Fiji Swim

Located on Beachcomber Island and Treasure Island Resorts, Subsurface offers a line up of great water sports activities at special rates for swimmers in the Fiji Swims. The warm tropical sunshine, white sandy beaches and the clear lagoons that surround the islands make water sports a must do on your visit. We offer excellent facilities and instruction in a variety of exciting water sports.

Below are 2 fantastic water sports specials for all participants in the swim.

• Wild Combo FJ$69

Ride the Banana Boat and add to this your choice of Jet ski or Parasailing. A great watersports combo suitable for all.

• Awesome Threesome FJ$119

Ride the Banana boat and Jetski and then fly to 300ft in the Parasail. 3 heart pumping activities!

Prices are based on 2 share jet ski and tandem parasail.
 

Scuba Diving Specials

Subsurface Fiji has been taking divers to the best locations in the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji since 1988. Now an award winning PADI 5 Star facility, they offer an impressive fleet of boats, top notch equipment and a highly skilled crew to deliver the best diving experience.

Just a short boat ride away is another world of vivid turquoise waters, abundant with beautiful corals, teaming with an amazing variety of colourful tropical fish. Choose a relaxing dive in the calm inner reef waters or explore the deeper ocean side Mamanuca barrier reef where dolphins, turtles and large pelagic fish are your dive companions.

The safe and calm waters surrounding Beachcomber and Treasure Island is a fantastic place to learn to scuba dive and is always one of the most memorable experiences of guests visiting Fiji.
 

PADI Discover Scuba Diving Fiji Swim Special of FJ$175 & free Subsurface T-Shirt

A fun and safe introduction to diving. In just ½ day guided by your PADI instructor you will have fun in the classroom, pool and then it’s off to dive the world famous reefs with the guidance of your dive instructor. On completion you will receive a certificate that is valid during your stay allowing more great diving experiences. Lets go diving! (Max depth 12m)
 

Scuba Diving

For certified divers, we will take you to a choice of 44 dive sites in the Mamanuca Islands. Expect to see caves, pinnacles, walls, a crashed B26 Bomber from WW2, a ship wreck and experience the shark encounter dive at the world famous Supermarket dive site. Add in an abundance of tropical fish, large pelagic fish, and the colourful soft corals that Fiji is famous for and you will want to keep exploring these magnificent reefs. Dive trips depart daily.

1. tank dive  Fiji Swim special of FJ$99
2. tank dive  Fiji Swim special of FJ$189 & free Subsurface T-Shirt.

All prices include full set dive rental equipment with PADI Dive Master services.
 

Contact:

Subsurface Fiji

info@subsurfacefiji.com

www.subsurfacefiji.com

p: 6666738

m: 9996311