The organizers of Hoiana Aquaman Vietnam 2026 recently announced the swimming courses for all six categories on their fanpage. Athletes will tackle the sea at Hoiana Resort & Golf, a resort boasting a 4km private coastline in southern Hoi An, Da Nang.

The Aquaman course. *Photo: VnExpress Marathon*

The Half Aqua course.

The two main categories, Aquaman (swim 2km, run 21km) and Half Aqua (swim 1km, run 10km), feature triangular swimming courses with strategically placed guiding and turning buoys. Aquaman athletes complete two 1km triangle laps, while Half Aqua swimmers complete one single lap.

This triangular design was chosen after researching various options. Compared to U-shaped or T-shaped courses, the triangle course has fewer turning points, helping athletes maintain speed and reduce the risk of collisions during mass starts. This design is also common in international aquathlon events.

A notable feature of the triangle course is that athletes experience three types of waves in one lap: following waves, cross waves, and head-on waves. This demands flexible adaptability, a factor that makes open sea swimming more exciting than sheltered pools.

The Sprint Aqua (500m) course is designed in an I-shape with two 250m sections. *Photo: VnExpress Marathon*

For the Aquaman distance, the two-lap design offers a strategic advantage. The first lap helps athletes read wave direction, understand currents, and locate buoy markers. Once familiar with the route, the second lap is when athletes increase speed and compete for every second against rivals.

The Sprint Aqua category (swim 500m, run 5km) features an I-shaped swimming course. Athletes swim straight 250m from shore to a buoy, touch the buoy, then return along the same route. The entire course is under direct observation by rescue teams, making it suitable for those competing in open sea swimming for the first time.

Rush Aqua (swim 300m, run 3km) involves swimming straight from shore to a buoy 150m away, then returning. Flash Aqua (swim 200m, run 2km) has a diagonal route with a turning buoy 100m from shore. This is the shortest category, designed for newcomers or athletes wanting to experience aquathlon for the first time without confidence in longer distances.

Flash Aqua, the shortest course, suitable for newcomers. *Photo: VnExpress Marathon*

Rush Aqua - a distance requiring athletes to swim 300m.

The Aqua Kid course for young athletes aged 6-10.

The Aqua Kids category for young athletes aged 6-10 features a 200m I-shaped swimming course in a separate sea area: swimming straight 100m from shore to a turning buoy, then returning to the starting point.

A system of buoys is evenly distributed throughout the entire course. Large triangular buoys mark turning points, while tube buoys and rope buoys help athletes navigate the race. Athletes are allowed to hold onto buoys to rest when needed but must not pull themselves forward using them; violating this rule will result in penalties according to competition rules.

The entire swimming course is staffed by professional rescue teams equipped with kayaks, SUPs, and motorized inflatable boats, positioned along the routes. Athletes experiencing difficulties can hold onto rescue vehicles to rest, recover, and then continue to complete the course without being disqualified from the race.

The aforementioned course plan applies under ideal weather conditions. On race day, based on actual circumstances, organizers may make adjustments to ensure athlete safety. Updates will be announced at the briefing area before the start time.

Minh Khang

Hoiana Aquaman Vietnam 2026, taking place on 26/7 at Hoiana Resort & Golf, is a swim-run event attracting thousands of participants, part of the VnExpress Marathon system. The race course offers athletes a premium coastal resort experience in central Vietnam with the challenge of open water swimming and a closed-loop run. The event is currently selling Super Early Bird tickets at the most preferential prices. Interested athletes can register here.