With the Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026 just weeks away, organisers are inviting swimmers, families and members of the public to take part in two community events that combine environmental conservation with open-water swimming.
The Clean-Up & Social Swim events will be held at Rasfannu on 8 August and 15 August, giving participants an opportunity to help clean the beach before joining fellow swimmers for a recreational swim in the lagoon.
Organisers said the initiative is designed to bring the community together while highlighting the importance of protecting the marine environment that supports the country’s growing open-water swimming culture.
Participants are encouraged to attend with friends and family, take part in the beach clean-up and remain for the social swim, which aims to provide a relaxed setting for swimmers of all experience levels to connect ahead of the main competition.
The activities serve as a lead-up to the Dhiraagu Malé Open 2026, which will take place at Rasfannu on 21 and 22 August. Organised by Swim Maldives, the competition has become the country’s largest open-water swimming event, attracting participants from across the Maldives each year.
Beyond competition, the event seeks to promote healthier lifestyles, encourage greater participation in open-water swimming and raise awareness about the need to protect the Maldives’ oceans and coastal environment.
Organisers have also extended the registration deadline for this year’s competition until 9 August, allowing more swimmers to sign up.
Participants can enter the 1-kilometre, 500-metre and 250-metre individual races, while this year’s programme also introduces a 500-metre Team Relay, offering friends, families and swimming clubs the chance to compete together for the first time.
Dhiraagu said its continued support for the event reflects the company’s commitment to promoting sports, environmental awareness and community engagement through initiatives that encourage people of all ages to lead active lifestyles while caring for the natural environment.
