Launched in 2015, the Swimjunkie Challenge Inc. once again partnered with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur and returned to the breathtaking islands of Caramoan on October 4, 2026 for its 10th anniversary. This year, the organization held its longest and biggest open water challenge yet, the first 20-kilometer ultramarathon swim loop in the Philippines.

Adding to the inaugural 20KM distance, this year’s challenge featured 2KM, 5KM, 10KM, and 15KM island-hop and marathon swims. The swimmers looped Gota Beach, Hunongan Cove, Lahos Island, and Matukad Island.

“We're so excited! This is so meaningful to us. We started here in 2015, and when we described what we wanted to do to Gov. Lray [Villafuerte], he was 100% behind us, and it was so easy to work with them because they really understood our vision for Swimjunkie Challenge,” recalled Swimjunkie Managing Director Coach Betsy Medalla.

With 347 open water swimmers registered, Coach Betsy was beyond thrilled to see the number continue growing over the last decade saying, “And now 10 years later, this is the biggest number of swimmers we've ever had.” She also declared that the event could have gone bigger but they had already maxed out all the resorts in Paniman, Caramoan and that there was nowhere else to accommodate more participants.

“The best part has been introducing everybody to open water swimming here in Caramoan and introducing everyone to these beautiful islands. Every year, the community gets bigger and braver because of Swimjunkie Challenge Caramoan,” she said.

Much of what Coach Betsy alludes to is evident in how the community of open water swimmers in Caramoan has indeed grown bigger. For father and daughter Ron and Maia Yu from Quezon City, open water swimming is how they spend time together.

Nine-year-old Maia was beyond excited to see the rich corals and swim against the beautiful waves of Caramoan during their 2KM swim. After crossing the finish line a minute ahead of her dad, the bond of the father-daughter grew even closer.

“Of course, rewarding for a parent to see her grow into a matured swimmer. She's only 1 and a half years learning to swim. At first, hesitant ako. Gusto ko ako lang sana sasali, but ayaw niya mahiwalay sa akin, eh. But I'm happy kasi naka-finish siya ahead of me. Good time for a little kid,” said Ron, beaming with pride about his daughter. The two dedicated their medals to their ilaw ng tahanan, who always supported them and waited for them at every finish line.

For the past decade, the Swimjunkie Challenge has not only brought in swimmers from all over the world, it has also opened economic opportunities for the locals. Not only have they maxed out the hotels available in Ilawod and Paniman this year, local fisherfolk were also booked as marshals for the 29 registered 20KM swimmers.

On her first visit to the Philippines, Rebecca Gravell from the United Kingdom decided to join the ultramarathon swim in Caramoan. Despite the challenging race route, Rebecca pushed through and, according to her, it could not have been more worth it for the experience and beautiful islands alone.

“The hardest part was the last 3 kilometers to go, on the final island buoy, because of the waves. What made me push through was knowing that I have traveled all this way to see this beautiful sea and mountains, and knowing that I had him to support me and that he was working hard as well,” shared Rebecca, referring to the local boatman assigned as her 1-on-1 marshal.

When asked about the emotions visibly overcoming her at that moment, Rebecca answered, “These are happy tears. I'm just so pleased that I did it. I'm proud.”

Aside from the 1-on-1 dedicated marshal for each 20KM swimmer, the Provincial Government of Camairines Sur ensured the safety of the swimmers by activating its Incident Management Team (IMT). Over 360 CamSur IMT personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Kabalikat Bikol, Bicol Medical Center, the City/Municipality DRRM Offices of Iriga City, Baao, Bula, Minalabac, and Pasacao, as well as the province’s very own EDMERO and Provincial Health Office, were formed into Medical, Search and Rescue, Communication, and Security groups.

An Advanced Medical Post and medical aid stations were stationed on each island, while quick response boats, ambulance boat, and evacuation boats strategically looped the race course.

The safety measures put in place by the CamSur IMT did not go unnoticed. Rebecca noted that she had never felt safer swimming an ultra-distance after seeing responders and medical personnel at every corner of the race route, allowing her to forgo a tow float. 

“This is the first swim that I've ever done where I wasn't wearing a tow float, so to know that I felt safe without that all the time was really good,” explained Rebecca, saying that she was able to focus more on her goal of finishing the course.

A decade of open water, a decade of thrill-seeking, a decade of community growing—and Caramoan has been at the center of every stroke. As the question of another Swimjunkie Challenge in Caramoan hangs in the air, the past 10 years already stand as a testament to a successful community forged in open water, strengthened by shared passion, and carried forward by the people who believed in its journey.