Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – The sun-drenched beaches of Bucerías recently welcomed around 250 of Mexico’s finest young athletes for the open water swimming trials of the CONADE National Olympics 2026. From May 22 to 26, Banderas Bay served as the perfect host for these challenging events, bringing together competitors from all over the country to test their skills in one of the most demanding disciplines on the national sports calendar.
Over five days of spirited competition, the swimmers showcased incredible stamina and clever race strategies as they navigated the open ocean. Behind the scenes, the Municipal Government of Bahía de Banderas and its Directorate of Sports worked hard to make sure everything ran smoothly. Their excellent coordination provided a safe, orderly, and highly efficient environment that easily met national standards, allowing the athletes to focus entirely on doing their best.
The pristine waters of Bucerías offered ideal racing conditions, paving the way for some truly historic achievements. The team from Baja California put on a spectacular show, capturing the national team championship for an amazing fourteenth consecutive year.
There were plenty of smiles on the individual podiums as well. Regina Cuevas Ortiz of Morelos took home the gold in the grueling 10-kilometer race. Meanwhile, in the action-packed 14-15 age category Knock Out event, Iker Eloan Galindo García of Quintana Roo and Leonardo Yopihua of Veracruz both claimed silver medals.
Other standout medalists who made their home states proud included Raúl Moreno and Juan Pablo García of Morelos, alongside Marisela Escobar of Veracruz.
The talent in the water was matched by a wonderful wave of enthusiasm on the shore. Coaches, teammates, and families gathered at the beach to cheer on the competitors, creating an uplifting and celebratory atmosphere that solidifies Bahía de Banderas as a premier hub for major aquatic sports in Mexico.
While the swimming portion of the games has wrapped up, the sporting excitement in the region is far from over. The action now shifts just a little further north to Sayulita, where the surfing finals are currently underway. Through June 5th, more than 200 top surfers representing 13 states are riding the waves, vying for top honors and bringing a spectacular, high-energy close to this year’s CONADE National Olympics.
With successful open water competitions in Bucerías and the surfing finals underway in Sayulita, Banderas Bay continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Mexico’s leading destinations for national sporting events, combining world-class natural settings with a proven ability to host large-scale competitions.
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