Fun, fitness, sightseeing - the Swim Series is a great winter getaway with something for everyone from 7 to 70, writes Zoe Hawkins.
In the winter of 2013, I arrived in Samoa for the Samoa Swim Series, new to the sport of swimming and not knowing a soul in the country. Twelve months later, I returned, this time with my eight-year-old daughter, to a warm reunion of swimming friends.
For an adult, swimming is one of the most accessible and friendly sports there is. Combine that with the warm waters of Samoa and the natural hospitality of its people, and a holiday focused on ocean swimming becomes an active, social and relaxing experience.
One of the special things about the Samoa Swim Series is that it embraces all ages and abilities, from the youngest and by far the fastest swimmer this year, a 14-year-old Australian, through to those nearing their 70th birthday, or even new swimmers, as I was last year.
Those competing for top honours fight hard, but others might breast-stroke through the shorter distances, and are delighted to finish. Simply put, if you like swimming and are capable of a 2km distance - the equivalent of running about 8km - you are welcome.
In the few days that we are together, organiser Seti Afoa pulls us together as a close community of friends that swim together. Staying at one of several hotels in the Samoan capital, Apia, we are picked up each day in a fun, brightly coloured bus, and transported to a new destination for a new swimming experience.
My daughter loved joining local children in two shorter distances for young people.
Seti founded the Samoa Swim Series as part of a strategy to bring sporty people to Samoa, and to help set an example for the Samoan athletes he nurtures in swimming, running and triathlon, up to marathon and ironman distance.
A parade through Apia, led by the police band, and under the banners of our home countries, set a festive tone for opening day.
Next came the optional Apia Masters Swim Meet at the state of the art swimming complex, which was built for the South Pacific Games in 2007 but then sat dormant for several years until it was revived Seti and other like minded swimmers.
The ocean swims are 2km or 4km distances, in pleasantly warm water and with a range of swim safari "add-ons". Seti designs the courses to show off his country and to give a range of swimming experiences.
The three official swims this year were at Sinalei Resort, Mulinu'u Peninsula, and from the Seti's village, Falefa, to the Piula Cave Pools. I also took part in the Pacific Open Water Challenge, consisting of a 10km swim in sheltered waters at Aggie Grey's Resort, and a 5km adventure in deep open water. The 10km distance is swimming's equivalent of a marathon.
Each swim was something special, and was finished off with nature's perfect sports drink, a freshly shucked coconut. The social calendar was busy but optional, with cultural performances, excellent food, a tour of a local school, and a well-organised prizegiving where everyone was recognised for competing the series.
Seti, himself a swimmer, was raised in Auckland, and founded Samoa International Events, which is focused on bringing athletes to experience the delights of his country, and achieving the far greater goal of introducing Samoan people to the sports that he loves.
In July and August, he puts on a half marathon, a half ironman, the Samoa Swim Series and the Pacific Open Water Challenge, and in mid September, the Ford Samoa 3-Day Cycle Race.
If you're fit and active, it's the perfect excuse for a trip to the islands.
CHECKLIST
Getting there: Air New Zealand flies non-stop to Samoa from Auckland up to six times a week.
Accommodation: The Seabreeze Resort is at Paradise Cove, Upolu.
Details: The 2015 Samoa Swim Series is on August 3-9.
Further information: See samoa.travel and samoaswimseries.com.