FEEDBACK

SSS 2016 - start line of the Sinalei Reef Resort Swim 4km / 2km

Feedback from some of our athletes ...

Thank you so much for this swim: big swell but a privilege to be able to swim race again. Thank you Seti & family & support people for helping us through the 3km. So lucky to be able to do this event.
Diana Glenie
Maraetai swim Autumn Series, May 2020

Just a quick note to say thank you very much to you, and team for setting up these Autumn events. Its very much appreciated especially after the season was cut short due to the lockdown. Although I was fairly grumpy, sore, tired and cold at the end of the Maraetai swim all these aliments are forgotten 5 minutes later! I will book in for this coming weekends event from Mission Bay to St Heliers. Have a good week.
Duncan Grant (Director of Sports, St Kentigern Boy's School)
Maraetai swim Autumn Series, May 2020

Thanks for a great morning with a very welcoming group of people.
Zena Ough
Maraetai swim Autumn Series, May 2020

Such a cool swim, thanks so much.
Kylie Bradley (Auckland)
Swim the Beach January Series 2020 - Maraetai

Another great swim event, thanks Seti & team.
Tania Charles (Auckland)
Swim the Beach January Series 2020 - Maraetai

Excellent day thanks so much.
Clint Cosgrave (Auckland)
Swim the Beach January Series 2020 - Maraetai

Spent a fantastic week swimming through Tahiti in October. Thanks for a wonderful, well organized trip!
Sara Todd (Belize)
Tahiti Swims Oct 2019

It was a fantastic week with plenty of the most beautiful and often challenging adventures swims , definitely a series custom designed for advance swimmers that have experience different sea conditions.
The satisfaction as we all know is priceless, the beauty of the scenery is the best reward we can dream of and of course the friendship of the fellow swimmers.
Jacques de Reuck (Auckland)
5 islands 2019

Its been great, really surprised it's been everything I expected and more, it's really well organised and the places we have stayed at have been really great, just can't beat it.
Glenn McMillan (Christchurch)
Tour of Samoa AUG 2019

Thanks for everything you did for the trip and do for promoting Samoa.
We will be back to your swim series and to Samoa.
Jenny Lindsay (Auckland)
Samoa Swim Series & Savai'i Experience 2019

I want to thank you and congratulate you on presenting a wonderful week for all participants. I found the whole event to be a wonderful holiday/experience, and your commitment, personality, and zest for life a huge asset. You are amazing, and I wish you well for all future events….you have a great recipe for success and I can't speak of you highly enough.
Ally Boggs (Whangaparaoa, NZL)
GIANT WATRRIOR 2019
- Warrior Race
- Pacific Open Water Championships 10km/5km
- Samoa Swim Series
- Le Lava Half Marathon

Last year was amazing and this year just as amazing. The swims have been fantastic, the people have been fantastic. It's just paradise. We are just so privileged to come to this gorgeous island to swim. It's so pristine, I don't think people understand until they come here. So I will be back next year.
Gabriela Ascencio de Myers (San Francisco)
Samoa Swim Series, Savai'i Experience 2019

We've had a lovely time. Some excellent swims, great to meet new people this year. It's just been excellent. It's lovely to meet new people every year.
Marshall & Lyn Clark (Wellington)
Samoa Swim Series, Savai'i Experience 2019

It has been fantastic. this is an amazing place, the heat training has been good for me, Samoa is a beautiful country. I'm glad I have done a lot of training here and competing in Giant Warrior. It's stunning!
Cameron Brown (IM Pro, Auckland)
Giant Warrior, 2019
- Warrior Race
- Pacific Open Water Championship 10km & 5km Swims
- Samoa Swim Series
- Le Lava Half Marathon

It was hot. Beautiful. Samoa is awesome. Beautiful (course) and tough. The course and everyone was great, the island was alive. Why wouldn't you race here? I'll be back.
Paul Preston (Champion) Queenstown
Warrior Race 2019

Great way to start the year. Thanks Seti and all involved in organising an awesome swim.
Nick Shanks (Winner)
New Years Day Swim - AUCKLAND, Jan 2019

A great day out. Thanks for low key but well organised event Seti and volunteer team. Definitely one for the annual swim calendar if you're in Auckland over the new year.
Mark Harris
New Years Day Swim - AUCKLAND, Jan 2019

Thanks for organising the swim it was one of the best events I have ever done for friendly people and supervision...swimmers are definitely the most friendly bunch of athletes.
David Moulder
New Years Day Swim - AUCKLAND, Jan 2019

Pacific Islands Triathlon Championships
I'm still buzzing over being there to share in your awesome weekend of Triathlon Seti...thanks once again for your great hospitality, and for the great event you gave us!
Garry Boon (Oceania Triathlon Union)
Apia, Samoa - Dec 2018

The Tour of Samoa was an awesome cycling experience and a great way to see the beauty and culture of Samoa. This was a great event, and its the little things that made it special, such as being cooled down with water regularly along with refreshing coconuts at the end of each stage. There was plenty of time to relax, unwind and experience the places that we stayed around both islands. Totally recommend it.
Chris Ewers (Wellington)
Tour of Samoa 2018

The best swim event I have taken part in. The swims are great, but Seti, his team and the other swimmers are what makes series a must do! Will definitely be back
Scott Newman (Brisbane)
SSS / POWC 2018

Extremely well organised, safe and beautiful event.
Lovely people and a great few days racing in some of the most pristine waters in the world!! This event caters to all levels. We will be back!
Jessica Evans (Brisbane)
POWC Champion 2018, 1st 15 km Swim

Samoa Swim Series, POWC, Savaii Experience 2018
Epic swimming with awesome value for your swim investment.
Add to that Samoan hospitality & happiness!*****
Petrina Quinn (Canberra)
Samoa Swim Series 2016, 17, 18

Best part - fun and well organised as usual. Enjoyed it as something different than the other events I've done here. On-course support was Spot on, though I think some struggled with directions at the top. You buy the best coconuts!
Paddy Pringle (UK) ANZAC Challenge April 2018

This is a tough challenge, more than just a running race. The best part about this race is the scrambling and off road running.
Ash Bowe (UK) ANZAC Challenge April 2018

Anyone interested in the 'trail less traveled' - there's no better way to discover the Palisi ascent and the Seti Afoa trail from the radio mast to RLS grave. Anyone keen to see how far they can push their uphill running/walking. Its a tough challenging race.
Philip Marsden (Germany) ANZAC Challenge April 2018

I just want to send a huge thanks for POWC and SSS last week. I had the most incredible trip that was both action packed and very relaxing at the same time! Samoa is a stunning country and you have done a fantastic job at showing it off to us and making me desperately want to come back. I really appreciate how easy you made it for us with the transfers and accommodation and food sorted out. I'm definitely going to be back sometime in the future, hopefully to try my hand at a few of the other events too.
Gina Yukich (Auckland)
Samoa Swim Series, Pacific Open Water Challenge

Awesome swim event, the location and conditions amazing with good land marks to sight bouys and feed station was great.
Liz Calvert (Tutukaka) Apolima Strait Long Bay 10KM Qualifier (Auckland) Dec, 2016

One of the toughest I have ever swum. Thank for organising the race, as usual well organised and run smoothly.
Gary Seaman (Auckland) Apolima Strait Long Bay 10KM Qualifier (Auckland) Dec, 2016

Thanks Seti and Samoa Events for organising such a great event that everyone at any level of fitness can participate. Good luck with the rest of the series we will miss it.
Peter McInnes & Rosemary McKay (SAMOA/AUST) Magik FM People's Weekly Run Series RLS Museum

This is an incredible race. The best race I have done!
Richard Birgander (Sweden) Sau'ai Savai'i 3/4 Ironman Distance 2016 INAUGURAL

Thanks for all the work you put into the TOS. You have created a fantastic event and I am sure it will only get better in the years to come. I will defintely be back next year, hopefully with some of my club members.
Martin Crundwell (Wellington, NZ) Tour of Samoa 2016

The heat was blistering, but there were support vehicles, water stations and constant encouragement from the terrific people on the tour.
Mary Lambie (Auck, NZ) Tour of Samoa 2016

Thank you very much for such a memorable experience. Hopefully I have convinced some of my swim mates to come across for SSS 2017
Petrina Quinn (Canberra, ACT) Samoa Swim Series 2016

Five Stars *****
Heidi Mueller (Auckland) Samoa Swim Series 2016
Facebook Review

A great venue. Great race and great course. Not hard or easy.
Vince Sesto (Vic., AUST) Warrior Race 2016 Half Ironman

What a great race. Fantastic location too, this should be a must-do race for every triathlete. We'll be back.
Lisa Hann (Taranaki) Warrior Race 2016 Half Ironman

Great Fun and Such a beautiful location. Don't miss it.
Mark Matheson (Sydney) Lalomanu Half Marathon 2016

These were fantastic Swims, and I look forward to retuning for the swim across to Savaii.
Elizabeth Schilcher (CA, USA) / Five Islands / May 2016

It was a fantastic Run along the scenic coast of Savai'i. I loved it.
Al Bern (Austria) Half Marathon Winner / Savaii Marathon / Savaii Games April 2016

I think it was a really well organised event and the support during the actual race was really fantastic – there was always a truck with water and bananas whenever I needed it. The accommodation was perfect for an Island adventure at Tanu Beach Fales. The communal meals were a lovely relaxed way to meet everyone and the food was good (I think it should be a rule that the reigning female champion is guaranteed a beach front fale for the following year). I love my medal. I have dozens of race medals but the traditional wood carved one from the Savai'i games has pride of place. The prize giving dinner where each participant nominated his/her man or woman of the ride and gave them a small gift of their choice was a really special end to the occasion.
Jacqui Webster (Aust) / Women's Champion / Ford Ride Savai'i 1 Day Challenge / Savai'i Games

It was a good race, well supported and well organised, with a good finish setup and impressive spot prizes.
Iapi Jasperse / 10km / Savai'i Marathon / Savai'i Games 2016

Thus event was all and more than I hoped it to be. I was stoked to be succesful in the swim and proud of my achievement. Also such a personal event with amazing organization and timely communication and emails. Fantastic event.
Bronwen Burmester, Whangamata, NZ
Oldest person to swim Apolima Strait (60yrs) / Upolu-Savai'i 22.3km swim 2016

To have the opportunity to extend myself to my limits by swimming the Apolima Strait in Samoa is very significant to me. I thoroughly recommend this and associated events. Samoa can be truly proud of 'Samoa Events' who punch well above their weight in providing credible, safe and professional international sporting and Ultra-endurance events. I sincerely hope that these event are fully subscribed in future years, they deserve to be.
Todd Pritchard, Auckland, NZ / Swimmer / Upolu-Savai'i 22.3km Swim 2016

What an incredible race and event! This event is not only a massive physical feat (being the southern hemisphere's longest race) but hugely rewarding mentally for not just the athletes, but all those who are involved. As this race requires great mental and physical determination and ability that is truly inspiring.
Moss Burmester / Swim Captain / Upolu-Savai'i 22.3km Swim 2016

The race was a big success. A great idea is the many distances, so participants can choose what is suitable for them. Great support from the event management. Thumbs up!!!
Team Dive Savaii / Savai'i Marathon / Savai'i Games April 2016

Being a point-to-point run, we got to see much more of Savai'i than we otherwise would have, and expose the event to many more villages! The scenery was amazing and the event crew worked hard all morning to make sure that everyone had what they needed. An amazing event that I hope grows with every year! - Daryl Baker
Daryl Baker, Melbourne, AUST / Savai'i Marathon / Savai'i Games April 2016

It was amazing! Great views. Fun and Perfect.
Berta Soley, Catalonia / Women's 10km / Falefa Falls Run, Jan 2016

That was amazing! This is whyI came to Samoa, to run this beautiful and magnificent course
Lesley Turner Hall, Auckland / Winner, Women's 10km / Falefa Falls Run, Jan 2016

A breathtaking Run. So spectacular were the views that it was them, not the hills that took my breath away. A few times, unable to tear my eyes away from the scenic beauty, I stumbled.
Samantha Goerling, Journalist / Western Australia / Women's 10km / Falefa Falls Run, Jan 2016

A magic swim! Beautiful flat conditions with the sun rising up over Rangitoto Is. Moss Burmester on the kayak definitely helped with some good advice on the water about easy spotting for the buoys at each end - aim for the 2nd cliff going down, and aim for the Norfolk Pine on the way back. I totally recommend this event to anyone wanting to swim 10km, 7.5km or 5km. It is a lovely bay to swim and the event was well organised. Can't wait for the next Long Bay 10km.
Mark Lenaarts, Auckland / WINNER Long Bay 10km Swim / Dec, 2015

Thanks for organising the swim today, much appreciated and a great job!
Stuart Whitney, Auckland / Long Bay 10km Swim / Dec, 2015

You couldn't ask for a more scenic route- next time I'll do some training and hopefully enjoy the surrounds a little more!!
Ariane Stevenson, Winner 10km / Falefa Bay Run Nov 2015
(Also, Lalomanu Half Marathon women's winner, 2015)

Great Event, amazing scenery.
Larissa Tichon, Winner 6km / Falefa Bay Run, Nov 2015
Australian Junior Ultra Runner of the Year 2013

The Tour of Samoa is the best of both worlds...great cycling with challenges for all levels of rider. And absolutely beautiful stage stops which provide the perfect backdrop for relaxing with a bunch of fabulous people. It is one of the best run events I have participated in and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys cycling and meeting great people.
Katheren Leitner, Lecturer and Business Developer, NZ / Tour of Samoa 2015

Beat the Heat was a really well organised race and great fun to take part in. It's great to do a non wetsuit swim at that time of year in the calm bay and the cycle was beautiful going out along the coast past lovely beaches and through the villages with people cheering one other side. The run was tough as the heat got up but with some breeze as it takes place on the peninsula. I met some great people and it's a really social and fun race and a chance to meet some locals and hear more about life in Samoa. I look forward to doing it again and I'd love to be able to stay for the Swim Series too.
Mark Craig, NZ / Triathlete, Winner - Beat the Heat 2015

We were blown away by the friendly and well organised events.
Clark & Clara Ambrose, Nelson NZ / Samoa Swim Series 2015

Having attended the SSS three years in a row, I can't think of another organised swim event - anywhere - where you get so much great swimming, with so many good people, in such beautiful waters. The SSS is a fantastic and affordable adventure holiday which caters for everyone.
Michele Surcouf, Nelson NZ / Samoa Swim Series 2013-15

A well organised Open Water swim series that caters to all levels of swimming, set in one of the best undiscovered family friendly holiday destinations I know of. Which probably explains why there are so many repeat entrants. A must for any swimmers bucket list.
Scott Kristiansen, Canberra, Aust / SSS 2014-15
BIG Warrior 2015 - Warrior Race, Pacific Open Water Challenge, Samoa Swim Series

A very memorable event. The early starts meant a lot of downtime to relax and enjoy what Samoa has to offer and spend some time with a great bunch of friends. You get to see all of Samoa and the roads are good. Well organised, well catered for and well supported. Highly recommended for the keen road cyclist. I am already booked for ToS 2016 as I don’t want to miss out!
Brent Thomas, Wellington / Commercial Manager / Contact Energy
Tour of Samoa 2015

The Pacific Open Water Swim Challenge (10km & 5km) has been my favourite distance swimming competition. It stands out due to spectacular location,water clarity and the fish can be a real distraction! As a well travelled open water swimmer, Samoa is at the “top” of the pile as a swimming location. I thoroughly enjoyed the swimming, but also the multitude of activities that Seti and his team offers, makes it a very special experience."
Reece Southall – Brisbane, Australia
POWC champion 2014, SSS Champion 2014 & 2015
Samoa International Athlete of the Year 2014

First impressions are everything….and my 1st experience with the Samoa Swim Series in 2014 did not disappoint. Seti Afoa’s passion and drive towards ensuring that the events are run professionally combined with having an opportunity to experience Samoan culture make some excellent memories, as well as gaining many new friends. I may not be a fast swimmer, but when you have a turtle swim past you in a race, well that’s a once in a lifetime experience……Currently planning my 3rd trip back for Samoa Swim Series 2016.
Martyn Southall – Brisbane, Australia
Samoa Swim Series 2014-15

Awesome event, thoroughly enjoyable in beautiful clear and clean water.
Kane Orr, Canberra, Australia / English Channel Swimmer
Samoa Swim Series 2014 / Pacific Open Water Challenge (10km & 5km) 2014-15 / Upolu-Savai'i Swim 2015

The 5 Islands Swim Series is a great test of endurance. Each swim is unique in its natural beauty, tidal movements and challenges. You will come away from this experience with confidence and a great skill set to use anywhere else you choose to swim.
Christina Harris, Nelson / Five Islands 2015 CHAMPION
(Also, SSS 2014=15, Pacific Open Water Challenge 2013-15, Warrior Race / Team, 2013)

The Tour of Samoa was the perfect cycling adventure through the beautiful Islands of Upolu and Savai'i. We ventured around the scenic rural villages and were warmly welcomed at every destination. This is a fantastic event and a great opportunity to meet people and ride alongside the friendliest local and international cyclists.
Rebecca Marley, 28, NZ / Tour of Samoa 2015
Defending Women's Champion

I love coming along to Samoa to cover Seti's events. Samoa is such a stunning sporting destination and Seti and his team put on amazing events that capture this, but also the beauty of the locals and the joy of a shared experience with like minded people make them so special.
Scott Taylor / Scottie T Photography / Preferred Samoa Events Photographer
Samoa SwimSeries 2013-15 / Warrior Race, 2013, 2015
Tour of Samoa, 2014-17 / Lalomanu Half Marathon, 2014
Pacific Open Water Challenge, 2013-18

Tahiti Swims 2019

Kevin Pollman's review of Apolima Strait

Kuniyoshi Watanabe, Savaii Marathon winner 2017

Day before the big Swim at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Resort
Click on the image for the Swim article in Samoa Observer

Jason Bryce (Williamstown Open Water Swim) leading the Australia swimmers at the opening Parade. Click on the image to read his account of SSS 2016 - Adventure Magazine NZ / Wildside Travel

Mary Lambie on Tour - Tour of Samoa, 2016
Click on the Image to read Mary's account of the Tour - NZ Women's Weekly TRAVEL Online
Photo, ScottieTPhoto

Tim Robertson taking his turn at the front of the pack. Click on the image to read Tim's account of his Tour of Samoa 2016. Photo, ScottieTPhoto

Richard Birgander of Sweden / American Samoa. Click on the image to hear
his thoughts on the the Inaugural/Trial Sau'ai Savai'i Giants' Triathlon (3/4 Ironman).

All photos, Scottie T Photography

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