9ª edición de Aguas Abiertas Chile

The water here holds a steady, rhythmic stillness, a stark contrast to the historical turbulence that once defined the surrounding valley. As you pull through the center of the course, you are effectively navigating an artificial basin, Laguna Los Morros, which was carved into this private landscape in 1995 for high-speed water sports. Looking toward the horizon, the silhouette of Cerro Chena dictates the skyline; its name, derived from the Quechuan term for a puma in its oestrous cycle, marks a site where the last Inca, Tala Canta Ilabe, once gathered communities for the Inti Raymi festival. Swimming these laps, you are tracing the geography of a region caught between ancient ceremonial traditions and the industrial expansion of the 20th century.

Historical currents under the surface

While the water remains calm, the land beneath and around the course carries heavy memories. A few kilometers away, the former Maestranza San Bernardo, which stood as the second-largest railway workshop in South America between 1916 and 1921, still looms in the collective consciousness of the locals. The intensity of your stroke might mirror the historical volatility of this area, specifically the Battle of Las Tres Acequias in 1814, a clash between Bernardo O'Higgins and José Miguel Carrera that reshaped the early path of the Chilean War of Independence. Near the Maipo riverbed, the landscape also bears the marks of the now-closed Cerro Negro landfill, a site that has seen a complete transformation into a residential hub over the last two decades.

Race day at Valle Maipo

The 9th edition of Aguas Abiertas Chile, scheduled for October 17, 2026, brings swimmers to this unique venue to compete across 1,000, 2,000, or 3,000-meter distances. The 3,000-meter event is structured as a relay, requiring three distinct laps of the one-kilometer buoyed course. Registration fees range from 35 to 90 EUR, a cost that reflects the logistical requirements of managing a private water venue, including specialized medical teams and safety kayak support. The atmosphere on race day is inseparable from the local culture of San Bernardo, which identifies as the capital of Chilean folklore, frequently celebrating the traditional Cueca dance. As you finish your final segment, you are participating in a modern athletic tradition that continues to layer new experiences onto this historically dense Chilean valley.