Cruce a Nado Internacional

, Barrio Playa, Ponce, Puerto Rico The competition started in 1980 under the sponsorship of the Ponce Municipal Government. It has gained popularity every year with a greater number of athletes participating from an equally greater number of countries. In 2008, 16 countries were represented. The competition abides by the rules of the Federación Internacional de Natación (FINA) (International Swimming Federation) and the approval of the Federación Puertorriqueña de Natación (FPN) (Puerto Rican Swimming Federation). Countries that have competed in the past include Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela. The competition originally included local Puerto Rican swimmers only, but after two years, it was opened to foreign nationals as well. It is a common practice to dedicate the event to athletes who have made outstanding accomplishments in the sport. On 4 September 2011, the 30th annual competition was dedicated to Orlando Fernández, a.k.a. "The Puerto Rican Aquaman", the first Puerto Rican to swim across the Strait of Gibraltar, in recognition of his accomplishments. ==Venue==

The competition consists of crossing the Bay of Ponce from Cardona Island, which is situated about 1.5 nautical miles from mainland's Puerto Rico southern shores in Ponce, to the southern shore of Puerto Rico at Ponce. The entire event starts on the Thursday before the Sunday of the competitions with music, shows and traditional foods. The Ponce Municipal Government contributes $20,000 to the costs of celebrating the event. ==Procedure==

Athletes are taken by boat to Isla Cardona which is located just 1.5 nautical miles from the mainland. At the sound of the whistle, athletes then swim the 2,800 meters - 1.5 nautical miles - across the bay towards sector El Malecón in Playa de Ponce. Athletes arrive at Parque Enrique González in Playa de Ponce, which is located across from the U.S. Customs House and has an area with steps that lead down to the bay waters. The first athlete to arrive is the winner. First place, second place, and third place awards are given. The Mayor of Ponce awaits athletes at El Malecon's finish line to bestow medals, prizes and other awards on the winners. Beyond the two main competitive divisions based on gender (Men's and Women's), the 2009 event consisted of two categories: "Categoria Abierta", open to those between ages 13 and 25; and "Categoria Masters", open to those over 26 years of age. The 2011 edition also had the "Over 56+" category for those 56 years old and older. ==Winners==

As an added bonus and incentive to the first Puerto Rican who makes it to the finish line, in 2008 the municipality added the "Copa Héctor Pérez" (Spanish for Héctor Pérez Cup), which is given to the athlete with those qualities and merit. In 2008, it went to Nathaniel Ramos. Héctor Pérez Torres, born in Playa de Ponce, is a sportsman and community leader, and has been organizing the Cruce a Nado Internacional event. 2005 (25th Competition) As reported by Panama's La Prensa, here is the list of winners. Men's Division 2009 (29th Competition) As reported by the La Regata: el Periodico Nautico de Puerto Rico newsweekly, here is the list of winners. Men's Division Women's Division 56+ Division 2010 (30th Competition) Here are the 2010 Men's and Women's winners: Men's Division Women's Division 2011 (31st Competition) As reported by "El Sur a la Vista", here are the 2011 winners in each of the three divisions. Men's Division Women's Division 56+ Division 2012 (32nd Competition) As reported by "La Perla del Sur", here are the 2012 winners. Men's Division 2013 (33rd Competition) As reported by La Perla del Sur newsweekly, here is the list of winners. Men's Division Women's Division Puerto Rican Men's Swimmers awards Puerto Rican Women's Swimmers awards 2014 (34th Competition) As reported by La Perla del Sur newsweekly, here is the list of winners. Men's Division Women's Division Puerto Rican Men's Swimmers awards Puerto Rican Women's Swimmers awards 2015 (35th Competition) As reported by DeportivAPP and Agenda56 here is the list of winners. Men's Division 2016 (36th Competition) As reported by DeportivAPP, here is the list of winners. Men's Division 2017 (37th Competition) As reported by 1968: Noticias de Natación de Venezuela y el Mundo, here is the list of winners. Men's Division Women's Division 2018 (38th Competition) The 38th Competition was scheduled for 2 September 2018. 2019 (39th Competition) The event took place on 1 September 2019 (see article photos). 2020 The 2020 competition did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 (40th Competition) The 40th Competition was scheduled to take place on 5 September 2021. 2022 (41st Competition) The 41st edition, scheduled for 4 September 2022, but was halted due to inclement weather. Swimmers at the starting point on Isla Cardona were rescued and brought back to the Ponce mainland due to safety concerns. 2023 (42nd Competition) The 42th edition was scheduled for 3 September 2023, with over 90 swimmers representing eight countries. 2024 (43rd Competition) This event was scheduled for 1 September 2024. Another swimming event also took place during the same weekend named El Panamericano de Aguas Abiertas de PanAm Aquatics. The event was co-ordinted with the Cruce a Nado event personnel, and was open to children as young as 12 years old. Twenty-two swimmers representing five countries took part in this additional Panamericano event. 2025 (44th Competition) The 44th Competition took place in September, 2025. ==See also==