PACEON – Aqua-X Challenge
About the race
PACEON AQUA-X Challenge brings swimming and functional fitness together in a competition that tests your strength, stamina, and endurance. Organised by PACEON, the event takes place on 6 December 2026 at the BCU Pool, Bangalore City University.
Whether you are a young athlete entering the Junior category, an experienced competitor taking on the Elite challenge, or looking to compete as a team, AQUA-X offers multiple formats to test your capabilities.
Age Groups
Awards & recognition
- Podium trophies for podium finishers across categories
- Cash prizes for the Elite category
Rules and regulations
Competition Rules
- Complete all activities in the prescribed order and category.
- Complete the specified swimming distances and exercise repetitions using demonstrated technique and judging standards.
- Stay within assigned swimming lanes and workout stations.
- Incorrect repetitions will not be counted.
- Participants may rest when required, but the timer will continue.
- Skipping activities, outside assistance, and interference with other participants are not permitted.
- Judges' decisions on exercise completion and penalties are final.
Swimming & Pool Safety
- Must demonstrate the ability to swim 50 metres within 120 seconds during mandatory assessment.
- Pushing, pulling lane ropes, diving starts, and underwater breath-holding challenges are not permitted.
- Running, jumping, and pushing on the pool deck are prohibited.
- Swimming cap, goggles, and appropriate swimwear are mandatory. Cotton clothing is not allowed inside the pool.
- Avoid jewellery, watches, and loose accessories.
- Stop immediately and notify staff if experiencing cramps, dizziness, breathlessness, panic, or unusual fatigue.
General Precautions
- Warm up before the competition and stay hydrated.
- Do not participate if unwell or injured; report medical conditions before the event.
- Report at least 15 minutes before your allocated time slot.
Junior category guidelines
- Parent or guardian consent is mandatory and they must be present at the venue.
- Emergency contact details and age proof are required.
- Swimming competency assessment is compulsory (50 metres within 120 seconds).
- Juniors will receive age-appropriate supervision.
- Participation is subject to BCU's pool safety approval and safeguarding arrangements.
What your entry includes
The course
Participants will alternate between swimming distances and land-based exercises, completing each activity in the prescribed order. The challenge includes swimming, walking lunges, squats, push-ups, burpees, jumping jacks, and abdominal crunches, with distances and repetitions varying across categories. The competition takes place in a 50-metre pool with a depth of 7 feet throughout.
Competition format
Junior Individual Categories (8-10, 11-13, 14-17 years)
Swim 50m → Walking Lunges 50m → Swim 50m → Squats 20 reps → Swim 50m → Push-ups 10 reps → Swim 50m → Jumping Jacks 15 reps
Open Individual Categories
Open Men: Swim 50m → Walking Lunges 100m → Swim 50m → Squats 50 reps → Swim 50m → Push-ups 35 reps → Swim 50m → Burpees 24 reps → Swim 50m → Ab Crunches 40 reps.
Open Women: Swim 50m → Walking Lunges 100m → Swim 50m → Squats 35 reps → Swim 50m → Knee-supported Push-ups 35 reps → Swim 50m → Burpees 20 reps → Swim 50m → Ab Crunches 30 reps.
Elite Individual Categories
Elite Men: Swim 100m → Walking Lunges 150m → Swim 100m → Squats 65 reps → Swim 100m → Push-ups 50 reps → Swim 100m → Burpees 36 reps → Swim 100m → Ab Crunches 60 reps.
Elite Women: Swim 100m → Walking Lunges 150m → Swim 100m → Squats 50 reps → Swim 100m → Knee-supported Push-ups 50 reps → Swim 100m → Burpees 30 reps → Swim 100m → Ab Crunches 45 reps.
Doubles Categories (Men's, Women's, Mixed)
Swim 100m → Walking Lunges 150m → Swim 100m → Squats 65 reps → Swim 100m → Push-ups 50 reps → Swim 100m → Burpees 36 reps → Swim 100m → Ab Crunches 60 reps.
In Doubles, one partner handles swimming while the other performs land activities according to the relay format.
Location
BCU Pool, Bangalore City University, Bengaluru, India Open in Google Maps
City insight: Bengaluru
Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka, India's technology hub and one of its strongest running cities, known as the Garden City for its parks, lakes and tree-lined streets. At about 900 metres it has a mild climate: summers (March to May) are warm and dry, the monsoon (June to September) brings regular afternoon showers, and winters (November to February) are cool and pleasant with chilly mornings. October to February is the best time to race, with comfortable temperatures for long distances. Heavy rain can interrupt events in the monsoon. It has a major international airport and a growing metro.
Know from the athletes
Good to know
When and where is PACEON AQUA-X Challenge taking place?
The event will take place on 6 December 2026 at the BCU Pool, Bangalore City University, Bengaluru.
What makes AQUA-X different from a regular swimming competition?
AQUA-X combines swimming with functional fitness exercises. Participants alternate between pool distances and land-based activities such as squats, lunges, push-ups, burpees and abdominal crunches.
What are the different categories available?
Participants can register under Junior Individual (8–10, 11–13 and 14–17 years), Open Individual (Men's and Women's), Elite Individual (Men's and Women's), and Doubles (Men's, Women's and Mixed).
How is the competition structured?
Participants must complete a sequence of swimming and strength activities. The sequence and required distances or repetitions vary depending on the selected category.
How much swimming is involved in the challenge?
Junior: Four 50m swims, totalling 200m. Open: Five 50m swims, totalling 250m. Elite: Five 100m swims, totalling 500m. Doubles: Five 100m swims, totalling 500m.
Do I need to be an experienced swimmer to participate?
Participants must be confident swimmers and successfully pass the mandatory swimming competency assessment.