October 20, 2025 – The 8th edition of the Olive Picking World Championship once again brought together teams from around the world to the picturesque town of Postira, on the island of Brač, celebrating tradition, community, and friendly competition among olive enthusiasts.
This year marked the fifth participation of the Digital Nomad Team at the Olive Picking World Championship, who proudly finished in 5th place, tying with the United Kingdom. All team members, Alyssa Yap (Malaysia/Australia), Dipak Vadera (Spain), Nora Bohanon (United States), and Edward Guzmán (Bolivia), joined the championship for the first time, led by team captain Guoste Treciakauskaite (Lithuania).
The championship kicked off with a warm welcome at Hotel Pastura, where teams met for the opening ceremony, followed by a festive dinner and cultural exchange. The following morning, the olive groves came alive as teams from around the world raced to pick as many olives as possible in the allotted time, a task that demanded both teamwork and stamina.
“It was such a fun mix of teamwork, laughter, and different cultures,” shared Nora Bohanon, reflecting on her first experience at the championship. “Definitely not your average weekend activity — absolutely worth it.”
Beyond the competition, participants immersed themselves in the island’s rich olive-growing heritage through tours, tastings, and workshops. For Alyssa Yap, the weekend captured the essence of what makes Croatia special for remote workers: “This was a great weekend and event that brings tradition, fun, and community together. We met people from around the world, learned about olive picking and production, and saw how olives are so embedded in life here in Croatia. I waited two years to be part of this, and I can’t wait till next year.”
For some participants, this was not only a competition but also a discovery of a new passion. “Participating in the World Championship in Olive Picking was truly one of the most thrilling and unique experiences of my life,” said Edward Guzmán. “Going from an amateur to a professional olive picker in under 45 minutes felt surreal, and making it to the top 5 was the cherry on top!”
Team captain Guoste Treciakauskaite emphasized the cultural value of the event, calling it “a meaningful experience to pick olives in the traditional way, visit a family-owned olive museum, and connect with people from so many different countries and cultures.”
And for Dipak Vadera, the weekend left a lasting impression: “I came for the experience but left with a deep respect for the people who turn olives into liquid gold through patience and craft. It was a wholesome, grounding, and fun weekend. I’d gladly throw my name in the hat for the next edition.”
Now in its fifth year of participation, the Digital Nomad Team continues to bridge Croatia’s local traditions with the global remote work community. Through events like this, DNA Croatia and its partners highlight how authentic cultural experiences can bring people together while promoting Croatia as a welcoming destination for digital nomads.
Congratulations to Alyssa, Dipak, Guoste, Edward, and Nora for their incredible effort during the competition and for proudly representing the Digital Nomad Team this year.
A big thank you to the Postira Tourist Board and its director, Ivana Jelinčić, for their incredible work behind the scenes, as well as the organizing team — Šteka, Eti, Ljerka, and our good friend, Daniel Lacko.
Special thanks to the Croatian National Tourist Board for their ongoing support of the Digital Nomad Team, and to Hotel Pastura for providing excellent accommodation throughout the event.
To discover more about Postira and its events, visit the Postira Tourist Board’s official website.
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