SWIM THE WORLD BRAZIL
FIVE MORE… TOP BEACH SWIMS Inspired by sand and sea breezes? Here are five more top beach swims around the world…
INTERNATIONAL WINTER SWIMMING MARATHON
Where: Thessaloniki, Greece Next event: January 2012 Greece is oſt en associated with leisurely summer beach holidays. But it’s also the location for the world’s only winter sea race held in water below 10˚C. Publicity is kept to a minimum for this intriguing event. Distance: 1km See:
marathonswim.gr/agones_en.html
DISTANCE SWIM CHALLENGE
Where: Venice Beach, California Next event: August 2012 In this California swim, competitors leave from Manhat an beach and swim up the coast to Venice beach. For the longest distance (12.6mi) swimmers exit the water seven times to pass through on-shore checkpoints. In 2010 the black ex-NFL American Footballer Marcellus Wiley swam the 1 mile distance aſt er learning to swim in just three months. Qualifying swims are required for most distances. Distance: 1.2 miles, 2.4 miles, 4.8 miles and 12.6 miles See:
distanceswimchallenge.com
WAIKIKI ROUGHWATER SWIM
Where: Waikiki Bay, Hawaii Next event: 3 September 2012 The fi rst swim across the legendary Waikiki Bay took place in 1970 and the original organiser, Jim Cot on, stresses that the Waikiki Roughwater is still above all a community swim, open to anyone who can manage the distance. Distance: 2.4miles (3.8km) See:
wrswim.com
KING OF THE BAYS
Where: Auckland, New Zealand Next event: 31 March 2012 Following the coast from Milford Beach to Takapuna Beach on Auckland’s North Shore, the King of the Bays swim is the fi nal event of the 5-part New Zealand Ocean Swim Series. As swimmers complete the 2.8km swim, they can look over to the city of Auckland on one side, and the volcanic island of Rangitoto on the other. Distance: 200m (children), 300m, 1km, 2.8km See:
oceanswim.co.nz/events/king-of-the-bays-north-shore
SHEKO CHALLENGE
Where: Hong Kong Next event: July 2012 Participants swim 2.2km from Hong Kong’s Big Wave Bay to Rocky Bay, but there are also beach sprints, a BBQ, frisbee and a DJ at this festive, family-friendly event. Open water swimming has a low profi le in Hong Kong – but along with the Clean Half (a 14.5 km swim in October), this event is helping it to catch on. A new category this year allows swimmers to use fi ns. Distance: 2.2km See:
shekochallenge.com
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Monteiro believes that the public location of the event at the beach is fundamental to its spirit. “The location helps to reinforce the democratic character of King and Queen of the Sea, and at racts more participants each year,” he says. As always, a portion of the income this year will be given to a charity supporting heart surgery for children. Open water swimming is a popular sport in Brazil because of the country’s international success in the sport, and the King and Queen of the Sea course will be the location for the 10km swim at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Monteiro believes the location has the ideal combination
of factors for the Olympic swim: “It’s protected from adverse climate conditions and its beauty is emblematic of Rio de Janeiro’s postcard scenery,” he explains. As with many swimming events, its Facebook group provides
evidence of the enthusiasm it generates: as photos are posted of the amateur challenge, swimmers leave comments announcing their intention to swim in the next race. “The water temperature was wonderful, and the day beautiful”, writes one delighted poarticipant. Northern-hemisphere swimmers may be forgiven a twinge of jealousy at sea temperatures: which, at 22-28˚C, mean wetsuits are few and far between.
Another amateur, Edvando Junior Nascimento Santos, explains the swim’s appeal: “I’m a swimming lover, and this event is one of the best for a million reasons,” he says. “To swim at Copacabana beach is an incredible experience. Not only do you have the beautiful scenery of Rio, but also the most beautiful people in the world watching your performance.” “Most of all, my friend, when you are swimming in the sea, the nature drives you to connect with yourself. You wonder why people are at war, when there are so many good things to do." ○
There's always a furious sprint to the fi nish
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