#6VIRTUAL
THE ‘33 days of training’ EDITION
Win a free UltraSwim 33.3 entry worth €1800!
Swim the iconic 33.3km distance of the English Channel, spread over not just the usual 4, but 33 days! In your local pool, whilst travelling or in open water, divided over as many sessions as you want - just nail a full 33.3km between 17 March and 18 April 2025, including at least one 5km session, and BE ENTERED IN TO THIS AMAZING FREE PRIZE DRAW.
Join us as the European open water season approaches, burn off those winter calories (for the northerners), and you could win a free entry to #10Montenegro October 2025 (or the 2026 edition) worth 1800 Euros. We’ve also got some of our cool UltraSwim 33.3 microtowel ponchos, Magic5 goggles and Precision nutrition as prizes! All Finishers, regardless of speed or total distance swum beyond 33.3km, will have an equal chance of winning.
THE ‘VIRTUAL’ EDITION
Record all your swims from 17 March onwards, EITHER in the new OPENSWIM app OR via your Strava account (join our Strava Club), to be classed as a #6VIRTUAL Finisher and be entered in to the prize draw.
Both the OpenSwim app and Strava apps are free (no need to be Premium member on Strava either). If you don’t use a watch or device to record your swims, you can even add them manually in the OpenSwim app (but not on Strava). OpenSwim is a new app - and for now only available in Europe (inc UK), on Apple and Android.
PRIZE DRAW - look what you can WIN!
All those completing the challenge will be put in to a free draw to win first and foremost a free ULTRA package entry in to #10Montenegro, or the same event in 2026 if you’re unable to make 2025. There will also be 10 runner-up prizes including our super new recycled microfibre towel ponchos, MAGIC5 goggles and Precision Fuel&Hyrdation sample packs!
HOW do I join this virtual challenge?
Step 1: SIGN UP!
FILL IN OUR ENTRY FORM HERE
A - IF YOU ARE IN UK/EUROPE USE THE OPENSWIM APP:
Download the OpenSwim app on your mobile [App Store or Android Play Store search for “OpenSwim” (one word)]
Create an account
Choose “Community” option on bottom of screen, then ‘Events’ tab and you should see “UltraSwim 33.3 #6Virtual”
Connect your Garmin/Apple/Suunto/Strava account to OpenSwim [top left menu, ‘My Account’ / Connected devices] and the swims will register automatically against our challenge. Or add swims manually if you are not using a connected device [top left menu, ‘My Account’ / ‘Report a Swimming Session’]
Step 2:
B - OR IF YOU ARE NOT IN EUROPE, USE STRAVA METHOD:
Login to your Strava account [if new to Strava, you can create a free account, and connect your watch to sync with it via Settings - you do not need a Premium account]
Join our Club “UltraSwim 33.3” [Clubs are under Groups in the Strava app, search “33.3”]
Record your swims as normal on Strava
Ensure you’ve joined our Strava Club and you swims will appear in the Club leaderboard
You can ALSO join the challenge in the OpenSwim app (if in Europe) so it automatically adds up your swims during the challenge period - do that by following the instructions in part A above and connect your OpenSwim app to Strava (OpenSwim only available in Europe at present)
Step 3:
Even if you use OPENSWIM, if you have STRAVA please in any case join our Strava club
Step 4: Swim!
Log 33.3 km over the 33 days of the challenge however you wish - but must include one 5km swim session. All swims can be in a pool, or in open water, or a mix. Please tag your Strava posts with @ultraswim333 and #6virtual - thanks!
Your pace does not matter! Enjoy!
150 years ago this coming August, in 1875, Captain Matthew Webb was the first to swim the English Channel, considered “impossible” at the time. This ‘Everest’ of open water swimming is the inspiration for UltraSwim 33.3. Of course he swam more than the theoretically shortest distance of 33.3km - but you should also aim to complete this virtual swim objective in less than his 21 hours 45 minutes record. He was swimming breaststroke and his refuelling included beer! If you want to push yourself a bit harder, then aim for America’s Gertrude Ederle’s 1926 first female crossing record of 14 hours and 34 minutes. We’ll be celebrating the centenary of her amazing feat next year!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
WOWSA event of year 2024
Top Rated & Gold Racecheck awards - check out the reviews!
“The best organized event I have ever taken part of!!” S.G.
“This adventure swim event from the very first moment has been planned and supported with incredible detail. Support through zoom calls and whatsapp before the event, helped dispel any nerves, questions and ensure that clear instruction was understood. On arrival a family welcome was given, nothing corporate or cold. The swims were amazing, best swim experience I have ever had. Logistics of the course were carefully checked and adjusted with the weather, with safety kayaks at hand at every moment. The food and accommodation were class and feeding stations en route were timely, with precision nutrition. An amazing experience which is worth every penny, challenging course, outstanding support and community, new friends and I will be back as Arnie says! “Paul. L