Insights, Stories, and Updates
Meet Melanie Barratt
A double Paralympic champion and the first blind woman to swim the English Channel. Melanie's journey, from swimming in pools to conquering open water, proves that with innovation, community, and an unyielding spirit, anything is possible.
Follow Melanie’s journey and her preparation towards UltraSwim 33.3 #10Montenegro on socials: @blind_girl_swims
Tell us a bit about your swimming journey. When did you start swimming/open water swimming? Did you ever compete?
I learnt to swim when I was a small child, but it wasn’t really until I was a teenager that I started to train and swim competitively. I went to a school that was a special school for visually impaired students, and it was a very sporty school. They helped us learn how to play many sports - I tried goalball, football, basketball, cricket and athletics. I also learnt to swim but I wasn’t any good at it, I liked being in the water and feeling the water around me but I wasn’t very fast at all! It was only when one of my friends was selected to swim at the Paralympics that I started to think that it would be a great thing to do- to combine something that I enjoyed doing with competition. I think what I really enjoyed doing was the training part of it, and the discipline, focus and having a goal to work towards, and this has stayed with me for all of my life to date. So it was only when I went to a school gala when I was about 13 and won a few races that I realized that perhaps if I trained hard enough, I might be able to win some more, and possibly one day compete in the Paralympics.
You are a 5-time Paralympic medalist, tell us about this Paralympic journey. How does it now help you in your open water practice?
After many years of training and competition, eventually I was selected to go to international competitions and compete alongside the people that I’d always admired. I ended up having a long international career travelling all over the world and competing with other blind women. I was lucky enough to swim in many countries and see many fantastic feats of perseverance and endurance and meet incredible people. I won several European titles and World titles but the real highlight of my swimming career where the Paralympics in Atlanta and Sydney. In Atlanta I won gold and silver and in Sydney I won gold silver and bronze.
When did you start open water swimming? What drove you towards the open water? What made it different from the pool?
I had always dreamed about Swimming in open water. While I was competing in the pool, a friend of my family gave me the autobiography of Lynne Cox, an incredible swimmer who has swum in water all over the world and achieved amazing things such as swimming in the Arctic Circle and of course the English Channel. When I swim in a pool, I count my strokes and use markers such as lame ropes to tell where I am in the pool. When I compete, I sometimes use what’s called a tapper which is somebody who uses a ball on a stick to indicate where the end of the pool is. Obviously, this isn’t possible in open water, and sighted swimmers look towards distant objects such as buoys to ensure that they swim straight and safely. So, for many years, I always thought that it would be impossible for me to swim in open water.
This was until a few years ago, when a close friend of mine who is a very accomplished open water swimmer introduce me to Swimming at our local river. Although we didn’t actually swim, we “bobbed” - I was immediately hooked on the feeling of being literally immersed in nature. I loved being surrounded by the sounds of bird song, and the cold, constantly moving water, and the lovely fresh air. I loved the social aspect of it, the teamwork and camaraderie, and longed to be able to actually properly swim in the open water.
How does your blindness impact the way you swim, the needs you might have when swimming? How do you adapt in open water?
My swimming friend unfortunately was not the same pace as me so could not act as a guide, and to this day I have not been able to find somebody who swims at my pace and wants to do the same thing that I do. Therefore, I’ve had to think outside of the box, and come up with another way of swimming safely. When I swim in open water, I cannot see anything in the water and above the water I can just see colours and shapes. Initially, my husband kayaked next to me in a bright green kayak that I could see when I breathed to the left. This worked quite well for short distances, but for longer distances and more complicated routes it had its challenges! He was unable to communicate with me, and so was not able to tell me of obstacles, directions, information and about other swimmers that may be around. However, we were able to complete our first 10k together, and the Thames marathon - which were both fantastic swims.
Eventually, after doing a lot of research, I discovered that you could use a radio paired with a bone conducting headset. This enabled me to be guided safely from a bank, a boat, or a kayak or paddle board. This was a real breakthrough, because it meant that I could be guided in real time, and swim to my full potential! Once I started using this system, I became a lot more confident, and completed many swims in open water. These included two solos of Lake Windermere, several more Thames marathons, and being part of a six person all female relay team that swam the length of Lake Geneva!
In 2024, you became the first blind swimmer to cross the English Channel. What drove you to this challenge? Was it your first crossing?
After reading Lynn Cox‘s book, my dream had always been to swim the English Channel. After several years of training to increase my mental and physical stamina,, cold tolerance, improve my stroke and efficiency and deal with my fear of jellyfish, last summer it was finally my time in the channel.
I think that all of my years of pool swimming have really helped my open water swimming because my stroke is very efficient, and also very even, which means that I swim very straight!
How did you train for the English Channel crossing? For how long?
To train for the English Channel I was unable to access open water very often, so much of my training was done in the swimming pool. During the course of last year, running up to my attempt, I trained for increasing lengths of time in the pool. This was not just about increasing the distance I could swim, although that was a big part of it; I also included a lot of interval training to help with my fitness and recovery and strength. The longest time that I’ve ever spent in a pool was when I swam for four hours. Training like this is more about training your mind than your body, because it was mind-blowingly boring!
One of the most valuable things I did last year was to go on a swim trek long distance training camp. I learnt so much about myself and about what I needed to do in the run-up to and during my crossing. I was given some fantastic advice that will stay with me through every swim I did and will do in the futures. I also took every opportunity I could to swim in the sea, and to expose myself to cold water. This cold-water tolerance was a real concern of mine, to the point that I actually started doing daily immersions in a whiskey barrel in my garden!
What obstacles did you meet during your crossing? How did you overcome?
In the run-up to my channel crossing, I was really nervous about many things. Mostly the cold, but also the weather, the waves, whether my body and mind could last the distance-but I was also really scared of jellyfish! As it turned out, we could not have had a more perfect day. There was no wind, no rain, no waves, and actually not really any tide or even any jellyfish! Well, rather, the jellyfish were there, but I didn’t get stung!
Your worst memory of the English Channel crossing?
Despite being the most incredible day, I did go for a really rough patch at about halfway. I started to feel really, really sick, really tired, negative and completely overwhelmed. I’d practiced my feeding many times during pool swims and open water swims. I’m really not sure what went wrong, perhaps it was the stress of trying to feed so quickly, but my feeds really didn’t work well for me. I genuinely thought that I would have to give up, and this is where all the advice I had been given ready, really helped me. I just kept swimming and swimming and swimming and gradually I started to feel less sick. I started to have just water, with a few tinned peaches and banana and even a fondant fancy! I have since realized, that my body really does not need an endless supply of energy drinks!
Your best memory of the EC crossing?
The most incredible part of my crossing was definitely when I landed in France! After 12 hours and 20 minutes my swim pal Natalie helped to guide me in to France. I’d had dreams of landing on a beautiful sandy beach in the sunset, but reality was very different! Instead, I had a very inelegant scramble up the rocks of cap Gris Nez - but the feeling of achievement and satisfaction and pride was absolutely huge.
How did you feel after the crossing (immediately after, but also in the following weeks/months)?
In the months since I swam the English Channel, it took me a little while to recover my energy physically and mentally. But I am still reveling in the achievement and it almost seems like a dream! I still haven’t got back into a good routine of swimming, I am doing lots of other sports to keep fit, but I’m just starting to swim a little more because I have several challenges this year - including UltraSwim 33.3 #10Montenegro!
You have achieved many huge swimming challenges, which one are you the proudest of and why?
Out of all of my Swimming achievements, in fact, out of all of my achievements in life to date, Swimming the channel is the thing that I am most proud of. I had to overcome so many hurdles and challenges just to get to the start beach. Then to have such an incredible day, with such an incredible team, and swim from Dover to France and to be the first blind woman to do so gives me an immense feeling of pride and satisfaction. It gives me confidence in my Swimming ability, my mental strength, endurance, and confidence in who I am and what I can achieve.
You have recently won silver medal both in the Woman of the Year and Adaptive Performance of the Year categories in the WOWSA Awards, how do you feel about these recognitions?
I would never have been able to achieve all this without some amazing people. From my swim friend Heather, who introduced me to open water, to the team of ladies that supported me across Lake Geneva and my wonderful crew who supported me across the channel. My swimming journey would not have been possible without these people. The open water swimming community is such a welcoming, friendly, supportive and non-judgmental community that welcomes everybody and rejoices is in everybody’s achievements. I truly feel like I have found my tribe. Therefore, I was incredibly honored to be voted number two in the world in the woman of the year and adaptive performance of the year categories in the 2025 WOWSA awards. This means so much to me because the people who voted for me are swimmers and truly understand the challenges we face in open water. Also, there were some incredible women and incredible achievements on the list alongside me!
You will be swimming #10Montenegro this October. Do you have any worries about the event? How are you going to prepare? What are you looking forward to the most?
I am really excited about this challenge; it looks like such a fantastic event! I love the challenge of swimming point to point somewhere new, in the sea too! I also love the fact that it’s several swims over multiple days splitting the challenge up into smaller chunks. I can’t wait to meet everybody involved and get started on the swim! However, I have a lot of training to do before then! I am a little nervous, as I will be swimming somewhere completely new, without my crew! I will be taking my Radio headset and the fantastic team at UltraSwim 33.3 are going to be there to support me alongside the rest of the swimmers. We will have such an awesome time!
In January 2025, you have released a movie « Untethered ». When and why did you decide to film your English Channel crossing journey? How did it feel the first time you’ve watched the full movie? Did it give you another perspective on this achievement?
A few years ago, I was contacted by Danielle Sellwood, who is a filmmaker and had heard about me. We started making a film together about my open water swimming, and she was keen to follow my journey to the channel. Last year, sky sports became involved, and supported the making of the documentary. Danielle filmed my preparation and my swim and produced a film called Untethered. It was released to sky sports last year and has featured on sky sports and sky documentaries and will soon be released to more mainstream channels. It was very exciting to be involved in this process! Although seeing the film for the first time was quite challenging and emotional. But it certainly is lovely to have such a wonderful record of what I achieved last year.
Follow Melanie’s journey and her preparation towards UltraSwim 33.3 #10Montenegro on socials: @blind_girl_swims
COACHES GO FREE! #10MONTENEGRO ONCE ONLY OFFER WORTH 1800-2500 EUROS
The Ultimate UltraSwim Experience Awaits
At UltraSwim 33.3 we love building relationships with the global swim coaching community and we know how valuable your connection with your swimmers is. That’s why we’re inviting you to turn training into an unforgettable experience by joining your clients at UltraSwim 33.3 #10 Montenegro Oct 3-6, 2025. This multi-day format is transformational in terms of relationships - sharing the highs and lows together over 33.3km creates the kinds of client bonds that cannot be bought…
We recognise that coaching isn’t just a job—it’s a passion, and often not the highest-paying one. UltraSwim 33.3 offers you a chance to spend quality time with your swimmers outside of the pool, deepening relationships while swimming through the bays, fjords and crystalline water of the Adriatic Sea in Montenegro. Share this opportunity with your swimmers and take on this challenge together - we’d love to welcome you both to the adventure!
✅ Exclusive Swim Coach Offer for #10Montenegro ONLY – Bring 1 swimmer and get 50% off your entry. Bring 2 swimmers, and you goFREE! Or come on your own to sample it this year, and you’ll benefit from our normal 500 Euros discount on any package. This is the perfect opportunity for qualified coaches to experience UltraSwim 33.3 while supporting their clients.
BOOK HERE and be sure to note on the entry form the names of your swimmers planning to enter (including anyone that already entered).
If you’d like to run your own preparation camp pre-event for your swimmers, we will also facilitate it for you, helping you access training pool time and boat options for open water training and course recce.
SPECIAL OFFERS, FREE ENTRY PRIZES, AND NEW EXTRAS UNIQUE TO #10MONTENEGRO 3-6 October, 2025
So what’s new this year ONLY at #10Montenegro?
We’re celebrating the 150th anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb’sfirst successful crossing of the 33.3km English Channel swim in 1875 with a super Mad March prize draw…
ALL ENTRIES to #10Montenegro made before 31 March 2025, to be entered in an amazing prize draw including a COMPLETELY FREE ENTRY for use in Montenegro in 2025 or 2026, as well more prizes of free upgrades, pre-event camp spots, physio sessions and 1:1 video analysis. With a maximum of 200 people to draw from the odds of winning are great! (NB existing entries are of course entered)
PLUS LOTS OF UNIQUE EXTRAS AT #10MONTENEGRO
✅ With our ULTRA package hotel ACD now full, we are offering a super special upgrade price - the entry level ULTRA service package (1800 Euros), but 5* hotel at the amazing Lazure Hotel & Marina our event base, for ONLY 200 Euros extra - with its super spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and with unquestionably the best pre-swim breakfast of any of our events! Reserve your spot using ULTRA and ask for the upgrade option.
✅ NEW AGE GROUP Category Prizes – For the first time, and only at #10, we’re introducing a male & female 50+ age group podium with prizes. Compete for top honours and celebrate your achievement. 🏅
✅ FREE ENTRY FOR YOUR COACH – Any bonafide swim coach who brings just two swimmers with them will get a completely free entry, or half price with just one! More details HERE
✅ PREPARE with Simon Griffiths, one of open water swimming’s most knowledgeable experts and founder of Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, is hosting a 2 day pre-event preparation camp.
✅ F3 (Friends, Families & Fans) free WINE TOUR: Support your swimming partner on and off the water, be there for the key event moments but enjoy our tailored programme that will include a free vineyard tour!
✅ Inspiring talks from competing English Channel legends - Melanie Barratt, double Paralympic champion and the first blind female to make the crossing, and the incredible Sophie Etheridge, 33.3 finisher in 2024, adaptive athlete and coach.
✅ Choice of swimming the full 33.3 kms or choose our 11.1 DISCOVERY or 22.2 BUILD options. Click here for more details.
Still planning to do another swim event this year? Looking for inspiration for your training sessions? UltraSwim 33.3’s founding event took place in Montenegro and is back from 3-6 October 2025 with some exciting new additions! For the first time UltraSwim 33.3 will have an age group category for 50+ female and male in both skins and wetsuits.
Our average age is 50, so expect some tough competition both under and over 50! No stress for those that are just ‘aiming to finish’ - that's cool too!
UltraSwim 33.3 #10 Montenegro will be our fourth time swimming and racing in the fjords of Montenegro and around the rocky Lustica Peninsula to the stunning and crystalline Adriatic coastline. Montenegro offers everything you can dream up for an epic adventure swim from Cold war era submarine tunnels and caves, hulking Ottoman fortresses, monastery islands and a swim around the iconic Mamula Island which guards the entrance to the Bay of Kotor.
In true UltraSwim 33.3 style you are always accompanied by a full professional team of support boats, kayakers, feed stations and best of all fellow swimmers from dozens of countries.
Why not extend the adventure and join our 2 day Preparation Camp onsite in Montenegro from 30 Sept-2 October, hosted by Simon Griffiths, founder of Outdoor Swimmer magazine. The programme offers a mix of pool sessions, open water practice on segments of the #10 event route, seminars and individual consultations whilst getting to know other swimmers and enjoying the fantastic location and UltraSwim 33.3 vibe ahead of the event.
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this epic adventure swim!
Mad March Prize Draw! Enter by 31st March 2025 and win one of these amazing prizes for #10Montenegro
🌟 A complete FREE ULTRA package entry worth 1800 Euros
🌟 A free space to the PrepCamp hosted by Simon Griffiths (exc hotel) worth 490 Euros
🌟An entry upgrade from ULTRA to ULTRA [4*] worth 700 Euros
🌟A 1:1 video analysis - pre-event with one of our expert coaches worth 150 Euros
🌟 One pre-event physio consultation/checkup with Neil Maclean-Martin worth 150 Euros
🌟 An F3 package for your partner worth 400 Euros
🌟An official hoodie worth 75 Euros
“Sport Scientist at Precision and Fuel Hydration, Chris Harris best tips on nutrition and hydration”.
Part II
Top tips! PF&H products and fueling strategy.
Images by ©Precision Fuel & Hydration
What was your fueling strategy?
On “normal” swims?
I pre-fuelled at breakfast with some plain carbohydrates like rice porridge or white bread plus a little bit of protein with eggs. Then I took a PF 30 Caffeine Gel <15 mins before each swim.
Pre-hydration was essential as I knew swimming in a wetsuit I'd be sweating quite a lot more than in the pool, regardless of the distance, so I drank 500ml of PH 1500 each morning and evening.
On marathon swim?
Same as for the shorter swims, pre-fueling and hydrating optimally. Then carrying up to 4 additional PF 30 Gels inside my wetsuit (either up my arm sleeves or sticking out of my leg cuffs) to have 1 every 25-30 minutes.
In-water feed stations experience (what’s different, how do PF&H product and packaging help when you’re eating directly in the water)
On the brief occasions that we 'stopped' at the feed stations (maximum of ~15 seconds), I made sure I grabbed as many cups of Carb Only Drink Mix to get some fluids in whilst getting some 'bonus fuel' as well. I also tried to take a pre-opened PF 30 Gel as well to save me using one of my in-wetsuit Gels. The Gel wrappers have a non-rip strip at the top meaning the lid stays attached to prevent littering, and the packaging is completely waterproof so you can carry gels underwater without issue.
What is different in terms of nutrition when you go for a longer swim in one go?
When swimming longer it's more important to start fueling and hydrating earlier on in the swim. If you leave it too long, your energy and hydration levels will deteriorate too much, and you'll struggle to keep going after a while. Practice taking something within the first 20-30 minutes if you're going long, and keep regularly topping up. Even if you feel like you don't 'need' it yet, you don't want to be running out before trying to start refilling your fuel tank as you'll likely never catch up.
Images by ©Precision Fuel & Hydration
“Sport Scientist at Precision and Fuel Hydration, Chris Harris shares his experience on #3Croatia and his best tips on nutrition and hydration”.
AlI images ©Precision Fuel & Hydration
Chris’ testimonial #3Croatia
What was your open water swimming experience before #3? This was my first open water swim event. I've competed in triathlons for several years so I have plenty of experience swimming in open water, but not without a bike ride immediately afterwards!
How did you prepare for the event? I did all my preparation in my local 25m pool, it was too cold in England for open water swimming! I regularly swim twice per week, but building towards #3 I ramped this up to 5 times per week starting 4 months prior, and changed by twice-weekly gym sessions to be more upper body focused. My biggest swim sessions included 4 x 2km, and the famous 100x100m averaging 1:14s with 10s rest, a BIG session!
Did you have any worries (distance, multi day, safety, marathon…) and how did it go in the end? I was a bit worried about my durability during the multiple swims per day format. I've never been particularly robust from an injury perspective, and high volume anything tends to find any weakness I do have. I also didn't particularly want to be swimming alone for the super long swims, so I was apprehensive if I'd be able to keep up with the faster swimmers or not.
Best memory? Best non-swimming: Hosting a panel discussion about fuel and hydration in Hvar, so many good questions and I learned a lot from the questions I got.
Best swimming? Taking 2nd place behind Stephane Guisard in the 8km swim, having swam for almost 2 hours and ending in a sprint finish!
Best encounter? Sharing a hotel room with a former swimming legend Krassi Entchev. His stories about swimming in the Olympics and now coaching the national side were inspiring, yet he was so humble about his own achievements.
Feedback about the location. What did you like the most about swimming in Croatia (clear water, water temperature, islands…etc)
I'd never swam in such clear water outside of Hawai'i! I get quite cold swimming in open water, and suffer from Raynaud's condition which limits my circulation in my fingers when I get cold, but I only had that a couple of times during UltraSwim 33.3 at the end of the 2+ hour swims. The point-to-point swims meant it never got boring too!
More about Precision Fuel and Hydration
Images by ©Precision Fuel & Hydration
What was your fueling strategy?
On “normal” swims?
I pre-fuelled at breakfast with some plain carbohydrates like rice porridge or white bread plus a little bit of protein with eggs. Then I took a PF 30 Caffeine Gel <15 mins before each swim.
Pre-hydration was essential as I knew swimming in a wetsuit I'd be sweating quite a lot more than in the pool, regardless of the distance, so I drank 500ml of PH 1500 each morning and evening.
On marathon swim?
Same as for the shorter swims, pre-fueling and hydrating optimally. Then carrying up to 4 additional PF 30 Gels inside my wetsuit (either up my arm sleeves or sticking out of my leg cuffs) to have 1 every 25-30 minutes.
In-water feed stations experience (what’s different, how do PF&H product and packaging help when you’re eating directly in the water)
On the brief occasions that we 'stopped' at the feed stations (maximum of ~15 seconds), I made sure I grabbed as many cups of Carb Only Drink Mix to get some fluids in whilst getting some 'bonus fuel' as well. I also tried to take a pre-opened PF 30 Gel as well to save me using one of my in-wetsuit Gels. The Gel wrappers have a non-rip strip at the top meaning the lid stays attached to prevent littering, and the packaging is completely waterproof so you can carry gels underwater without issue.
What is different in terms of nutrition when you go for a longer swim in one go?
When swimming longer it's more important to start fueling and hydrating earlier on in the swim. If you leave it too long, your energy and hydration levels will deteriorate too much, and you'll struggle to keep going after a while. Practice taking something within the first 20-30 minutes if you're going long, and keep regularly topping up. Even if you feel like you don't 'need' it yet, you don't want to be running out before trying to start refilling your fuel tank as you'll likely never catch up.
Images by ©Precision Fuel & Hydration
2024 by numbers: an amazing first multi-edition year!
You were 366 swimmers from 28 countries taking on our Epic Adventure Swim Races in Croatia, Greece and Montenegro this year!
Image ©Vincent Curutchet / UltraSwim 33.3
5 MONTHS to go to #7CROATIA - our Founder’s favourite racecourse, especially the planned day2, which takes swimmers in and out of 7 beautiful unspoilt bays, one after the other.
THE PERFECT NEW YEAR RESOLUTION! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW
52% FEMALE: In 2024 the scales tipped in favour of our female participants - 52% overall, and our hundreds of 2025 entrants are maintaining this! No need to any special formats or pushing, UltraSwim 33.3 is officially female led!
61 YEARS SEPARATE THE YOUNGEST AND OLDEST: We had swimmers from age 14 to 75 in 2024, with something similar already lined up for 2025 - with our dear Corrado from Italy back for his third 33.3, and this at time at age 72. The median age was 50 years old.
NEW YORK TO LONDON AND BACK and some - our EPIC swimmers covered over 12,200 km and something like a quarter of million if you include all the training miles, more than half way to the moon!
16% OF YOU NEVER TRAIN IN A POOL - whereas 84% train ‘mostly’ in a pool, and 64% of you intended to start our events in a wetsuit.
18-27C WATER TEMPERATURES of course varied throughout the year and the venues. Probably the most 'efficient' temperature for open water swimming was in Croatia with 19-20C on race days - coupled with the gorgeous turquoise waters!
26 NATIONALITIES living in 28 countries have attended our events to date - from New Zealand to Brazil, Sweden to Morocco, Singapore to Canada, with USA and UK lining up as the biggest contingents, closely followed by Brazil, Germany and France.
44% OF YOU came through a friend's recommendation, and your reviews on RaceCheck gave us between 4.8 and 4.9 star rating - thank you! A majority of you travelled alone to the event, but most of you went home with a new set of global friends!
AVERAGE PACE 2.9KM/H - thanks to our #3 swimmer Svetlana, we had these great graphics are our events to show the super spread of speed - from our cut-off pace of 2km/h up to our fastest overall pace for an event which was Michael Dieckmann who averaged over 4km/h on some of the swims.
2036 POST SWIM REFUEL LUNCHES were served in some really cool places, and 23% percent of them took in to account special dietary needs - an important detail that is not always easy to deliver in remote restaurants with different cultural priorities!
Images by ©Precision Fuel & Hydration
78 KAYAKERS SUPPORTED you during your swims this year, paddling over 3,200 km between them to keep you safe
3,750 Precision Fuel&Hydration gels and the popular chews consumed by our swimmers at refuel stations on the longer swims and on the startline - thanks to Andy Blow and the team at Precision who kept you fuelled and turning those arms for longer than many of you thought possible! Working with these guys on how to reduce the packaging element though for 2025 for our feedstation supply (there is a refuel stop in any swim longer than 5km).
Images by ©Precision Fuel & Hydration
173 VCU (Verified Carbon Units) compensation project to offset the part of the footprint of the event we could not eliminate, and in addition we supported Sea Trees projects in Kenya with mangrove plantations. This is no excuse for our footprint, but overall in social and environmental terms we do believe we are net positive contributing impact wise and will be working even harder in 2025 on our anti-single use plastic push, removing toxic anything we can in the water (eg sun tan lotion rules incoming) as part of our Sport for Nature commitments, and removing plastic from our supply chains (influencing our suppliers to never use it again), and repeating super developments like in our Greek hotel where they replaced using plastic bottled water (everywhere in Greece) with on site cooling filters - a better end result for everyone, especially as they are 100% solar powered too…the hotel is off grid
#7Croatia: the perfect preparation for a solo English Channel attempt?
Julia Pritchard’s Journey with UltraSwim 333
Lifelong swimmer Julia Pritchard will use #7Croatia as a key milestone in her build up to her first English Channel solo attempt this summer. How did she get to this point, and why does she see next May’s #7Croatia edition as a key part of her build up? Read on!
What made you get into Open Water Swimming and Why?
My first OWS was a race in the river in Matlock Bath organised by my swimming club. They had a 250m stretch of the river and ran a series of 3 races. The 250, 500 and 1,500m. The first year they did it I was so nervous, every time I put my face in the water I froze and held my breath. I couldn’t breathe out. I hadn’t really thought it through and the fact that I couldn’t see the bottom of the river really unnerved me. I got out after the 1st race and concluded open water swimming was not for me.
Soon after a friend asked if I fancied a swim in the river with her. I thought I’d give it another try. Just the two of us, head up breaststroke and chatting. I slowly practiced putting my face in and breathing out. I soon realised I could do front crawl in open water.
Then I got invited for a night swim in the river by Chatsworth House. It’s a beautiful spot that is normally heaving with people on a summer's day. At night, we had the place to ourselves. Someone passed out glow sticks which we put into the backs of our goggles and left a load on the bank of the river so we knew where to climb out. We swam upstream, moonlit with the occasional bat flying overhead. It was magical. A micro adventure with new friends. When we got out, someone passed round mugs of hot chocolate. I felt like a kid again, going out for a play. That was probably the moment when I caught the bug.
2. Were you a swimmer your whole life? When did you start swimming? Any family involved in swimming or others that motivated you to do open water swimming
I have always been involved with swimming. As a kid I was in the local lifesaving club and competed in competitions. My first job was working as a lifeguard at the pool and I soon got trained up to help with the swimming lessons. I only started club swimming though when I was 35. I joined the Masters sessions as a way to keep fit. All three of my children swim with the swimming club and my daughter also loves open water swimming. We swam Lake Coniston this year. It was really fun doing it together. All 3 are faster than me now, but……. I can swim further!
3. What is a typical day for you from waking up and training for something like an Ultra Marathon?
At the moment, over winter, I am concentrating on my stroke and strength. I am working with my swim club coach to become more efficient with my stroke and less prone to injury for when I build up the km. I do about 6 hours of club swimming a week and one swim a week in the local unheated lido. I am also doing 3 sessions of strength and conditioning, 2 pilates sessions, a couple of bike sessions and I have a stretching routine I try to do before I swim.
From February onwards I will be increasing my cold water swimming to twice a week and making one of my swims a longer swim, so I will be ready to do the Channel qualifying swim in April. The qualifier is a 6 hour non stop sea swim in water under 16 Celsius. I have done it 3 times before so I'm not worried about doing the swim. What I am preparing carefully for, is to be able to do it without injuring myself.
4. Why the English Channel, what does it mean for you to accomplish this swim.
I've been involved in long distance swimming for a while now so I do know several people who have swam the Channel. It's been in the back of my head for a while as something it might be possible for me to do one day. This year I turned 50 and realised that if I was going to do it one day, I better crack on and do it sooner rather than later. A few chats later with some swimming friends and I had managed to get myself a crew and a slot with Paul Forman on Optimist for the beginning of September 2025. To accomplish it will make me so proud of myself, and I'm sure my family will be very proud too. I know it is not a given. So many things have to be inplace for it to be successful and not all of them are in my control. I am training hard and love chatting to people who have already swam long sea crossings, picking up tips and advice from them.
5. What other goals do you have?
There are some really amazing long swims that I would love to do. If I manage to swim the English Channel, I think I would then have the confidence to do them. I particularly have my eye on the Round Manhattan Island Swim and the Scar Swim in Arizona.
6. How do you see joining ULTRASWIM 33.3 events helping in achieving your goals.
To achieve my goals I need to experience a lot of open water and sea swimming in different distances and conditions. Swimming long distances in laps I find hard. It's really boring and my mind can start to become a bit negative. I know swimming the channel will be hard, but I am determined to really enjoy my training and hopefully really enjoy the swim too!
I went on the Ultraswim 33.3#5 in Montenegro. Their format of point to point swims makes every swim interesting and a challenge. You are never alone and they have an amazing team looking after you. I got some great training advice from Jay Prchal and Ivan Puskovitch and I learnt loads from listening to the talks with Sophie Eldritch, Marieke and Andy Donaldson. The timing of the ULTIMATE 22.2 at ULTRASWIM 33.3#7 in Croatia is perfect for me. The predicted sea temperature is similar to what the English Channel will be in September. Being able to swim a 22.2 km point to point swim in the sea early in the season will really give me confidence. My friends, who will be crewing for me on the channel, are also able to join me and crew for me on the ULTIMATE 22.2. So it will be a great practice for us all.
7. Anything you can say to motivate and advise potential swimmers in getting into Open Water swimming?
Open Water swimmers are such a friendly, supportive bunch. I have met so many interesting positive people and had all sorts of different adventures. I am so glad I didn't stop after my first river swim when I got nervous putting my face in the water. Don't just give it a try, give it several tries. you won't regret it.
ULTIMATE 33.3km NON-STOP option added to #7CROATIA
The Ultimate UltraSwim Experience Awaits
Big marathon swim challenges like the English Channel can be very difficult to organise, often with long waiting lists or expensive solo organisation costs. Whether your aspiration is to take on the iconic Channel swim in the future, or you relish the idea of an ultra-marathon challenge, UltraSwim 33.3 now has two big swim options added to its next Epic Adventure Swim Race in beautiful Croatia in May 2025, including a 33.3km single swim between the two stunning ancient 12th century villages of Stari Grad, and Hvar Town.
If already the 33.3km over 4 days seems plenty (quite normal!), then the rest of this blog is maybe not for you - but why not get that 'end of winter' (if you're a northern hemisphere person!) challenge of UltraSwim 33.3 #7Croatia booked and have a goal to aim for over the next 6 months!
Entries to the ULTIMATE are strictly limited and there a significant financial incentive for the first 5 swimmers to confirm their entry in either the full ULTIMATE 33.3 or the shorter but nonetheless challenging 22.2km version, ULTIMATE 22.2.
Swimmers must be entered into the full UltraSwim 33.3 event, but will swap one of the event day swims for a full 33.3 (or 22.2km). The swims will take place between sunrise and sunset, with a minimum pace of 2.3km/h (or 2km/h) required.
A full additional support packaged will be provided, including a dedicated boat and skipper, live tracking, medical cover and a super course as part of the ULTIMATE Entry Fee supplement. You will be asked to bring your own support crew of at least one experienced person who will manage your nutrition feeds and overall well-being alongside our team.
In addition to your chosen UltraSwim 33.3 package, we will provide:
Planning, weather, set course, overall delivery
A dedicated co-ordinator and race director for the ULTIMATE
4-6metre support boat with skipper/observer, fuel included
Live tracking
Timing and results
MSF documented event ratification request where applicable
Medical cover on standby
Precision Fuel & Hydration product for the swim
Specific preparation webinar for ULTIMATE entries
On-site preparation session with Andy Donaldson
Specific pre-event briefing
Photo and video summary of event
Transfers to/from start and finish from/to hotel by boat and/or land
Training for boat skippers, radios, trackers (in addition to swimmer)
Additional safety equipment onboard each support boat
Remote monitoring of tracking throughout
Start and Finish lines
Dedicated WhatsApp channel for swimmers and support team
ULTIMATE specific Finisher medal
What you will need to provide
One support person who has some experience of supporting you or another marathon swimmer on a 5 hour + swim - in particular who has the knowledge to manage your regular feeding routine. A second person may also be on the support boat. Accommodation for at least one person must be taken through us at the event hotel(s)
Any extra specific nutrition, fresh food, and feeding equipment (eg feedstick if under MSF rules).
A medical certificate certifying fitness for the ULTIMATE swim
Your mental strength and desire to finish!
Potential courses for the 33.3 and 22.2
Q&A on #7Croatia ULTIMATE 33.3
What day of the event will the ULTIMATE swim be? Normally at #7Croatia it will be the second or third day, allowing you to use the previous UltraSwim 33.3 legs as warmup swims and the fourth day to enjoy the super finish in Hvar Town with everyone.
What happens if the weather is bad, is there a risk like many other long distance challenges that I don't get to swim at all? This risk exists but is very low compared with those other challenges, as we have all 4 event days to be able to achieve this swim, and have the resources in place to be able to be flexible.
How experienced does my support person need to be? They will need to be practiced and comfortable managing your nutrition and feeding regime (generally swimmers are feeding every 30 minutes on such swims, we can provide more advice on this of course), and equally have some experience on how to maintain both safe distance and correct protection for the swimmer to ensure the skipper acts as you require him to. Its possible we could provide someone - but at an additional cost - if you don't have this support person yourself.
How fast do I need to swim? With almost mid-summer daylight hours (0530-2015), the minimum average pace required will be 2.3km/h for the 33.3 and 2km/h for the 22.2 - if you cannot hold this pace, you will need to exit the water when asked. Allowance will be made for adverse current and conditions, with start / finish times adjusted accordingly - but there will be no swimming outside of daylight hours.
Can I just come for the ULTIMATE and not enter the overall event? No, unfortunately this is not an option due to the fact that we have to make commitments to 4 nights with our hotel partners and we must use the full package for every swimmer, and equally can’t block those rooms for just a part of the period. This may change at other venues in 2026 (currently this is the only venue we plan the ULTIMATE in 2025), but this is a constraint at #7Croatia that we can’t change.
Can I bring more than one person with me? Yes the boat that will be dedicated to you will have the space for 2 or 3 support crew, we just ask that at least one of the support team takes our partner hotel and transfer package (at the same level as you)
How late can I leave it to book? Places are strictly limited (by the ability to source appropriate support boats and skippers primarily) so you are advised to block your place immediately, pay your event deposit, and send us your marathon swimming resumé on epicswims@ultraswim333.com for our Race Director to consider - we cannot guarantee acceptance of all applications.
How much does it cost in addition to the UltraSwim 33.3 normal entry? 1500 Euros is the additional fee for the ULTIMATE 22.2 and 33.3, but the first 5 entries out of an initial maximum of 10 total spots are discounted to 950 Euros! Booking conditions for the ULTIMATE are different to the main event package, see the download package for more details.
All images by ©Vincent Curutchet / UltraSwim 33.3
Six Months to Go: Swim Around Hvar Island, Croatia
Your Ultimate Swim Adventure
With six months to go until #7Croatia on the beautiful island of Hvar in May, its time to set yourself an early summer objective, or for our southern hemisphere Aussie swimmers and the like, an amazing European end of summer finale!
A little video reminder of what we all enjoyed earlier this year, between the ancient villages of Stari Grad and Hvar Town, incredible swimming, new friends made, and life-changing emotion!
And in case you are worried that you won't fit in, don't be! Every level of open water swimmer is represented at our events - from highly competitive trying to win, to those wanting to perform beyond their age, to those simply wanting to cross the finish line. The perfect crystal clear Croatian waters (20C last year), with beautiful bays, two 2km crossings, and stunning Pakleni Islands to navigate through, coupled with the ancient villages we swim between, make this a real favourite for the 33.3 family of swimmers from all over the world! And check out our amazing hotel options, including the stunning Maslina Resort on our new ULTRA+[5*] option!
We can’t guarantee you’ll get the time you want, we can’t even guarantee you’ll finish the full 33.3km… but here’s what we do know:
We know you’ll be pushed to your limits.
We know we’ll do everything within our power to help you succeed. We know you’ll make important friendships.
And we know that you’ll create lifelong memories.
But don’t take our word for it; read more of the reviews at Racecheck.com
'MOODY MONTENEGRO' DELIVERS A CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING 33.3
A Unique Swimming Destination
Before we turn your attention to our next event, #7Croatia, just 8 months away and filling up fast, lets take a quick look back at #5Montenegro...
That was a tough one! And we're not talking just about the swimming! From an organisational point of view Moody Montenegro as we'll now name it, was about as challenging as it can get for the UltraSwim 33.3 team to be able to deliver on our promise - challenging but achievable swims in a race format with not less than 33.3km over a 4 day long weekend, a world class safety envelope, luxury hotel experience and premium support in an exotic location, with great camaraderie and new friends made from around the world! ✅
What impressed us most though, was the adaptability and resilience of everyone - swimmers and event staff - quite a few doubted on the Thursday before the event if we'd manage to nail our holy grail of 33.3km - that iconic English Channel distance at the heart of our UltraSwim 33.3 concept. "Nothing great is easy" as Captain Webb said in 1875 having become the first person ever to swim between England France.
With lots of logistical juggling, backup plans A-Z, some difficult time-pressured decision making and an amazing group of event staff and volunteers, it seems, according to the 5* reviews, that we pulled it off in style. We've got some great feedback once again and also super useful constructive comments on what we can improve - we can always do better. But #5Montenegro was the first time we'd had a full complement of swimmers (200) - so combine that with thunderstorms, rain and huge weather uncertainty, we were certainly put to the test.
Images by ©Mark Lloyd / UltraSwim 33.3
We maybe don't always recognise enough the incredible performances at the front, as of course we love to celebrate those right through the ranking all the way to the back. There were courageous swims right through the fleet of swimmers that day - but also a very impressive race by ultimate skins category winner Michael Dieckmann from Germany, on his third UltraSwim 33.3. After being held in a pod of strong swimmers for the first two days, managed to break away and smash his way through the difficult and disorganised waves, to win with a very decisive 6 minute lead that set him up for the event victory.
Many swimmers that day were very nervous about what for a good number of them would be their first marathon 10km+ swim, especially with the weather uncertainty, out on the exposed Adriatic Coast and after already two hard days in the water. On the boat transfer to the start line, you could see many with these questions in their heads "am I ready?", "What if I'm slow?", "What if I don't make the cut off time?". But there were only 15 DNF (Did Not Finish) that day, and even those that didn't make it, were more often than not proud, and rightly so, of what they'd achieved
““The Marathon swim day on the Sunday, threw some quite confused seas at the swimmers in the second half just as they were tiring. I was so impressed by the resilience of the 33.3’ers to just bash on through it - often in their new found little tribes - supporting each other right to the completion of their goal! We started with lightning disappearing over the horizon and rain clouds above - but we finished with smiles and an enormous sense of achievement for not just the swimmers from 24 countries, but also our organising team! Only 15 non-finishers on what was one of the tougher 10km legs we’ve done in the 5 editions since 2022””
Ready to Dive In?
If you're craving an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary, join us next year for UltraSwim 33.3 in #7Croatia or one of our other events. Experience the thrill of swimming through crystal-clear waters, past epic landscapes, with a tribe of like-minded adventurers who will inspire and support you every stroke of the way. Whether you're an experienced open-water swimmer or someone looking to push beyond your limits, this is more than just a swim—it's an unforgettable journey that will leave you with memories, friendships, and a deeper connection to yourself and the ocean.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Secure your spot for next year, and be part of something truly extraordinary.
DOUBTS? WHAT DOUBTS?
DISCOVER OUR GALLERY OF EPIC #5 FINISHES 📸
All images by ©Mark Lloyd / UltraSwim 33.3
“Swimming Farther, Finding Community: A Greece Perspective”
Sunrise on way to start, contemplating the swim day ahead!
A Swimmer’s View: Greece Beyond Comfort Zones
By Mariana Santos
Coming back from UltraSwim 33.3 #4Greece has been a journey in itself. It takes time to process the whirlwind of emotions. How do you truly explain an experience so powerful to someone who hasn’t yet lived it? It’s not just a swim vacation or an open-water swim race—it’s an adventure that unites mind, body, and spirit.
Imagine gathering with sixty swimmers, each ready to push their limits and swim 33.3 kilometers over four days around the most breathtaking Greek islands. It sounds like a wild dream, but this dream becomes a reality with the extraordinary UltraSwim 33.3 crew. Their planning, curation, and on-the-spot decision-making transform every moment into something unforgettable. Yet, even as you're swimming through paradise, there’s that lingering question: Do I deserve to be here?
The answer unfolds as the days go by. The camaraderie builds, the tribe tightens, and a collective sense of belonging emerges. Together, you face unpredictable winds, swell, and currents. And through it all, one thought is constant: We’re in good hands. The UltraSwim 33.3 team expertly navigates the evolving sea conditions, keeping safety at the forefront while ensuring the adventure stays alive.
But it’s not just the challenge—it’s the sheer beauty that takes your breath away. Swimming through warm 26°C waters so transparent that you can see schools of fish below, feeling the gentle rhythm of the sea as you glide along the shorelines of these magical islands. There are moments when you pause, inhaling the scent of pine trees as you swim towards the iconic Mamma Mia church. The blend of nature's fragrances and the feeling of the water beneath you creates a sensory experience like no other—peaceful, reflective, yet energizing. You look around and see your fellow swimmers, all of you in sync with the ocean, sharing a collective flow. It’s as if, for those moments, the boundaries between swimmer, sea, and sky dissolve.
Every stroke brings a new view—towering cliffs, hidden coves, and the endless stretch of blue. The epic landscape is more than a backdrop; it’s part of the experience. You’re not just swimming through water; you’re swimming through a living, breathing ecosystem, a world where every ripple, every wave carries the energy of the ocean itself.
Swimming through waves, pushing beyond fear, and embracing the wild unpredictability of the sea becomes a shared triumph. Each swim takes you farther from your comfort zone, yet closer to the heart of this unique community. When you finally reach the shore, you’re not alone. The UltraSwim 33.3 crew, volunteers, and your fellow swimmers are there—cheering and celebrating each person’s victory. Every stroke, every challenge overcome, is met with collective joy and a sense of accomplishment that reverberates through the entire group.
This isn’t just an individual journey. UltraSwim 33.3 thrives on collaboration and interdependence. It mirrors the complexity of nature itself—where every part of the ecosystem contributes to the health of the whole. Like plants and animals working in harmony, each swimmer, crew member, and volunteer plays a crucial role in making this experience extraordinary.
Yes, you deserve to be here. This isn’t just about swimming; it’s about connection—connection to the ocean, to others, and to your deepest self. UltraSwim 33.3 Greece is a transformative adventure that expands your heart, tests your limits, and leaves you feeling whole, seen, and truly celebrated.
“If you have made it to the start line, you’re 90% of the way there and that’s 100% better than everyone else who stayed at home!”
Finish Day1 #4Greece under Mamma Mia rock!
Ready to Dive In?
If you're craving an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary, join us next year for UltraSwim 33.3 #9Greece or one of their other challenges in #7Croatia or #10Montenegro. Experience the thrill of swimming through crystal-clear waters, past epic landscapes, with a tribe of like-minded adventurers who will inspire and support you every stroke of the way. Whether you're an experienced open-water swimmer or someone looking to push beyond your limits, this is more than just a swim—it's an unforgettable journey that will leave you with memories, friendships, and a deeper connection to yourself and the ocean.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Secure your spot for next year, and be part of something truly extraordinary.
DOUBTS? WHAT DOUBTS?
DISCOVER OUR GALLERY OF EPIC #4GREECE FINISHES 📸
All images by ©bladphoto / UltraSwim 33.3
“Luxury Hotels & Spas: At the Heart of UltraSwim 333”
✔︎ It’s not JUST the swimming that is a premium experience at UltraSwim33.3!
✔︎ We’ve chosen amazing hotels to host you, and your partner or family
✔︎ NEW for 2025 our ULTRA+[5*] option - ULTRA+ with hotel upgrade
✔︎ LIMITED AVAILABILTY for 2025, reserve now [flexible rollover policy]
The UltraSwim 333 Experience
At the heart of the UltraSwim 33.3 concept, is an unashamedly luxury hotel offer. We recognise that, whilst wanting to keep the event accessible with our ULTRA package, most of our swimmers are looking for that luxury touch when they are using precious time away to participate in our long weekend events.
Maslina Resort, mindful luxury Relais&Chateau
Also nearly half our swimmers want to ensure a non-participating loved one is going to be excited to come with you - for the hotel experience as well as our F3* package which gets them involved - but not too involved (lets face it, watching you swimming for hours could be classed a little boring!).
From the outset we’ve chosen some amazing hotels to partner with, and we’re going to feature some of them today, kicking off with our new ULTRA+[5*] options. This new package, combines our ULTRA+ service and support offer, with the best hotels or rooms/villas we can offer at our amazing locations.
Fine dining at Maslina Resort
Let’s head first to our Islands Edition, #7Croatia. Starting out from the ancient village of Stari Grad in May we’ll kick off the 2025 season in style with a collaboration with the Maslina Resort, a Relais & Chateau 5 star experience - mindful luxury is the theme, strong on sustainability, stunning views and the peace and calm you deserve whilst taking on an epic UltraSwim 33.3 (or enjoying whilst your partner does it!). For those opting for the existing ULTRA+ [4*] you won’t be disappointed either with the acclaimed Amicor Green Resort offering again strong sustainability credentials, in a super waterside setting, in dedicated bungalows - all brand new last year.
100% renewable energy supply to these luxury eco-villas
Moving on to the greenest isle in Greece, Skopelos is our host venue for September’s Mamma Mia edition - here we have been so happy to have found Yannos and his amazing family to host our swimmers at the Adrina Resort&Spa. Villas with private pools, presidential suites and stunning views (actually that comes with all levels), the Adrina is the perfect spot to relax and recover - whether you are swimming or supporting!
Family run Adrina Resort&Spa, Skopelos - "stunning views and amazing staff"
Our final event of the year in Montenegro, Fjords to the Ocean themed, the original UltraSwim 33.3, and we’re still hosted by the 5* Hotel Lazure & Marina, with its amazing spa and a new outdoor pool on the beach. One part of this hotel has been rebuilt from an old maritime docking station, and known as the Historical Building offers top class rooms and suites that sit under our [5*] offer, as well as some multi-room apartments in the Residential building nearby. A favourite of event founder Mark Turner this one!
Lazure, Hotel & Marina with exceptional spa facilities
So…yes you want to extend your limits and take on the mighty 33.3 as a swimmer - but you don’t need to slum it - and nor does your partner! Which one do you fancy for 2025?
*F3 -Family, Friends and Fans package allows your partners not competing to feel part of the event, but without the early mornings or the 33.3km of swimming!
“FANTASTIC NEW GREEK VENUE OF SKOPELOS DELIVERS!”
The New Greek Venue for UltraSwim 333
Fresh from Skopelos, we give you the the post event perspective of UltraSwim 33.3’s Founder, Mark Turner
An Epic Adventure Swim Race™, but so much more than just a race…
✔︎ Crystal clear waters, blue skies and sunshine, but tricky winds set the backdrop for our first UltraSwim 33.3 in Greece
✔︎ Expectations exceeded and a full 33.3km swum, but only just!
✔︎ #9Greece dates set 19-22 September 2025 and entry spots filling up fast
@bladphoto/ UltraSwim 33.3
Mamma Mia, here we go again, was the rallying cry going in to this new edition of UltraSwim 33.3. A new venue, new relationships with suppliers, hotels, boat captains, restaurants. Untested waters, different weather patterns to understand, the sun angles, the tides, the underwater hazards, the sea life, the swimming ropes, the boat traffic. Of course I’d already scoped out this amazing peaceful and as yet unspoilt gem of a Greek island, Skopelos - the greenest island of Greece. But this is not the same as running the real event, under the delivery pressure of albeit a smaller ‘Pioneer’ event, but still 61 paying clients with high expectations. Could we match or even better the previous 33.3 editions? Half the swimmers had already participated at least once, and 3 of them in every single edition so far since our Montenegro test event in 2022. For the first time more women than men too! A loyal but demanding family!
With Abba’s Mamma Mia soundtracks banging around in our heads off we set in to the relative unknown. And Skopelos delivered with its stunning, wild and varied backdrops and seascapes. And my extraordinary team delivered in spades and with adaptability to the fore when weather conditions tested us to our limits and we still managed to give our swimmers the opportunity to nail that 33.3km (the English Channel distance) challenge over 4 days and get their coveted #4Greece Finisher droplet!
Waves, calm, filmset backdrops, peace, wind and more waves, and glorious sunshine (until the day after the event when the heavens opened!). Water at 26C - loved by some - but maybe too hot for wetsuits!
The amazing family owned Adrina Hotel delivered beyond our expectations - super staff, solving all our demanding event needs - not every hotel wants to serve breakfast at 0545 when usually its 8am! Boat captains and local boat suppliers didn’t know what hit them - but they took it onboard and were smiling by the end! And a combined local and Montenegrin tried and tested safety kayak team did a sterling job of assuring the safety of our swimmers, sometimes in backwash conditions that tested their ability to stay in their kayaks and simultaneously look after our swimmers.
The crystal clear waters make Skopelos a swimming paradise - but this is not just a swim holiday, you can do a Swim Trek for that - this is a tough challenge for all the swimmers, and the day by day grind and fatigue takes its toll. But like every edition so far, as each swim and km passes something extraordinary happens - a group dynamic that I was sure could work with this format - but nonetheless have had to witness for real to be certain. A building energy, teamwork on the water, emotion on finish lines that bring tears to the toughest, a group vibe that doesn’t care about background, culture, language. Just keep swimming, just nail that 33.3, and celebrate together when its done!
The building global 33.3 family is something at UltraSwim we are so so proud of - in the end as organisers we are nothing, we are just facilitating an incredible community that is building with each edition. Its an honour for us to host our swimmers and watch them grow in one or another across 33km of swinging those arms, overcoming their doubts, surpassing what they thought they were capable of. Swimming, open water swimming in particular, is a go to sport for such a diverse crowd. A mental and physical health prescription like no other. You can do it until you die. And there are just no egos - no-one showing off their bike - just mutual respect from the front to the back of the pack, from elite to newbie, from super fast to plodder.
We love and it and cherish it.
#5Montenegro in a few weeks time. 200 swimmers for the first time, sold out since 6 months, and already half sold for next year before we’ve done this one. Expectations high, and most likely lots of challenges and new lessons to learn for our incredible organisation team that comes together for these events.
Hoping we can keep this magic formula going. We will do our very best for you, our swimmers.
Watch Day1 highlights with a finish at Mamma Mia church! HERE
@bladphoto / UltraSwim 33.3
“UltraSwim 333: Camaraderie, Community, and Support”
The Top Result of UltraSwim 333
It is the most consistent feedback from the 200 individual swimmers who have already competed in an UltraSwim 33.3 so far…
An Epic Adventure Swim Race™, but so much more than just a race…
✔︎ Incredible diversity - swimmers of 43 nationalities entered to date
✔︎ Inclusive - from self-confessed ‘turtles’ aiming just to finish inside the 2km/h cutoff, to…
✔︎ to ‘dolphins’ out there competing whether its to win or not
✔︎ Many adaptive athletes for whom swimming is their solace
✔︎ And a majority of passionate swimmers just looking to challenge themselves
“Through the ups and downs, mentally and physically, of a 33.3km multi-day challenge our events have proven already to create incredibly strong bonds, group positive energy and teamwork to carry you to those finish lines, and countless new lifelong friendships formed.”
Some of the diversity within our amazing UltraSwim 33.3 family already…
AGE: From 15 to 75 years of age (with a median of 50 so far)
GENDER: 50/50 female/male
NATIONALITY: 43 different cultural backgrounds, from all 5 continents - South Africa to Singapore, Brazil to Britain, Albania to Australia, USA to Ukraine.
PACE: from 2km/h to 4.5km/h - every finisher is a winner at UltraSwim 33.3
ADAPTIVE ATHLETES WELCOME: successful Finishers include amputees, wheelchair bound and other severe disabilities - swimming is a sport that literally levels the playing field and we embrace that fully in our support. Water starts/finishes = no running up the beach to finish a 33.3!
BUDGET: whilst this is unashamedly a premium event, centred around a 5* hotel offering and professional support, we have packages for everyone, and discounts for groups.
UNCERTAIN FUTURE: our flexible rollover policy allows those with complex professional lives to reserve early in the knowledge they can keep their spot if their work/life changes
TIME POOR: long weekend format to minimise your time away, or instead profit from our amazing locations and turn it into a week’s holiday
WE CARE ABOUT THE PARTNERS: nearly half our swimmers now bring a non-competing partner, and we’ve made a special F3 (Friends, Family, Fans) package to make sure they feel included enough (without the early alarm clock call!), but not bored by watching swimmers!
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER - AND WE HAVE PROOF!
Meet the man defeating opponents half his age
Proof That Age is Just a Number at UltraSwim 333
Meet Olivier Delfosse, one of our recent winners in UltraSwim 33.3 #3Croatia... After impressing swimmers and organisers alike, we reached out to Olivier to discover his secrets.
We had the privilege of speaking with Olivier Delfosse, UltraSwim 33.3 competitor and open water swimmer from Belgium who recently finished first at #3Croatia back in May in the Men’s Skins category.
At UltraSwim 33.3, we mean it when we say ‘every finisher is a winner’ because everyone’s journey and ambition is different and we pride ourselves on being as inclusive as possible. However, each event is still a race for those that care, and for every race, there must be a winner.
At the age of 60, it was on the island of Hvar that Olivier blew us all out of the water beating participants easily half his age and younger… so we just had to know - how does he do it?!
In this newsletter, Olivier shares his insights on recent races, training regimes, and personal tips for maintaining and improving performance.
Q: Olivier, let’s start with why you were drawn to compete in UltraSwim 33.3?
I was attracted to UltraSwim 33.3 for several reasons. Firstly, there’s nothing much out there like it, with its multi-day format of 33.3 kilometres spread over 4 days. Maintaining focus for that entire time, trying to win each day - it’s tough! I have swum 33.3km in a single day before, but spreading it out over multiple days is entirely different, and I'm still unsure which is harder!
Additionally, I chose to compete in the skins category because I'm on a waiting list for a double crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar without a wetsuit. UltraSwim 33.3 #3Croatia was a perfect opportunity to test my ability to swim without a wetsuit in water temperatures of 18-20 degrees Celsius.
“I have swum 33.3km in a single day before, but spreading it out over multiple days is entirely different, and I’m still unsure which is harder!”
Q: How does your swimming speed now compare to when you were 20 and when you were 40?
It’s difficult to compare as I primarily raced in pools during my 20s to 40s. My best times were 1:57 for the 200m freestyle and 2:13 for the 200m medley, with a 100m freestyle in 55 seconds. At 46, I swam the 200m freestyle in 2 minutes flat, ranking 7th globally in the 45-50 category for 2009.
After a skiing accident in 2009, I shifted to open water swimming. For a while after the accident, I continued to compete in short pool races however, despite finishing second on a couple of races in the 2013 European Master Championship, I didn’t feel good, and I knew I had to switch things up, to something less painful on my heart and lungs. That’s when I began to explore open water swimming.
Things are totally different now, these days in training, I aim to swim 4km in an hour in the pool with my beach shorts on and 4.7-5 km/hour during races, especially with a wetsuit. Open water swimming has many variables like buoys, waves, wind, and currents that affect my speed though!
Q: How much do you swim each week (hours and distance)?
I plan my next season in November, aiming for four races per year which I like to switch up. Preparation for a race takes about four months. I swim in the pool five days a week, covering 5-6km in about 1.5 hours. For a 30k race, I swim 43-45km weekly, with three 10k training sessions (2.5-2.75 hours each). My training intensity varies in three-week cycles: one cool, one medium, and one hard week, repeating the cycle.
Q: How do you split your training between the pool and open water?
I always train alone in a 25m pool and use open water races as part of my training. Since open water training is not that feasible in my country, I prefer pool training for its rhythm, speed, distance knowledge, and technique. I actually haven’t had a coach since 1987.
Q: How much of your training time do you dedicate to working on technique?
I constantly focus on my technique during training, paying attention to my fingers, hand, elbow position, body position, and breathing. I never think about anything else or listen to music - this is my time to switch off and my problems just fade away. Sometimes, I use technical exercises like one-arm drills, which are very important.
Q: What is your favourite training session?
Surprisingly, my favourite training session is when I go to the gym for bodybuilding and stretching. It feels like a holiday.
Q: What (if any) other training do you do? (e.g., yoga, running, weights, etc.)
I go to the gym twice weekly for stretching and bodybuilding, specifically tailored for swimmers. At the start of the season, I also do some cycling to boost my lungs and heart.
Olivier’s top tips:
Maintain a healthy lifestyle with good food, 8-9 hours of sleep, no smoking, and minimal alcohol.
Have an annual check-up with a cardiologist, including an ultrasound and stress test on a bike.
Begin every training session with a 10-15 minute dry warm-up for shoulders, ankles, neck, and elbows.
Stretch your shoulders during training.
Ensure you feel tired after each session; train hard to race comfortably.
Use supplements wisely, including amino acids, BCAAs, vitamins, carbohydrates, curcumin, and chondroitin for joints.
Avoid training if you’ve had an argument or feel too tired or unwell. Rest is also a crucial part of training.
Q: As well as being the fastest non-wetsuit swimmer at UltraSwim 33.3 Croatia earlier this year, what other open water races have you won recently?
This year, after UltraSwim 33.3 #3Croatia, I won the overall title at a 5k race in Ibiza (Copa di Espagna) out of 147 swimmers, finishing in 1 hour and 7 minutes with a wetsuit. I also placed 9th overall out of 141 in the Oceanman Lago d’Orta in Italy (8k, wetsuit) and took first place overall out of 81 swimmers in the 5k Open Swim Star Harmonie Mutuelle in La Baule, France, with a time of 1 hour 8 minutes (wetsuit).
Last year was great. I secured second place overall at the Oceanman Costa Azahar (Spain) 10k with a time of 2 hours 8 minutes (wetsuit), finishing just 4 seconds behind Bertrand Venturi. I also competed in the Flow des Gabarriers near Cognac, France, where I finished 3rd overall out of 34 swimmers in the 33k race, clocking 6 hours 45 minutes (wetsuit). Additionally, I set my personal best at the Oceanman Lago d’Orta (Italy) 14k with a time of 3 hours 2 minutes, placing 4th overall out of 179. In fact, the three guys ahead of me were ages 32, 20, and 24 respectively! In the Ultraebre (Spain) 31k skin swim, I finished second out of 38 swimmers, 12 minutes faster than the previous year, with a time of 5 hours 15 minutes. Again, the guy who finished ahead of me here was only 28 years old and he finished 4 minutes ahead of me!
“Your Body Can Stand Anything: Convince Your Mind First”
- Vincent Lombardi
The Key to Swimming Success
As event organisers, one of the best parts of our jobs is watching swimmers cross the 33.3km finish line. We're not talking about the first ones to do so (although, well done because what an achievement!) no, we're talking about the 90% of swimmers who swim better, faster, or further than they thought themselves capable.
Back at our first event in 2022, the weather was rough and everything was a 'first'. From the first start line, the first finish line, the first finisher, the first swimmer to abandon the course - everything was a bit unknown in our new, multi-day event format of UltraSwim 33.3.
Fast forward two years and we'd like to say, with significantly more experience and a world-class team, we know what to expect.
However, there's just one thing that keeps creeping back consistently:
swimmers' doubts in the lead-up to the event or on the start line.
“If you have made it to the start line, you’re 90% of the way there and that’s 100% better than everyone else who stayed at home!”
Swimmers on the start line of #3Croatia ©Vincent Curutchet / UltraSwim 33.3
"It's totally normal to have doubts," says UltraSwim 33.3's Founder and CEO, Mark Turner. "33.3km over four days is a daunting challenge for most swimmers."
"In the lead-up to each event, our team gets a lot of questions along the lines of "am I ready?", "What if I'm slow?", "What if I don't make the cut off time?". We answer each question to the best of our ability but the truth is, we actually KNOW you can do it."
"Not everyone will make it to each finish line, for various reasons but the overwhelming majority of swimmers who have doubts, cross those finish lines and are the only ones surprised! We see it time and again again where swimmers push their limits and with the support of the community, achieve above and beyond what they thought was possible."
DOUBTS? WHAT DOUBTS?
DISCOVER OUR GALLERY OF EPIC FINISHES 📸
HONOUR THE SPORT YOU LOVE BY PROTECTING IT: BY ANNE-CÉCILE TURNER
Anne-Cécile Turner shares some tips to increase your impact
Anne-Cécile Turner is Founder of the sustainability consultancy BLOOMUP, helping sport event organisers, international brands and NGOs to motivate decision-makers and employees to integrate sustainable practices.
Today she shares tips on how we can all play our part in protecting the sport we love.
Anne-Cécile takes part in UltraSwim 33.3 #3Croatia
Protecting the Sport We Love: A Call to Action
Sport is where, in terms of impact, we can demonstrate equal consideration to people and planet. When it comes to impact (or sustainability might be your preferred term), most people automatically think of the environment, but there are two more key pillars; social and economic.
So as players in the international scene of sporting events, we must ask ourselves, what role do we play? How can we contribute? And what actions can we take towards a better future?
Perfection can sometimes be the enemy of progress and that’s not what impact is about.
It is common to feel overwhelmed or take the approach of ‘leave it to the experts’ but the truth is, in all aspects of our own lives, we are the experts. Only we know what areas of our own lives we can change On their own, this might not seem to make a difference, but believe me, those small changes amount to big impact.
Impact is about doing what you can with the resources and knowledge you have. It’s about being mindful of your surroundings and contributing in small but important and consistent ways.
We’ve seen first-hand how Mother Nature offers us so much through the places we swim. It is important to protect the environment, as not only do we depend on it for life, but we also want to ensure the generations of swimmers that follow us, can enjoy it as we do.
Beyond conscious efforts to protect the environment of open water that is our racetrack, we also know swimming has a profoundly positive effect on mental health. This is a powerful tool we can each use to positively contribute to society. By supporting, sharing and caring for your fellow swimmers, the impact on people’s lives at the ripple effect that follows is not to be underestimated.
From participating in the last two Ultraswim 33.3 events, I have heard the most incredible stories from fellow participants on how the sport of swimming has changed their lives for the better.
“People find solace in this sport, and it becomes a place of peace. In a way, it becomes the place we feel most at home. ”
Swimmers embrace on the finish line of the final day of UltraSwim 33.3 #3Croatia
I believe it is the responsibility of events to lead the way and set the tone for sustainable practices. International sporting events have the potential to bring people together in a way most other organisations don’t. There is therefore great potential to address these issues and influence change.
The first step is always the hardest but in our current climate, it is essential we all play our part to protect the sport we collectively love so much.
How you can contribute as a swimmer
Optimise your travel: use the train as much as possible, limit the use of planes, stay longer and deeper in each destination instead of « consuming travel », car-share, use public transport, and the last thing once you’ve done all that is to…
Offset your travel: you can compensate the remaining amount of your carbon footprint from flights and travel to events by supporting SeaTrees. This enables you to compensate for your travel and minimise your impact on our ocean planet.
Do your own research: Knowledge is power, and when it comes to your impact, there’s nothing more important than being in the know. Whether you’re researching sustainable swimming gear, mapping out a more sustainable travel plan or researching local community initiatives, the information is at your fingertips - use it!
Say ‘no’ to single-use plastic: Prioritise eco-friendly practices throughout your activities. Extend your efforts in saying no to single-use plastic in your day-to-day life. (Always travel with reusable water bottles and mugs, preferably not in plastic)
Talk with friends and family: The more we openly talk about the impact of climate change and other environmental degradation, the greater our impact can be to address the threats posed. Share your ideas on how we can all do better. Talk with friends and family about the impact you see on marine life when you’re swimming.
Be inclusive: When you find the sport you love, you also find your tribe. If nothing else you will share a deep love for your sport. Even if you don’t have a lot in common with your fellow swimmers, you will always share this powerful bond. All swimmers should aim to be non-judgmental and inclusive of each other and recognise that our differences are our strengths.
3 REASONS TO MAKE #7CROATIA YOUR NEXT EPIC ADVENTURE!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
We're inviting you to step out of your comfort zone with us.
Swim 33.3km (the English Channel distance) spread over 4 days, 6 swims, in the EPIC location of Hvar, Croatia.
3 Reasons to Make Croatia Your Next Epic Swim Adventure
Seriously. This is Nikki, you might remember this video (which by the way is one of the most viewed on our channels) which is proof that with the right level of determination and training, you can accomplish anything. Swimming 33.3km across 4 days is a huge undertaking, but equally, as we witness time and time again as event organisers, as swimmers you are always capable of so much more than you think.
If there's even so much as a niggle telling you to consider an UltraSwim 33.3, now is the time to sign up and back yourself. We have the training plans, we have the logistics, we have the platform... but only you can take that step. You know... the one out of your comfort zone 😉
“I have made friends for life... all from a 4-day trip”
Once again, we facilitate opportunities for swimmers to get together socially, but since UltraSwim 33.3's inception, we have witnessed some beautiful friendships form, with some swimmers coming back together.
Whether it’s finding your ‘time tribe’ (the swimmers who average the same time and ability as you, that you might work together with on the water) or swapping tips and tricks - everyone is looking out for one another. Lifelong memories are made and valuable friendships are formed. We are proud to say we are so much more than just a race
Welcome to Hvar, it will take your breath away (and that's before the swimming!) This is the sunniest location in Europe and we love it. Whether you plan to delve a little deeper into the culture of the ancient town of Stari Grad, or explore the stunning streets of Hvar Town - there are so many reasons to choose #7Croatia as your event choice for 2025.
That's above the surface, beneath the surface, the crystal clear water temperatures averaged 20°C and the wildlife was beyond compare. In fact... we even had dolphins on the race course! Oh... and did we mention our point-to-point course takes you to some of the most exclusive bays in the region that are only accessible by water...
Tempted? You won't regret it. Why not take some time this weekend to read the reviews on RaceCheck and this time next year this could be you!
“MY PARENTS LIED TO ME, YOURS PROBABLY DID TOO 😱”
In #3Croatia we were lucky enough to have our partner team Precision Fuel & Hydration on site during the event. With Chris ‘Minty’ Harris taking part, and brothers and Founder Andy and Dave Blow monitoring and documenting his experience, we are delighted to be able to share their first-hand discoveries with you. Over to you Minty!
I'm going to dive right in today and share my recent experience at UltraSwim 33.3.
Chris Harris on the start line of #3Croatia outside the Valamar Hotel in Stari Grad, Hvar.
During six swims in four days, covering the distance of the English Channel, I discovered chafing in areas I never knew possible. I also learned 5 useful lessons...
Challenging Childhood Myths and Embracing Truths
1. My parents lied to me, yours probably did too 😱
"Don't swim within two hours of eating" is something most of us were told as kids, but it turns out, you absolutely can.
Like a bunch of rebellious teenagers (who discovered neoprene and goggles rather than ciggies and alcohol), we ignored our parents' warnings and carbed up before each swim.
Many of us even took a final hit of carbohydrate 30 minutes before getting into the water.
2. STARTING hydrated is crucial 💧
I knew I wasn't going to be able to drink much during each swim, so I preloaded with a 500ml (16oz) bottle of PH 1500 electrolytes before every stage...
I weighed myself before and after each swim, and lost between ~0.88 and ~1.25L (~30-44oz) per hour. Yes, you do sweat when you swim!
I only consumed an average of ~46ml (~2oz) per hour during the event, mainly because the group I was swimming with wasn't keen on hanging around at the aid stations. However, I was sure to rehydrate with a second bottle of PH 1500 after each swim to prepare for the next day.
3. It's possible to hit decent fueling numbers in the water ⛽
Ultraswimmer Andy Donaldson told me that he targets a Tour de France rider-esque ~100g of carb per hour during his record-breaking swims (although he has the benefit of a feed boat next to him).
I practised fueling during my longer training sessions in the pool to help train my gut. And I comfortably consumed ~89g/h during the longest 11.3km (7-mile) stage, between stashing plenty of gels up my wetsuit sleeves and prioritising eating over drinking at the aid stations.
Thanks to Raff for using this flattering image in the graphic that went out to our 34k Instagram followers... 🤦
I fuelled this one pretty well. But if you want to know how the best in the world fuel in the open water, check out this hAndy guide. It features 3 feeding drills Mr Donaldson put together with us in Croatia. 👀
4. Find the right fuel format ✅
Whatever your event, it's worth working out in advance which fuel formats you'll use. I had planned to pick up Carb Only Drink Mix at the aid stations but only managed a few sips. Thankfully, I stuffed the sleeves of my wetsuit with PF 30 Caffeine Gels to eat on the go and got the rest of my carbs in by smashing regular gels at each aid station.
Other swimmers got creative with where they stashed their gels too...
5. There's always another BHAG 🍋
Every year at work we set ourselves a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. In '24 mine definitelydidn't include swimming 33.3km. However, since a running injury curtailed my training for the Edinburgh marathon I embraced the pivot to spending more time marinating in chlorine.
As Dougal Allan says in this piece, "In this game, we're all between injuries".
I took Dougal's advice to focus on what I could do. I'm confident that the training I put in for Ultraswim will help my performance at my other BHAG, the IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championships in Taupo in December. 💪🏻
Fueling the Feeding Frenzy 🦈
Rumour has it, ultra swimmers can smell a single drop of 2:1 glucose:fructose gel in the water from 2 miles away. 🤔
The athletes cleaned out our stocks of PF 30 Gels at the event, so next year, "we're gonna need a bigger boat..."
As much as I enjoyed the change in focus of my training, I'm glad to see the backside of those long swims... 😉🩲
Minty
#CROATIA KICKS OFF IN STYLE!
~Press Release~
ULTRASWIM 33.3 - ATHLETES FROM 20 COUNTRIES TO COMPETE IN EPIC ADVENTURE SWIM RACE™ IN CROATIA
Competitors will attempt to swim the 33.3km course - the iconic distance of the English Channel - from the ancient town of Stari Grad, to Hvar Town.
The Mayor of Stari Grad Antonio Škarpa made a surprise appearance and joined the swimmers for the 1km warm-up swim from Stari Grad to Places Hotel by Valamar. 📸 Vincent Curutchet
Croatia Kicks Off in Style with UltraSwim 333
Thursday 16 May 2024
Stari Grad, Hvar, Croatia
UltraSwim 33.3 - the new Epic Adventure Swim Race Series™ - kicks off tomorrow in Hvar, Croatia, with over 100 swimmers from 20 different countries taking on the event’s 33.3km challenge.
The event consists of a new multi-day swim race format, positioned between the many one-day 10km marathons or shorter races, and the super-long distance challenge swims, such as the English Channel.
UltraSwim 33.3 is inspired by the iconic distance between England and France, with swimmers aiming to complete the equivalent Dover-Calais distance of 33.3km, spread over four days and six swims, in much warmer locations than the English Channel.
The event launched a pilot back in 2022 with just 30 swimmers, and saw its first successful public event in Montenegro in October 2023. After launching three further events for this year in Hvar, Croatia, Skopelos, Greece and Herceg Novi, Montenegro - over 95% of competitors from 2023 are returning for 2024. #3Croatia will take place from Friday 17th May to Monday 20th May.
Each day the swimmers will face a different leg of the 33.3km distance, with a marathon day of 11km on Sunday 19 May. The point-to-point course will take place around the stunning island of Hvar, Croatia with refuelling stops in exclusive bays between swims. The course will also involve several challenges such as a channel crossing, battling the coastal winds of the Adriatic Sea and the tough currents between smaller islands.
Mark Turner, Founder of UltraSwim 33.3 said: “We created UltraSwim 33.3 through a love of open-water swimming and a desire to create a new event that inspires people and gives them the platform to push themselves out of their comfort zone and benefit from it.”
“Our event is incredibly diverse in terms of ability, we always say, it might not be for everyone, but everyone can do it. With the proper training, any determined swimmer can complete an UltraSwim 33.3.”
“We are excited to kick things off tomorrow here in Hvar, and we are grateful to our destination partners, the tourism boards of Stari Grad and Hvar Town for making our event here in Croatia possible.”
As the series continues to expand with three confirmed events in 2024, the ambition is to reach five events in 2025.
For further information, please contact: comms@ultraswim333.com or visit www.ultraswim333.com
~Ends~