Stories from the water: swimmer journeys, event reports, training insight and news from across the UltraSwim 33.3 community.
Progressive Overload in Swimming
February 27, 2026
In swimming, you don’t build a bigger engine to go faster; you build a more hydrodynamic swim form. Progressive overload in the water is about maintaining technical integrity as fatigue rises.
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Our 2024 packages explained
February 4, 2024
Regardless of what package you decide to purchase, you will still have a fantastic event experience, this much we can guarantee! However, keep reading if you’d like to better understand our package options.
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'MOODY MONTENEGRO' DELIVERS A CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING 33.3
October 18, 2024
That was a tough one! And we're not talking just about the swimming! From an organisational point of view Moody Montenegro was about as challenging as it can get for the UltraSwim 33.3 team.
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Beyond the Physical Side of Swimming
February 5, 2026
At UltraSwim33.3, our mission is to be an event that anyone can participate in. We average at around 23 different nationalities per event, all from different swimming backgrounds and abilities.
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PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION TO POWER ULTRASWIM 33.3 UNTIL 2025
February 19, 2024
Our goal is to help you swim like a pro at our events. We’re delighted to announce that Precision Fuel & Hydration will continue to power UltraSwim 33.3 through to 2025.
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SPECIAL OFFERS NEW EXTRAS UNIQUE TO #10MONTENEGRO 3-6 October, 2025
March 7, 2025
So what’s new this year only at #10Montenegro? Lots of unique extras, from a five star hotel upgrade to a new 50+ age group category, free coach entry and inspiring talks.
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AMBASSADOR’S STORY | Meet Melanie Barratt
March 20, 2025
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.
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Swimming-Induced Pulmonary Edema (SIPE)
April 16, 2026
What open-water athletes need to know about Swimming-Induced Pulmonary Edema (SIPE): the science of why it happens, the warning signs, and how to keep athletes and support crews safe.
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Swimming doesn’t just train your body. It trains your brain
January 29, 2026
Swimming induces a unique ‘Goldilocks zone’ of cerebral blood flow and neuroplasticity - the result is a smarter, more resilient brain that can handle higher training loads and cognitive stress.
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ONE MONTH TO GO UNTIL #3CROATIA!
April 17, 2024
The countdown is on! Adventure, accomplishment and memories that will last a lifetime. Get ready for UltraSwim 33.3 #3Croatia, the third event of our Epic Adventure Swim Race Series.
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Oceans7 World Record Holder Andy Donaldson becomes Global Ambassador for UltraSwim 33.3
January 26, 2024
We are delighted to announce that Andy Donaldson will be joining us at UltraSwim 33.3 as our Global Ambassador for at least the next two seasons of our epic adventure swim race series.
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MY PARENTS LIED TO ME, YOURS PROBABLY DID TOO
May 31, 2024
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, here are his fuelling lessons.
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“Luxury Hotels & Spas: At the Heart of UltraSwim 333”
September 25, 2024
At the heart of the UltraSwim 33.3 concept is an unashamedly luxury hotel offer. We recognise that most of our swimmers are looking for that luxury touch when using precious time away.
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Crushing the Distance | How UltraSwim 33.3 will support you
February 5, 2026
33.3 kilometres is a long way, but what does it really take to conquer one of the world’s renowned endurance ultra marathon swims? It’s not for everyone but anyone can do it.
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SWIM, CONNECT, COMPETE
May 13, 2024
Explore Affiliate Events leading up to UltraSwim 33.3. We’ve picked four of the very best events to collaborate with: Henley Swims and Thames Marathon in the UK, Best Fest in Mallorca and Open Swim Stars in France.
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Sport Scientist at Precision and Fuel Hydration, Chris Harris shares his experience on #3Croatia and his best tips on nutrition and hydration
January 29, 2025
Sport scientist Chris Harris shares his experience of his first open water swim event at #3Croatia, from preparation and worries to best memories, plus his best nutrition and hydration tips.
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Keeping Injury Free with Neil Maclean-Martin
January 6, 2026
Neil Maclean Martin is a clinical specialist in Musculoskeletal sports injuries, an injury prevention expert for the professional athlete to the weekend warrior. He is also the team physiotherapist for UltraSwim 33.3.
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#7Croatia: the perfect preparation for a solo English Channel attempt?
December 13, 2024
Lifelong swimmer Julia Pritchard will use #7Croatia as a key milestone in her build up to her first English Channel solo attempt this summer.
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INTRODUCING THE F3 PROGRAM
December 15, 2023
Did you know we have a program during our events that looks after friends, family and fans (F3)? We know it's tough sometimes for swimmers to leave home.
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Sustainability at UltraSwim33.3
November 25, 2025
At UltraSwim33.3 we care about our impact. If you have swum an UltraSwim33.3 you will know that sustainability is at the core of everything we do.
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TESTIMONIAL | Sport Scientist at Precision and Fuel Hydration
February 25, 2025
Chris Harris’ best tips on nutrition and hydration: his fueling strategy on normal swims and the marathon swim, plus how PF&H products and packaging help when you’re eating in the water.
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Sleep & Recovery for Endurance Athletes
February 9, 2026
Why the most powerful training tool in your arsenal is the one you’re probably ignoring - and why increasing your sleep reduces injury risk and makes the work feel easier.
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Your Body Can Stand Anything: Convince Your Mind First
July 19, 2024
As event organisers, one of the best parts of our jobs is watching swimmers cross the 33.3km finish line.
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Interview: Anna-Karin Lundin
April 28, 2026
I caught up (and swam against) Olympian and top swimming coach Anna-Karin Lundin at UltraSwim 33.3 Montenegro in October 2025 and persuaded her to reveal some of the secrets behind her speedy swimming.
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IMPACT: OUR PROMISE
May 15, 2024
The oceans, bays, and lakes of the world are our racetrack. We work to care for and protect our swimmers and the environments we swim in, which are at the heart of the sport we love.
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Our Para Champions
December 3, 2025
Melanie Barrett is a blind, long distance swimmer and UltraSwim33.3 ambassador. She is the first blind person to swim the English Channel and two time Paralympic champion.
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ULTIMATE 33.3km NON-STOP option added to #7CROATIA
November 25, 2024
Big marathon swim challenges like the English Channel can be very difficult to organise, often with long waiting lists or expensive solo organisation costs.
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START THE OPEN WATER SWIMMING SEASON WITH ANNA-CARIN NORDIN
February 28, 2024
We’re delighted to announce that Anna-Carin Nordin will be joining us for #3Croatia. With decades of experience in open water swimming, the Swedish swimmer is an icon in the sport.
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SLOW IS SMOOTH, SMOOTH IS FAST
February 21, 2024
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast is a mantra of the US Navy Seals that emphasises accuracy, consistency and a controlled pace - and the same can be said of swimming progress.
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SIX MONTHS TO GO TO #3CROATIA
November 17, 2023
Six months to go until UltraSwim 33.3 #3Croatia, and six reasons to enter. Each event is different, and each swimmer’s experience is different, but as organisers there are things we can guarantee.
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The UltraSwim33.3 Season 2025
December 1, 2025
Imagine gliding through turquoise waters off the coast of Skopelos, sunlight flickering beneath you as dolphins swim nearby.
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“I’M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL SCARE ME”
March 13, 2024
Nominated for World Open Water Swimming Association’s (WOWSA’s) Adaptive Performance of the Year, Sophie Etheridge is a fierce advocate for inclusion in the world of open water swimming.
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Training for Long Distance Open Water Races
February 7, 2024
If your squad pool-base training is similar to mine we rarely do intervals longer than 400m. Do this kind of training enough and you will get very good at swimming a fast 400.
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HOW GOOD A SWIMMER DO I NEED TO BE?
December 8, 2023
33.3km over 4 days is a daunting challenge for most swimmers, but whilst good preparation is of course necessary, swimmers with an incredible range of experience and level have already completed an UltraSwim 33.3!
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HONOUR THE SPORT YOU LOVE BY PROTECTING IT: BY ANNE-CÉCILE TURNER
July 12, 2024
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.
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HELLO GOLD STANDARD
March 6, 2024
OK, exciting news. We are pleased to announce that UltraSwim 33.3 has been awarded its 5th RaceCheck gold award and its second 'Top Rated' award (best swimming event. period).
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The Invisible Tightrope
July 6, 2026
When we think of balance sports, we usually think of skiing, skating, surfing, gymnastics, or walking a tightrope. In all of them, balance is obvious.
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Heart Rate and Swimming
June 22, 2026
Heart rate can be useful in swimming, particularly for distance swimmers. However, it should not be treated in the same way as running or cycling.
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An Inside View | What is an UltraSwim 33.3 Event
February 17, 2026
UltraSwim 33.3 events aren’t just about the swimming; the camaraderie, world class services and stunning locations separate us from your regular swimming events.
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AN EPIC FIRST YEAR FOR ULTRASWIM 33.3 - HOW DID WE GET HERE?!
December 28, 2023
Mark Turner, Founder of UltraSwim 33.3, reflects on an epic first year, the swimmers now wearing their 33.3 Finisher Droplets with pride, and how the multi-day format came to be.
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Aidan's UltraSwim 33.3
July 24, 2025
Uni student Aidan might’ve been expecting to spend two weeks taking coffee orders when he signed up for work experience at PF&H HQ. Instead he was sent to Croatia.
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AGE IS JUST A NUMBER - AND WE HAVE PROOF!
July 28, 2024
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.
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Swimming Farther, Finding Community: A Greece Perspective
September 27, 2024
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?
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BEHIND THE GOGGLES OF SWIMMER 140
November 2, 2023
Behind the Goggles is a series of stories behind the scenes of UltraSwim 33.3, challenging participants to swim 33.3km, the iconic distance of the English Channel, in a new multi-day event.
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Six Months to Go: Swim Around Hvar Island, Croatia
November 16, 2024
With six months to go until #7Croatia on the beautiful island of Hvar in May, its time to set yourself an early summer objective.
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#4GREECE NOW OPEN - #5MONTENEGRO SOLD OUT!
March 22, 2024
It’s been a busy time here at UltraSwim 33.3 HQ! We have two bits of important news: #5Montenegro is SOLD OUT! #4Greece is NOW OPEN!
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3 REASONS TO MAKE #7CROATIA YOUR NEXT EPIC ADVENTURE!
June 21, 2024
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.
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2025 ULTRASWIM 33.3 ENTRIES NOW OPEN!
March 29, 2024
The brand new Epic Adventure Swim Race Series calendar for 2025 includes #7Croatia, #9Greece and #10Montenegro. Looking for your next big challenge and the adventure of a lifetime?
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2024 by numbers: an amazing first multi-edition year!
December 30, 2024
You were 366 swimmers from 28 countries taking on our Epic Adventure Swim Races in Croatia, Greece and Montenegro this year!
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FANTASTIC NEW GREEK VENUE OF SKOPELOS DELIVERS!
September 20, 2024
Fresh from Skopelos, we give you 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.
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From Pool to Ocean
January 29, 2026
American Ivan Puskovitch competed in the open water 10km at the Paris Olympics. Competing at the highest level of open water swimming means a lot of pool time.
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Critical Swim Speed: what is it and why should you care?
January 29, 2024
If you've been swimming a while you have probably come across Critical Swim Speed (CSS). But what exactly is it, and how can you use it to improve your swim times?
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Decoding your perfect swim experience
February 4, 2024
When preparing for UltraSwim 33.3 in 2024, choosing the right package is important to your personal experience. In this blog, we'll explore our three key packages on offer.
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#CROATIA KICKS OFF IN STYLE!
May 16, 2024
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.
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UltraSwim 333: Camaraderie, Community, and Support
August 26, 2024
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.
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COACHES GO FREE! #10MONTENEGRO ONCE ONLY OFFER WORTH 1800-2500 EUROS
March 7, 2025
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.
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Training: Pool vs Open Water
December 14, 2025
Almost everyone swimming their first open water event worries that they are not doing enough open water swimming leading up to an event.
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ARE YOU READY TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE BEHIND IN 2024?
January 2, 2024
Ahhh the good old 'new year, new you' - how many times have we all heard that before? How many times have we all committed with the absolute best of intentions to exercise more, drink less, eat healthier?
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ARE YOU A COACH?
December 12, 2023
We're delighted to announce we've launched our Affiliated Coach package. When we created UltraSwim 33.3 we always knew we wanted it to be so much more than a race.
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“AM I FAST ENOUGH?”
March 26, 2024
“Am I fast enough for UltraSwim 33.3 ?” We hear this question a lot , so we thought we’d provide some insights in the form of a good old-fashioned chart
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Instagram's Favourite Swim Coach Enters Montenegro
June 1, 2025
Introducing our latest UltraSwim 33.3 Ambassador, Sweden’s Anna-Karin Lundin, who competed in the Seoul 1988 Olympics at age 15.
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The Art and Science of Moving Forward in Water
July 10, 2025
A look at the technique and the feel of efficient open water swimming, and how to keep moving forward.
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Ultraswim 33.3 From Byron’s Hellespont to Skopelos
October 13, 2025
Before open water swimming had GPS tracks and timing chips, it had stories. In 1810, a 22-year-old Lord Byron swam the Hellespont from Sestos to Abydos.
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Swimming With Purpose
December 22, 2025
Léman hope is a Swiss based charity which focuses on bringing children back to normal life after living through cancer, and is the first UltraSwim 33.3 charity.
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RED Equipment Head of Design Takes on UltraSwim 33.3
January 16, 2026
Phil Hawthorne, head of design at RED Equipment, takes on the UltraSwim 33.3 challenge.
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Renewed Partnership with RED Equipment
January 20, 2026
RED Equipment and UltraSwim 33.3 renew their partnership for two more seasons.
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Why You Should Always Take Your Chance
February 5, 2026
Hannah Parker shares her experience at the tenth Montenegro edition and why you should always take your chance.
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TESTIMONIAL | Not For Lifelong Swimmers Only
March 4, 2026
Swimming an UltraSwim 33.3 is a test of endurance, not just your swimming technique, speed or style. With point to point swims in breathtaking locations, It’s an adventure rather than a race.
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Inside Peter Plavec's Mission
March 5, 2026
Ambassador Peter Plavec on his record breaking ice swims and his mission in the water.
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Interview with Mark Turner, Founder and CEO
March 13, 2026
Mark Turner is the co-founder and CEO of UltraSwim 33.3 and brings decades of experience from the Royal Navy, offshore sailing and global sports management to the world of open water swimming.
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Renewed Partnership with Precision Fuel and Hydration
March 18, 2026
Our nutrition partner Precision Fuel and Hydration continues to support swimmers through their preparation and racing.
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Partnering with the Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation
March 25, 2026
For the twelfth Croatia edition we are partnering with the Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation to protect the waters we swim in.
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Renewed Partnership with Valamar
April 8, 2026
Our hotel partner Valamar continues to host swimmers in comfort at our Croatian editions.
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Renewed Partnership with deboer Wetsuits
April 14, 2026
We are delighted to renew our partnership with deboer Wetsuits for the seasons ahead.
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Let's Celebrate Earth Day and Keep Protecting Our Waters
April 22, 2026
On Earth Day we reflect on our responsibility to protect the open water we love to swim in.
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TESTIMONIAL | Marco Fratini
May 21, 2026
If you have swam an UltraSwim 33.3 event before, and been there at the same time as Marco, it’s guaranteed that you will remember him! He famously cheers every single swimmer over the finish line!
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Swimming Towards the Rainbow: Lessons from Croatia
June 3, 2026
Nuno António, three time UltraSwim 33.3 participant, shares his experience of #12Croatia and shows us that even when things don’t go to plan, there is always a silver lining.
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Sixty in the Sea
June 15, 2026
Alistair and his friends signed up to #12Croatia as a team that they called ‘No Direction’ to celebrate his 60th birthday. In Alistair’s own poetic words, here is Sixty in the Sea.
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My Experience With Suspected SIPE
June 15, 2026
One swimmer shares an honest account of a suspected case of swimming induced pulmonary oedema and what every open water swimmer should know.
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Eighteen Pioneers Discover the Volcanic Coastline of Milos
June 30, 2026
Eighteen pioneer swimmers took on the volcanic coastline of Milos, one of the most dramatic and beautiful new locations in the calendar.
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What it feels like to swim 33.3km over four days
June 1, 2026
There is a moment on day three when everything clicks. Your stroke settles, the water holds you differently, and the distance ahead stops feeling impossible. This is what our swimmers tell us it is like.
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