Daily swim distances: what to expect at UltraSwim 33.3
33.3 CLASSIC: Out of the total distance of 33.3km over a 4-day long weekend, you will swim between 6 or 7 swims, breaking up the full distance.
33.3/2 BUILD ‘Half Channel’: Out of the total distance around 16.65km over a 4-day long weekend, you will swim between 4 or 5 swims, breaking up the full distance. Longest single swim usually 5km in this format.
16.65 COMPACT: Out of the total distance of 16.65km over a 2-day weekend, you will swim 2 swims of c.7km and 10km+
ULTIMATE: At select venues, this non-stop 22.2, 33.3 or custom distance non-stop swim is an option. It can be combined with the rest of a CLASSIC format, or stand-alone
*The details of the final distance depend on multiple factors and are based on race management decisions at each event.
Below is a typical breakdown of an UltraSwim 33.3 event, 33.3 CLASSIC format* (*subject to change)
Day 1
Is the ice-breaker. Our goal is to always break down the first day’s distance into two separate swims usually of 5km or less. This gets a good chunk of the swimming out of the way and leaves you ready for what lies ahead. There is a break of what might be as little as 15 minutes for the slower swimmers, or as much as 1.5 hours for the fastest. So just consider it like a full refuel and feedstation stop whichever you are.
Day 2
Is usually a longer than a 5km swim, up to 8km in some venues, which is then in some cases, notably Montenegro, followed by an untimed (mandatory) distance of 2-3km where you can swim at your own pace or with your friends with no time pressure. We’re building your single swim distance up on this day ahead of Marathon day 3. You’ll feel tired perhaps today, due to ‘over-compensation’, the brains way of holding you back.
Day 3
Is marathon day, the queen of swims - a beautiful 10km+. This is when we usually see swimmers perform at their best - stronger mentally and physically than they ever expected. It might be just 10km, but could be up to 13km like in our Swiss lake edition. This swim may be open for entry in the MSF Long Swims event database (its not a ratifiable MSF solo swim though to note) - we apply our own version of MSF in what we call ‘Captain Webb’ rules for that want to simulate the stricter MSF rules
Day 4
Is the grand finale, we usually swim 4-5km, a bit depending also on how much is left to do of the 33.3km (the weather usually forces some changes in the plan A!). At the finish line we usually are able to gather all the swimmers, and together (with friends and family if you choose) we swim the final hundred metres or so to the final finish line together.
1-2km (non-mandatory) warmup swim upon arrival
During most of our events, we offer a 1-2km non-mandatory warmup swim on the registration/arrival day. This allows swimmers to connect with one another, test the water temperature (will you want to wear a wetsuit or not for example), check their kit/goggles/salt water lube, and sight the race marks for real for example.
Other things to expect
Early morning starts, finishes mostly by lunchtime
Varied conditions
Water temperature between 19-26°C
Islands, fjords and open sea
Last minute course changes depending on weather conditions
Wind, waves and currents
Wetsuit category available
The challenge of a lifetime
