#17 BARCELONA [Costa Brava]

UltraSwim 33.3 Barcelona [Costa Brava] 2026  

• The Hidden Coves Edition
• An UltraSwim 33.3 COMPACT 16.65km concept
• Two days, two swims and a half English Channel distance

A Pioneer event, proof testing the concept and the location with a limited amount of swimmers.

The Costa Brava did not dissappoint!

This part of the coast is called the Wild Coast and not without reason. As the weekend was approaching the weather systems seemed to converge on S’Agaro, the base of the UltraSwim 33.3 event.

How many swims would we get in before the storm would hit?

Saturday morning, just before sunrise we set out in open boats travelling south carrying the 61 swimmers to the in-water start 10 km south of S’Agaro, dolphins following us in the rising light. 

The start of the 10 km point to point Marathon swim back to S’Agaro was nothing less than magical. Almost flat seas, sunrise and with the orange-colored cliffs as a backdrop.

The 56 swimmers from 16 nations swam along the dramatic coast, in and out of coves and over a spectacular seascape. Fish, big underwater bolders, many different colors of green and extremely clear water made the swim more than enjoyable.

Towards the end, when the swimmers turned into the S’ Agaro Bay they became aware of the swell that was building for their Sunday swim.

54 swimmers out of 56 finished the Marathon swim.

The thunderstorm part of the weather system had passed 10 km inland instead of right over the event. The weather gods were with us. Would it last?

The night brought wind and rain, much less than first expected. In the early morning the rain had passed, 1.5 meter swells remained.

The decision to make use of the S’Agaro Bay for the 6.6 km Sunday swim was the right one. It would have been impossible to venture outside of the bay.

The 8:30 start set the swimmers off swimming three laps of a 2.2 km triangular course in the bay, with some parts more exposed to the swell coming out of the north. The more experienced swimmers could surf the swell and gain a few metres, the less experienced battled it and were pushed around a bit. It became an exciting course and a great way to finish the 16.65 km which makes up half the distance of the English Channel.

At the finishline the swimmers were met with the UltraSwim33.3 signature Cava and medals to celebrate their achievements.

Many swimmers came new to the area and will leave with superb memories and a desire to come back!

This was the first UltraSwim 33.3 COMPACT 16.65km event (two days instead of four). In the end the weather was much better than expected and the swimmers could explore the hidden coves of Costa Brava.

Facts:

Day 1 - Marathon Day. 10 km open-water swim from an in-water start by Cala del Sr. Ramon to S’Agaro.

Day 2 - 6.6 km open-water swim in the bay of S’Agaro, three 2.2 km loops.

During the past two days, 56 swimmers from 16 nationalities took on the new UltraSwim33.3 concept called the COMPACT 16.65km; two days, two swims, 16,65 km, half of the iconic 33.3 km English Channel distance. Based at the S’Agaro Spa & Wellness Hotel in the town of S’Agaro on the Costa Brava coast, 90 km north of Barcelona.

This was the 16th UltraSwim 33.3 event uniting swimmers from all over the world around the love of open-water swimming. 

Swimmers from the age of 32 to 68 years of age, with an average of age of 53. More than 60% of all swimmers were women. A usual gender split for UltraSwim33.3 but very unusual compared to other Ultra endurance events.  

The UltraSwim 33.3 community sets itself apart coming together as a vibrant group of people, supporting each other, finding their tribe and sharing their life stories.

UltraSwim 33.3 events take pride in that every swim is an adventure and a journey, every location is stunning, and the overall feeling is an outstanding experience.

Winners – Skins Category - no buoyancy material / wetsuit

Women: Marieke Blomme, Belgium - 05:02:03

Men: Chris Cook – Great Britain - 04:17:20

Winners – Wetsuit Category

Women: Rebecca Wetten, Great Britain - 04:42:50

Men: Frank Maertens, Belgium - 04:44:43

Pioneer edition - UltraSwim 33.3 Barcelona [Costa Brava] 2026 in numbers:

• 16.65 km 

• 2 days / 2 swims

• 56 participants/ 48 completed the distance

• 12 first-time participants/ 44 returning swimmers

• 16 nationalities

• 61% women

• Oldest swimmer: 68 years old

• Youngest swimmer: 32 years old

• Average age: 52

Supported by: Quim Porta Bernaus - Cap de la Unitat d’Esports & thanks to Capitania Palamos.

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