The Ultimate UltraSwim Experience Awaits
Big ultra-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 beautiful Croatia event each May. Its not intended to offer elsewhere.
Its headlined with a 33.3km single swim between the two stunning ancient 12th century villages of Stari Grad, and Hvar Town - literally from village centre to village centre. Stari Grad entered the International Swimming Hall of Fame for the Pharos Swim Marathon - and you’ll start just after sunrise from this, our starting base for the overall UltraSwim 33.3 - you’ll finish 33.3km later in the centre of lively Hvar Town to celebrate an epic achievement!
As a stepping stone up to the 33.3 ULTIMATE, we also offer the shorter 22.2 ULTIMATE - still non-stop - but finishing in Stiniva Bay - still a big step up for those who’ve previously done impressive but shorter marathon swims around 10km.
If already the 33.3km over 4 days seems plenty (quite normal!), then the rest of this is maybe not for you (yet) - but why not get that 'end of winter' (if you're a northern hemisphere person!) challenge of UltraSwim 33.3 #12Croatia booked and have a big hairy goal to aim for!
Entries to the ULTIMATE are strictly limited and you should book early to avoid disappointment.
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, fuel included
Live tracking
Timing and results
MSF documented event ratification request where applicable (if you choose to follow MSF rules, skins, no wearables etc)
Medical cover on standby
Precision Fuel & Hydration product for the swim
Specific preparation webinar and chat support group for ULTIMATE entries
On-site preparation session with Ambassador or Coach
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 live WhatsApp channel for swimmers and support team
ULTIMATE specific Finisher medal
You may swim as much as you like of the other 3 days of UltraSwim 33.3, but those doing the ULTIMATE 22.2 would hopefully add in 11.1km at least to make them also 33.3 Finishers…
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), but they do not need to be entered as a swimmer in the rest of the event.
You will enter the main UltraSwim 33.3 event, and pay the supplement for ULTIMATE on top.
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 Croatia ULTIMATE 33.3
What day of the event will the ULTIMATE swim be? Normally at #12Croatia 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. The only venue we plan the ULTIMATE in 2026, is #12Croatia.
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.
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? 1200 Euros is the additional fee for the ULTIMATE 22.2 and 33.3. Booking conditions for the ULTIMATE are different to the main event package, see the download package for more details.