The ‘ULTIMATE‘ challenge awaits
Big ultra-marathon swim challenges like the English Channel can be very difficult to organise, often with long waiting lists, uncertain weather windows, or expensive and complicated solo organisation costs. Whether your aspiration is to take on an iconic Channel swim in the future, or you relish the idea of an ultra-marathon challenge, without the hassle of organising it, UltraSwim 33.3 has one big swim option added to the #19Switzerland for Léman hope event. A double-crossing of Lac Léman (aka wrongly Lake Geneva!) from Lausanne-Evian-Lausanne #19SWITZERLAND 23-26 July 2027 - with the long swim planned normally for the 25th weather permitting.
After a test ‘ULTIMATE’ in Montenegro in 2024, and twi editions in Croatia in 2025 and 2026, the ULTIMATE’ will now move to Switzerland for our first lake edition non-stop ULTRA MARATHON option. The ‘ULTIMATE’ is only offered at one of our classic events each year. You can swim in a wetsuit or skins, your choice!
Entries to the ULTIMATE are strictly limited to 10 entries and you should book early to avoid disappointment.
The ULTIMATE swim will usually take place on Day 3 (Sunday 25 July 2027) of the UltraSwim 33.3 event with Days 2 and 1 (Saturday 24 July and Friday 23 July in that order of priority ) being reserve days in case of adverse weather. The course is a double-crossing of Lac Leman from Lausanne-Evian-Lausanne. A minimum pace of 2.3km/h is required for the ULTIMATE swim.
A dedicated boat + skipper will be provided as part of the extensive ULTIMATE support package.
Entry Cost: UltraSwim 33.3 Event entry fee + ULTIMATE supplement fee (see further for details)
Benefit from the full UltraSwim 33.3 event experience wrapped around the ULTIMATE challenge. You will be able to join one of the prior CLASSIC event swims as an acclimatisation swim, or join the final Monday swim to celebrate after your crossing.
ULTIMATE: what we will provide:
• Planning, weather, set course, delivery
• A dedicated ULTIMATE co-ordinator / Race Director
• Personal support boat with skipper, fuel included
• Recce trip of the course
• Live tracking
• Timing and results
• Medical cover on standby
• Full medical check by our on-site doctor
• Precision Fuel & Hydration products for the swim
• Support boat pack
• ULTIMATE preparation webinar
• ULTIMATE pre-event briefing & on site preparation session
• Dedicated boat tracker and radio support on each boat
• Remote monitoring of tracking throughout
• Start and Finish lines and course markers where required
• Dedicated WhatsApp channel for swimmers and support teams, includes our Ambassadors’ input where appropriate
• ULTIMATE specific Finisher medal / and prizegiving (Sunday 25 July 2027)
ULTIMATE: you need to provide:
For the ULTIMATE option swim only, you need a 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.
Any extra specific nutrition, fresh food and feeding equipment (eg feedstick if choosing to swim under MSF rules)
A medical certificate certifying fitness for the ULTIMATE swim*
Your mental strength and desire to finish!
* UltraSwim 33.3 will provide a medical certificate template which must be signed by a certified medical professional following an in-person medical;
Plan A courses for the ULTIMATE
Q&A on ULTIMATE Switzerland
What day of the event will the ULTIMATE swim be? Normally on the Sunday, with Saturday and Friday as reserve days. You are free to swim the other races on the other event days (Friday-Monday), as you wish.
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 is very low as we have three days to be able to achieve this swim - in the worst case scenario where the crossing is not possible we will endeavour to do an equivalent distance on the protected side of the lake (but no guarantee).
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), and equally have experience on how to maintain both safe distance and correct protection for the swimmer to ensure the skipper acts as you require them to. Let us know at the time of application if you do not have a support person, we may be able to provide experienced support for a supplement.
How fast do I need to swim? With just post mid-summer daylight hours, the minimum average pace required will be 2.3km/h for the ULTIMATE - 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. Swimming is not permitted after nightfall.
Can I bring more than one person with me? Yes, the boat that will be dedicated to you will have the space for up to 3 support crew
What is different to this offer compared to LGSA? You’re part of a bigger event, you can swim the other days of the CLASSIC event, you can choose a full service package (hotel etc), you have access to the event physio, webinars, coaching, massage (on + pack), and you have a full support boat not just a kayak (so can have more team in place if you want on the water), free nutrition supplied from Precision F&H, plus live tracking to share with supporters.
How late can I leave it to book? Places are strictly limited to a maximum of 10 ULTIMATE swimmers so you are advised to secure your space as soon as possible via www.ultraswim333.com/enter, pay your event deposit + ULTIMATE fee and send your marathon swimming resumé to epicswims@ultraswim333.com for us to assess.
Booking conditions for the ULTIMATE are different to the main event package, see the download package for more details.
““I have been completely overwhelmed since it finished and can’t quite believe what I achieved. So thank you for giving me the opportunity, as it has served as amazing training in preparation for my English Channel swim later this year.””
““Thank you for all your hard work organising a fabulous event. I would never have been able to organise a such a swim so far from home without your help, and am so very glad to have had to chance to swim in such a special location””
Stéphane’s 33.3 journey and record