15 SwimSilvestre — Mataró

The rhythm of your stroke is punctuated by the sight of the Posidonia meadows below, a vital benthic community thriving in these depths. Gliding through the water, you might catch the silhouette of a passing gannet or a yellow-legged gull circling near the shoreline. Looking toward the land, the modern skyline of Mataró rests over the ancient Roman town of Iluro, founded in the 1st century BC. You are currently navigating the 1500m course of the SwimSilvestre, a tradition held on the final morning of the year. The route follows a clockwise triangular path from Varador Beach, requiring two left turns around the buoys before the final push to the sand.

The coastal backdrop

As you round the markers, the 17th-century Hermitage of St. Simon remains a constant, silent spectator on the coast, reflecting centuries of seafaring heritage. The coastline itself is defined by granite mountains that reach the sea, with weathered material known as 'arena' feeding the local beaches. While the city wall once stood to protect against incursions, today the shoreline welcomes visitors, including those participating in the Ciutat de Mataró event held earlier in the season. The water here feels brisk, a standard characteristic of the late December window that necessitates the use of a wetsuit for most swimmers.

Event logistics

Since 2012, this gathering has functioned as a year-end tradition for the open water community. The registration fee, ranging from 25 to 27 EUR depending on chip requirements, supports the event's operation and includes a timing chip for accurate tracking. Participation is managed via the 'Xip Groc' system, with all registrations contributing in part to Càritas Mataró. Before heading to the start, swimmers can utilize the provided hose facilities to rinse salt and sand from their equipment, ensuring a clean transit into the changing areas. The event remains a focused, community-driven session where the primary objective is the final swim of the calendar year.