300km Revezamento em Águas Abertas

The stroke is rhythmic, your hand slicing into water so clear that the seabed, a mosaic of submerged rocks and shifting sands, appears within arm’s reach. You are miles into the 300km Revezamento em Águas Abertas, drifting past the rugged headlands of the Santa Catarina coast. Around you, the silence is broken only by the synchronized breathing of your teammates and the gentle lap of the swell against the support sailboat that acts as your mobile base. Ahead, the horizon is dominated by the steep, green-clad cliffs of the Bombinhas peninsula, a landscape that, since 2013, has held the official designation of 'Capital of Ecological Diving'.

The course and its heritage

This relay journey traces a path through sites deeply marked by the 1817 arrival of Azorean settlers who established the original Vila de Nova Ericeira. As you transition between shifts, you pass through waters that encompass sections of the Arvoredo Biological Marine Reserve, established in 1990 to guard the delicate balance of the local marine ecosystem. The route demands constant tactical adjustments as you move from the protected coves of Porto Belo toward the open stretches near Governador Celso Ramos and Florianópolis. Swimmers often find themselves navigating near the 4km of preserved restinga vegetation at Mariscal, a rare coastal ecosystem that remains untouched by the high-rise developments common elsewhere.

Logistics of a long-distance relay

Given the immense distance, the event operates as a self-contained expedition. Five swimmers share the load, with the freedom to divide the segments or swim in pairs depending on the current and fatigue levels. The higher logistical investment required for this race reflects the complexity of coordinating a support sailboat and a secondary rapid boat, ensuring safety with dedicated onboard fire and rescue personnel. Wetsuits are permitted throughout the journey, providing thermal regulation for the long hours spent in the water. For those seeking shorter, high-intensity challenges in similar conditions, the season often includes events like the Bombinhas Summer Crossing, while the 300km relay remains the primary test of endurance for those looking to experience the full extent of the coast. The adventure concludes back in Porto Belo, where the team's shared effort is marked by a final ceremony at the historic harbor.