Circuito Paulista de Maratonas Aquáticas 2026 — Caraguatatuba/Igaratá (junho)

In 1967, a catastrophic landslide reshaped the landscape of Caraguatatuba, a tragedy that forever altered the relationship between the city and its surrounding topography. Today, the coastal waters that witnessed this transformation serve as the arena for the Circuito Paulista de Maratonas Aquáticas, an event organized by the seasoned swimmer Igor de Souza. The memory of the town's resilience is felt as you stand on the shoreline, preparing to enter the same sea that defines the identity of this North Shore capital. The race structure reflects the technical rigor expected of this circuit, which has long served as a training ground for regional marathon swimmers.

The race environment

Swimming in the waters of Caraguatatuba requires adapting to a coastline that stretches across a significant portion of the São Paulo littoral. Unlike the calmer, enclosed bays found further north, these waters are subject to the oceanic swells and currents characteristic of the North Coast. Swimmers generally encounter temperatures typical of the Brazilian winter in June, which necessitates a strategic approach to thermal management during longer distances. The race schedule for the 2026 edition, set for June 21, is designed to align with the logistical demands of managing a large field in an open marine environment. The organizers prioritize safety by coordinating with local nautical authorities to clear the lanes, ensuring that the interplay between the dense local population of over 134,000 people and the maritime activity does not interfere with the swim. Participants often find that the depth variations and the open nature of the course provide a rigorous test of navigation and endurance, far removed from the predictability of pool-based sessions or smaller inland reservoirs.