Maratona Aquática do Capivari

Framed by steep forested crests, the Capivari reservoir spreads across a secluded mountain valley just outside Curitiba. The Maratona Aquática do Capivari is an open water swimming race in the freshwater lake of Represa do Capivari, in Campina Grande do Sul in the state of Paraná, Brazil. This expansive mountain reservoir is situated between Campina Grande do Sul and Bocaiúva do Sul, fringed by dense native forest and flanked by the rising slopes of the mountain range. The body of water provides a protected inland basin sheltered from the erratic tides, waves, and swells typical of coastal swims. Swimmers glide over still freshwater where strokes meet uniform resistance and sightings remain fixed on the surrounding green ridges. The natural backdrop creates an environment of quiet isolation, where the forest canopy stretches directly down toward the water's edge.

Recanto Tio Maneco: the lakeside grounds overlooking the course

For the Maratona Aquática do Capivari, swimmers and supporters assemble at Recanto Tio Maneco, a private lakeside property situated near Curitiba. The venue sits at the base of the hills along the Capivari reservoir, serving as the central meeting place and launch site on race morning. From the elevated slopes and the top of the mountain on the property, spectators enjoy an unbroken panorama across the entire expanse of the swim course below. Family members and coaches can track competitors as their strokes trace patterns over the reflective surface of the reservoir. The setting creates an intimate race atmosphere tucked into the countryside. The private property's surrounding grounds allow athletes to prepare mentally while looking out over the calm waters before making their way down to the shoreline.

Represa do Capivari: from night swims to the endurance circuit

The waters of the Capivari reservoir have hosted open water swimming events for years under the Correr e Nadar group. In 2012, the reservoir was the venue for Capivari by Night, a 2 km night swim that formed part of the Circuito Correr e Nadar de Maratona Aquática 2012. Night swimming in open water demands heightened focus and precise support. For that 2012 nocturnal event, the swim course across the dark lake was illuminated and guided by motorboats and kayaks. The 2012 night event featured an introductory 600 m race designed for beginners, allowing novices to complete their swim accompanied by parents, teachers, or coaches. In 2022, the 13th Maratona Aquática do Capivari was held on Sunday 6 February at the Capivari reservoir in Campina Grande do Sul. That 2022 competition formed part of the Circuito Summit organized by Correr e Nadar.

Maratona Aquática do Capivari: course layout, waves and the floating platform

The event provides an extensive program of distances suited to all levels of open water swimming, offering courses over 200 m, 800 m, 1,500 m, 2,500 m, 5,000 m, 7,500 m, and 10,000 m. Wetsuits are permitted across all events, allowing participants to choose thermal protection and added buoyancy according to their preferences. The race schedule is held in the southern spring, with scheduled event dates falling in late October or early November. Swimmers enter the water in a carefully staged sequence of wave starts. The 800 m competitors launch first, followed by the combined departure of the 10 km and 7.5 km marathon racers. Next comes the start for the 1.5 km distance, followed together by the 5 km and 2.5 km swimmers, while the 200 m children's event sets off last.

Endurance competitors tackling the longer distances must manage their hydration and caloric intake over several hours of continuous effort. For athletes participating in the 5 km, 7.5 km, and 10 km races, a dedicated floating support platform is stationed on the water. This floating station provides a resting and feeding station where swimmers can access and consume their own personal food and hydration during the competition. Individual kayak or SUP support paddlers navigate alongside their swimmers, keeping pace and offering a reassuring presence through the wide mountain basin. For the flagship 10 km marathon, the organization enforces a strict time limit of 4 hours and 30 minutes. When the cutoff time arrives, the race buoys are removed from the water, and swimmers who are still on the course between their third and fourth laps are picked up by the organizers' safety boats, even if the absolute time limit would expire a few minutes later.

The race finishes directly on the water rather than upon the shoreline. According to the circuit rules, competitors must round the outside of the yellow cone finish buoy before swimming through an inflatable portal floating in the reservoir to record their official completion. Correr e Nadar presents trophies to the top five overall male and female finishers across every distance. In addition, age category trophies are awarded to the first five finishers in the 10 km marathon and to the top three in all other race distances, celebrating endurance across every wave on the Capivari reservoir.