Quebra Gelo — Edição Verão

The Atlantic waters off Guaratuba during the summer months typically present a shifting environment, where tidal cycles dictate the intensity of the coastal currents. Swimmers must anticipate periodic surges as the tide flows through the bay, requiring steady navigation while maintaining a line parallel to the rocky coastline. Wetsuits are not permitted, placing the emphasis on physical preparation for the variability of the sea state rather than thermal assistance. This is a technical swim, intentionally structured for those with open-water experience who can manage the transition between the open surf and the more protected segments near the shore.

The coastal landmarks

As you navigate the 2,200-meter or 600-meter courses, your orientation is anchored by the natural topography of the bay. The swim path is framed by the Morro do Cristo to the south and the Morro de Caieiras to the north, creating a clear visual corridor for sighting. Beneath the surface, the region holds a dense history; the entire environmental protection area encompasses over a hundred sambaquis, or prehistoric shell mounds, which testify to the millennia-long human presence on this coastline. While pushing through the salt water, keep a lookout for the red-plumaged guarás, birds that remain a defining symbol of the mangroves here, despite their historical population fluctuations. You may also catch a glimpse of the recently inaugurated Guaratuba Bridge spanning the bay, a structure that has fundamentally altered the local transit landscape. The colonial Igreja Matriz stands as a reminder of the 18th-century roots of this settlement, originally inhabited by the Carijó people. This event is part of a broader local sporting cycle, often drawing participants who also compete in the Copa Brasil de Águas Abertas held in these same waters. Registration fees for the 2027 edition range from 35 to 38 EUR, including timing chips and medals, with the logistical costs for the longer distance covering the dedicated transport to the start point.