Travessia Poliana Okimoto — Etapa Bora Bora

Ten years after winning Brazil's first female Olympic medal in swimming at the Rio Games, Poliana Okimoto brings open water swimmers to the Atlantic waters of São Sebastião. The event, Travessia Poliana Okimoto — Etapa Bora Bora, is an open water swimming race held along the shores of Praia de Bora Bora in the state of São Paulo. Founded by Okimoto herself, the circuit celebrates her historic Olympic achievement and draws swimmers to race off the open coast. Lining up on the shoreline, competitors meet rolling ocean swells that test sighting, rhythm, and pacing across every distance. Organized by Travessia Poliana Okimoto in December, the gathering features courses suited to sprint swimmers and distance specialists alike.

Swimmers can take on distances of 500 meters, 1,000 meters, and 2,500 meters, with past editions also featuring an extended 5-kilometer route. Competitors dive through the surf from the beach, navigating around turn buoys in the open sea before sprinting back onto the sand. For those seeking an endurance multisport format, the event also includes a Swimrun Challenge that combines a one-kilometer open water swim with a five-kilometer run across the ocean beach.

Earlier editions at Praia de Bora Bora

In 2022 the Bora Bora stage decided the season winners of the Travessia Poliana Okimoto, whose standings also counted the Ilhabela stage of the first half of the year and a virtual challenge. At an earlier Bora Bora stage, Camila Pimentel won the women's 2.5 km swim in 49 minutes 42.086 seconds. The second stage of the 2024 Travessia Poliana Okimoto was set for 8 December at Praia de Bora Bora in São Sebastião. That year the stage was announced with an aquathlon alongside the open water races, pairing a 1 km swim with a 5 km run that could be entered individually or in pairs. For 2024 the São Sebastião stage aimed to surpass the first-semester stage at Praia do Indaiá in Bertioga, which gathered about 1,800 athletes, with about 3,000 athletes expected.

Praia Brava and the southern coastline of São Sebastião

Swimming out gives athletes a broad perspective of the coastline, balancing the physical demand of open water navigation with the natural sweep of the surrounding coast.

Praia de Bora Bora: seafront stays beside the ocean sand

Staying right along the edge of the beach provides a seamless transition from racing to resting by the water. Several beachfront accommodations offer the experience of waking up directly to the sound of the sea. Being steps from the tide lets swimmers inspect water conditions and morning currents before the start horn sounds, and relax along the sand once the race is over.

Barra do Sahy: a twin open water crossing in December

Swimmers planning a longer coastal trip can pair the event with another open water crossing. The Fuga das Ilhas — Barra do Sahy race takes place at Barra do Sahy in São Sebastião just seven days earlier. Taking part in both races lets competitors experience two distinct stretches of ocean sand and coastal water over the course of a single week.