Travessia Salto do Leão — Erval Velho

In Santa Catarina, the calm waters of Represa do Alagado Salto do Leão gather open water swimmers for a freshwater challenge. The event, known as Travessia Salto do Leão — Erval Velho, takes place in the tranquil freshwater reservoir of Erval Velho, in southern Brazil. Organized by Correr e Nadar, this gathering draws competitors to race across a vast and sheltered inland lake. Entering the water here means stripping down to pure swimming essentials, as wetsuits are strictly prohibited across all categories. Without the artificial buoyancy of neoprene, every swimmer relies purely on stroke mechanics, natural body position, and endurance against the freshwater surface. The competition unfolds across an entire weekend, beginning on Saturday afternoon with the flagship 5,000-meter marathon.

Taking on the 5K requires steady pacing through the afternoon light as the reservoir stretches out ahead toward distant banks. The following Sunday morning shifts the tempo, offering a roster of four different distances spanning 3,000 meters, 1,500 meters, 600 meters, and a 200-meter dash. Whether contesting the tactical turns of the 1,500-meter loop or sprinting through the short course, competitors accumulate points toward an annual circuit ranking that spans the season.

Camping and lakeside base at Salto do Leão

Setting up base on the shores is an essential part of the weekend routine for visiting swimmers. Pitching a tent allows swimmers to rest between the Saturday endurance course and the Sunday morning heats. Waking up at the lakeside means stepping straight from camp into morning warm-ups, watching the mist lift off the glassy surface before the first starting horn sounds.

Rio do Peixe: the railway corridor and river waters

During early regional expeditions, explorers christened the river for the extraordinary abundance of fish thriving in its currents. Along the river’s left bank runs the historic São Paulo - Rio Grande railway, an infrastructure corridor that traced the bends of the valley and shaped the inland settlement of Santa Catarina.

Wildlife of the Rio do Peixe basin: turtles and river birds

The river network sustains a vibrant aquatic ecosystem, with 105 catalogued fish species recorded throughout the length of the system. Along the edges of the water, the preserved riparian forest provides a crucial sanctuary for rare aquatic fauna. Among them is Phrynops williamsi, an endangered freshwater turtle found across southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The dense forest canopy bordering the river basin is an equally rich sanctuary for vulnerable birdlife. The basin provides protected habitat for threatened parrot species, including the vinaceous-breasted amazon and the red-spectacled amazon. After challenging the calm waters of Represa do Alagado Salto do Leão, swimmers leave with a true appreciation for the secluded rivers and forests of Erval Velho.