UltraSwim 33.3 #12 Croatia 2026 — Hvar

Legend speaks of St. Rocco, the patron saint of Stari Grad, who found companionship only in his loyal dog after the world turned its back on him. This bond is captured in the local church, where the saint stands forever with his canine friend—a reminder of the solitude that often defines the long-distance swimmer. As you prepare to enter the water for the UltraSwim 33.3, that same quiet focus becomes your own, whether you are tackling the 33.3km CLASSIC or the 17km BUILD format. You start your journey in the deep-water channel of Stari Grad Bay, shielded from the open sea by the northern Kabal peninsula and the rugged mountain spine of Hvar to the south.

A landscape of 24 centuries

As you swim, you are tracing a course through history that remains largely untouched. To your side lies the Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the ancient Greek agricultural grid of the 4th century BC is still mapped out in dry stone walls and shelters. This landscape witnessed the 1571 Ottoman attack, an event that razed the town and left the Tvrdalj castle in flames, forcing the inhabitants to fortify their Dominican monastery with round towers that still stand today. You might also catch a glimpse of the memorial plaque in the Duolnja kola area, dedicated to Ivan Balčić, who commanded the Hvar galley 'Sveti Jerolim' during the Battle of Lepanto in 1471. While you navigate these waters, be mindful of the southern coast of the bay; in 1994, the first colony of the invasive algae *Caulerpa taxifolia* was identified here, leading to strict prohibitions on fishing and anchoring to prevent its spread. Stari Grad has long been an epicenter for this sport, having hosted the 1989 European Open Water Swimming Championship, the first FINA-sanctioned event of its kind. Those seeking shorter, high-intensity competition nearby might look toward the Faros Maraton or the local challenges at the Plivački maraton Jelsa.

Navigating the channel

The Adriatic here is exceptionally clear, providing a visibility that makes the seabed a constant companion throughout your strokes. The event structure is designed to build your endurance across four days, with two distinct 2.3km channel crossings serving as key technical tests. While you swim, the geography of the bay—including sheltered spots like Tiha—offers a calm transition between the longer marathon-distance days. You are following a path that has seen naval dominance since the 384 BC battle between Greek colonists and 10,000 Liburnians, an era marked by the early Christian basilica complex at the Church of St. John. The entry fee reflects the complex logistics of this multi-day event, including boat and kayak support to manage the transit between Stari Grad and Hvar Town, ensuring safety in a channel where human effort has been tested for millennia.