Photo by Vidar Nordli Mathisen.
People have paddled since time immemorial, but the first recorded public swim was in the River Thames in 1791. The winner reportedly subsequently expired from overdoing the celebratory gin. Nineteen years later, legendary daredevil Lord Byron secured his place in swimming legend by traversing the Hellespont Strait.
Catalunya has a long tradition of open-water swimming and its own long-distance legend in Montserrat Tresserras (Olot, 1930-2018). Among other pioneering feats, she was the first Spanish woman to swim the Strait of Gibraltar and the first Spaniard to conquer the English Channel. Club Natació Barcelona held Spain’s first open-water race, the Copa Nadal, in 1907. Apart from a hiatus during the Spanish Civil War, it continues to welcome the competitive, the disabled, families and fancy dress to this day.
After a spell in the wilderness of the safety-conscious late 20th century, open-water swimming is once again on the rise among the public, thanks to growing appetite for outdoor pursuits and the popularity of triathlons. Miquel Sunyer, co-founder and the brains behind the Vies Braves, says, “In the history of the human race I don’t believe there have ever been as many people swimming in the sea as there are right now.”
Photo by Andreas Gücklhorn.
And you don’t have to be an Ironman to enjoy it. Vies Braves is a network of 26 public swimming lanes of varying length and difficulty, accessible to all throughout the summer. From 10 routes in 2014, it’s grown to span the Costa Daurada, Barcelona, the Costa Brava and the Pantà de la Baells in Berga. An ever-growing community of swimmers includes both locals and those coming from abroad to enjoy this unique network.
Vies Braves aims to promote sport, health and leisure and raise awareness of marine ecosystems by bringing people into close contact with the sea. A veteran long-distance swimmer, the project was born from Miquel’s desire to give something back, “The sea has given me some very special, unrepeatable moments. I wanted to somehow give back to the sea, and for everyone to be able to enjoy open-water swimming as I do.”
Photo by Humphrey Muleba.
Outdoor swimming has many benefits. It’s great for low-impact, all-round fitness, challenging yourself and pushing your limits. Swimming in cold water surrounded by beautiful scenery also is therapeutic, exhilarating and fosters a love of the oceans and the desire to protect them: 90% of Vies Braves swimmers report increased environmental awareness. Best of all, apart from a bit of kit, it’s completely free!
Miquel feels strongly that, while pool training is essential, swimming only indoors or in competitive contexts is a mistake as we miss out on the wonderful, mysterious, ever-changing world of the sea. He says, “A swimming pool is an athletics track and the sea is the mountains. It’s freedom, one of the last free spaces,” elaborating, “It’s as if humans, when we learn to walk we only ever walk in closed rooms or spaces and never go for a walk in the countryside or the mountains. Incredible, right? But this is what happens with swimming.”
Photo by Mari Martin.
While you can use the lanes independently, Vies Braves also offers guided swims and activities including beginner sessions, snorkeling, swim-runs and “eco-swimming” to collect trash from the water. Miquel believes swimmers are in a unique position to flag up changes like species decline from overfishing, and act as aquatic advocates, “We’re perhaps the youngest community but we have a very intimate and special contact with the sea.” They also organize kids’ camps to study the seabed, and provide data to local ajuntaments (city councils) on economic, social and environmental impacts of the vies, whose very presence protects the seabed by preventing boats dropping anchor close to shore.
Miquel says, “The entire Mediterranean is very badly damaged,” classifying it as, “The most diverse sea in the world, but also with the most problems: climate change, invasive species, pollution; plastic or other kinds...” He also points to pressure on the Costa Brava from the tourist industry and Vies Braves’ collaboration with SOS Costa Brava, which achieved a temporary moratorium on coastal construction.
Nada El Mon, Medes 2018. Photo by Arnau Ferrerons Manich (Tuathstudio).
A commitment to sustainability is also key to Neda el Mon’s vision. Founded in 2009 in Roses and active in the Mediterranean and further afield, it offers variable length swims, kids’ activities, swim-runs, swim holidays and services like training, physio and nutrition year-round. As well as minimizing the environmental impact, it aims to benefit local economies and kick back part of revenues to ocean upkeep.
Open water swimming along the Vies Braves. Photo courtesy of Marnaton.
If you crave the thrill of competition, Marnaton will be right up your swimming lane. Begun in Cadaques in 2008 to share a passion and facilitate safe open-water swimming for all, today it runs 8-10 events in Catalunya and the Balearics May through June and September through October. There’s something for everyone, from a few kilometers to the appropriately named 20 km Big Swim, plus swim-runs, kids’ races, pool training and personalized group events. CEO David Campà reports growing local and international demand, with the Catalan coast drawing swimmers from as far away as New Zealand.
If saltwater isn’t your thing, Catalunya also has lakes, rivers and the Pyrenees to play in. Check out our recommended swimming holes, Wild Swimming Spain, the Wild Swim map or local Meetup groups.
Obviously, before entering any wild water you need a reasonable level of ability and the appropriate gear. Adequate preparation and observing basic rules and tips can help prevent tragedy. As Miquel warns, it’s essential to build up slowly whatever your level, treat the water with great respect and never, ever, “challenge the sea, because the sea always wins.”
Kate Williams.
Kate Williams is a freelance writer, editor, translator and Director of The Writer Stuff. She left her native England for Barcelona in 2003 and never looked, or went, back. When she isn’t writing or discovering all the cool stuff going on in the city, she enjoys hiking in the Catalan countryside, kayaking on the Costa Brava, and volunteers at a local animal sanctuary. You can read more by Kate here.