DOURO BRIDGES – Porto & Gaia – OPEN WATER

The Madeira Island Ultra Swim 2025 is an open water swimming event taking place on September 20 and 21, 2025, in Funchal, Madeira. This event features a variety of distances, including 0.5K, 1.5K, 3.5K, 5K, 10K, and a challenging 20K ultra swim.

The competition is open to all swimmers, including elite athletes and masters, and welcomes participants of all nationalities. The 20K ultra swim distance requires special conditions for participation and is limited to a small number of participants by invitation only.

The race courses offer stunning oceanic landscapes around Madeira Island, starting and finishing at iconic locations such as Cais da Cidade and Ponta de Sol, providing a unique experience in natural sea waters. The event atmosphere is competitive but inclusive, with categories for various age groups and the possibility for extra-competition participation.

The Ricardo Pedroso Crossing is an open water swimming event held on September 21 in Mértola, Portugal. It offers three distances: 500 meters, 1000 meters, and 1500 meters, catering to a wide range of swimmers including federated and non-federated athletes, triathletes, Olympians, and Paralympians.

The event is open to all swimmers, featuring participation from top national teams such as Sporting Clube de Portugal and Clube de Futebol os Belenenses, making it a highly competitive and prestigious race. Its partnership with the Mértola Municipality since 2019 highlights its strong community and local support.

The race takes place in the scenic Tapada Grande da Mina de S. Domingos area, providing a unique natural backdrop for competitors. The atmosphere combines competitive spirit with a sense of camaraderie among swimmers of all levels, including elite athletes and enthusiastic amateurs.

The 2nd Global Ocean Sagres Crossing will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Praia da Mareta, Sagres – the southernmost beach of mainland Portugal. Organized by Global Ocean and Maresia Associação Recreativa, in collaboration with the Municipality of Vila do Bispo, Algarve Swimming Association, and under the rules of the Portuguese Swimming Federation, this open water event promotes environmental awareness and ocean protection.
Two distances will be held:
600m (open to all from age 10)
2,000m (official, open and licensed swimmers from 2010/2011 and older)
The race is part of the Feira do Mar event, offering a unique swimming experience near the iconic Fortaleza de Sagres.

The Swim Party 10 km Algarve takes place on 6 September 2025 along the Algarve coast, starting at Praia do Carvalho and finishing at Praia dos Caneiros, in Lagoa, Portugal. The event offers a 10 km individual swim or participation as a 3‑member relay team. It is designed for swimmers who want to combine the challenge of a long‑distance open‑water swim with a relaxed, community‑oriented atmosphere. The route follows a spectacular coastal line, passing stunning cliffs, caves, and beaches, making it a unique sporting and scenic experience. After the swim, participants gather for a convivial lunch and awards celebration, reinforcing the social spirit of the event.