A Paper Placemat, a Friendly Wager and a Sport

Paper placemats are a common fixture on the tables of numerous bars, with an illustrated map of the local area to draw the attention of locals and tourists who can imagine visiting each marked point. This is what four friends found themselves doing in a Stockholm bar, amid the clutter of their empty beer glasses. They drew a route that would cross almost 75 km of land and sea through the Archipelago and challenged each other to cover that distance on foot and in the water. The reward? Whichever two-person pair arrived second would have to pay the expenses of the first. 

Thus, a new sport was born. ÖtillÖ, Swedish for island to island, later coined as Swimrun, is where trail running and open water swimming meet, giving rise to a new challenge for adventurers and endurance sport enthusiasts. With just 20 years of history, it is a relatively young sport that is growing nonstop. It represents an alternative for fans of multisport events such as triathlon or aquathlon.

 

 

Swimrun does not belong to any federation, nor is it governed by strict regulations. It was established as a race in which two-person pairs compete in running and swimming segments that depend on the terrain and landscape of the course to cover the distance between the start and finish. The partners must finish at the same time and carry any gear they use with them to the end. This adventure sport provides a unique opportunity for athletes to discover and interact with nature and the environment. To commemorate the sport's place of origin, every year, the world championship is held in Sweden and it is considered to be one of the toughest events on the planet. 

You do not have to be in Sweden to practice this sport or to find races of such challenging distances. As the sport has become more popular, numerous organizations have proposed more accessible distances for all audiences in addition to long-distance endurance athletes. Today, races can be found in places with amazing landscapes, such as the Costa Brava in Catalonia, the Azores Islands, the Gorges de la Loire in France... and for accessible distances, like the “super sprint,” between 5 and 10 km.

 

 

 

Participants can participate with minimal equipment, but there are some materials that we think you should consider as you prepare for your adventure. A distinguishing characteristic of Swimrun is the ability to swim with flotation elements and paddles, and knowing how to choose the right ones for your needs and how to carry them is essential. Swim paddles are a very popular propulsion element, since they can help you swim faster. Depending on your technical skills, we would suggest more ergonomic swim paddles for beginners and larger, flatter paddles for those with experience swimming with them. To carry them during running segments, depending on their size, you can keep them in the pockets of your wetsuit or flip them around to the backs of your hands and run with them.

The pull buoy is another important element to keep in mind that can counteract the fact that you will be swimming with running shoes on and help you maintain as hydrodynamic a position as possible in the water. Swim run pull buoys differ from the ones designed for use in a pool because they come with an elastic band that allows you to attach it to your thigh and run with your hands free. It is important to train with one in advance and test it to make sure it does not cause any friction on your skin or wetsuit that could cause it damage.

 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must choose your wetsuit. Despite being similar in terms of the materials used for their manufacture, at first glance, we can easily differentiate a Swimrun wetsuit from those designed for triathlon or open water. Swimrun suits are functional wetsuits, which, without sacrificing thermal insulation or flexibility, are mainly characterized by being short in both extremities for easier running on foot. They also have a front zipper, which can be lowered if necessary, once out of the water. It also has pockets, which can be very useful during the race.

There are other accessories that can complement your equipment, such as neoprene or elastic sleeves, but the experience itself will be your best guide as you face the epic challenge that is Swimrun.

This sport provides the unique experience of engaging with your natural environment, where the race changes and unfolds as it progresses on the terrain, from rocks and waves to roads and rivers. Every swimrunner accomplishes something by becoming one with their natural surroundings, because the journey itself matters more than the destination.