How to move from Oceanman race distances to the ultra distance of 33.3km across four days.
Moving from Oceanman to ultra distance means building endurance rather than speed. UltraSwim 33.3 covers 33.3km across four days in warm water, so Oceanman race fitness becomes the base for a multi day ultra swim with recovery and full support.
UltraSwim 33.3 is an Epic Adventure Swim Race™ covering 33.3km, the historic English Channel distance, split across five to seven point to point open water swims (we hate laps) over four days in warmer water locations (a half Channel 17km option exists). So far held in Croatia, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, Montenegro and the Caribbean, based at luxury spa hotels, with world class safety cover, premium support, a complete preparation programme and a diverse community that ranges from 14 to 74 years old, usually more women than men. From competitive Masters swimmers, triathletes and swimrunners to leisure and wild swimmers simply aiming to complete the distance. From a required pace of just 2km/h, any determined swimmer can do it. Come in a group or alone, everyone leaves with new friends for life. Award winning, all inclusive packages start from €1,575 CHECK (€750 for our 2 day Compact format)
Ultra distance swimming is about sustainable pacing, fuelling and recovery across days, not minutes. This spoke explains how Oceanman fitness maps onto the 33.3km format and what to add to your training to get there.
Ultra distance swimming rewards sustainable pacing, in water fuelling and recovery across days rather than a single fast effort. Oceanman fitness maps well onto the format; the main additions are longer training swims, a fuelling strategy and practice at swimming on consecutive days.
The iconic English Channel distance spread over 5 - 7 swims. Choose the full 33.3 CLASSIC, or the 33.3 / 2 BUILD 'Half Channel' which caps each swim at 5km. Life-changing for many.
Swiss precision event organisation. Boat and kayak safety cover provided on every swim. Daily briefings on conditions, route and pace. Experienced and dedicated team
Whether you come on your own or with a club, you will find your tribe, and make new lifelong bonds over 4 days of highs and lows as you reach for that 33.3 Finisher droplet
All iconic, each with their own challenges and beauty - Croatia, Switzerland, Greece, Montenegro, Spain and the Caribbean. From May to December and designed to fit your season and time constraints.
Explore the preparation programme, coaching and swim camps that get you to the start line ready.
Explore trainingThe distance is achievable, but it rewards preparation. Warm water and full support remove the barriers so the challenge is you against the distance.
Footage and voices from swimmers who made the jump to the 33.3km ultra distance.
Ultra distance covers the long end of open water swimming. UltraSwim 33.3 sets it at 33.3km, the English Channel crossing distance, spread across four days.
Add back to back training swims in your build up so your body adapts to swimming, recovering and swimming again. The preparation programme guides the progression.
Warm water removes the cold acclimatisation barrier, so preparation can focus on endurance and technique rather than surviving the cold.
The 33.3km total is divided across four days, so each swim is an achievable share of the distance rather than the whole in one go.