About UltraSwim 33.3
A new category of open water swimming. The iconic English Channel distance of 33.3km, spread across four days of stunning point to point adventure swim routes, in warm water, iconic locations, and with professional support. World class safety, luxury hotel packages, and a community like no other. An epic adventure swim race - but so much more than just a race.
See our eventsThe formatEvent Format
Each day at UltraSwim 33.3 follows a clear rhythm. Early start, warm up, swim, refuel, recover. The pattern is built to keep you fresh across four days. Times below are indicative and shift slightly per venue and per day.
06:00
Wake up, swimmers' breakfast at the hotel. Share your nerves - you won't be alone! Meet at the dock and pick up your GPS tracker
07:00
Board onto transfer boats and enjoy the sunrise ride to the startline, or sometimes a later start right in front of the hotel - this is an opportunity to do your final preparations before you jump in and start your swim.
12:00
You've finished swimming and now it's time for refuel and massage*, followed by a relaxing afternoon that is yours to enjoy. Briefing at 6pm each evening to get you ready for the next day.
UltraSwim 33.3 is the English Channel distance, 33.3km, swum across four days in warm, iconic open water. A shared adventure that hits the sweet spot between challenge and achievability.
You swim in manageable daily stages with world class safety alongside every metre. Luxury spa hotels, a full preparation programme and premium support mean you arrive ready and recover well.
Most swimmers come alone and go home with friends for life.
Nine short questions, about two minutes of your time. We read your submission, then share information with you to help you select the right event for you.
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 mid teens to eighties, 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 1,794 Euros (€750 for our 2 day Compact format)
The iconic English Channel distance across five to seven swims, in warmer, simply gorgeous locations! Formats include the 33.3 CLASSIC, or the 33.3/2 BUILD which offers a 'Half Channel' non-competitive 17km distance with longest single swim of 5km.
Country to country swims and channel crossings, cave passages and other swim routes that you'd really struggle to organise yourself. Always with a full fleet of safety kayaks, boats and GPS tracking all organised for you. All you have to do is swim.
Included in our main ULTRA + category. Hand-picked premium properties at every venue. Recover, refuel and sleep deeply between swims. Family rooms available. Usually with a great spa for post swim relaxation or sharing the experience with your partner.
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.
This is an Epic Adventure Swim Race. The group energy created over the course of four days carries you through the toughest moments. Swimmers often come alone and quickly find their tribe, people to swim alomgside with or socialise with each evening.
Our swimmers range from mid teens to eighties, with a median age of 50+, from all over the world, and slightly more women than men. United by a shared experience of something epic!
"Nothing great is easy" said Captain Webb. Potentially life changing, certainly epic!
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. It is not for everyone, but everyone can do it. Everyone has a place with us and we have a wide network of support for you leading up to and durng your event.
The full 33.3km, the shortest Dover to Calais line, swum across a four day long weekend in five to seven point to point adventure swims. Both skins and wetsuit categories, with a coveted Finisher droplet for completing every swim.
A Half Channel distance challenge of around 17km in a non-competitive format, with no single swim much beyond 5km across four or five swims. You still get a BUILD Finisher medal if you make it, but places are limited.
Are you preparing for the English Channel? The ULTIMATE option is the full distance in one go, an ideal English Channel build up swim. Available at just ONE of our events each year - in 2027 its a double crossing of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva).
Multi-day, and point to point. World class safety management runs alongside every swim. Professional crews, kayakers, a race director, a dedicated medical boat, and feed stations on any swim beyond 5km. Live GPS tracking so we know where you are at all times. You can just concentrate on the swim.
Solo swim, but never alone. Four days together builds bonds a single day event simply cannot, with swimmers willing each other across every finish line. Afternoons are free for recovery, massage, coaching or exploring, and most people arrive alone and leave with a tribe.
The water is warm, between 20 and 27 degrees across the series, and the settings are extraordinary. Deep fjords and hidden coves, volcanic coastlines, fresh water beneath Alpine vineyards. Each event carries its own theme, wrapped in a five star hotel and support package.
Everything you need to know before you commit to your first Epic Adventure Swim Race. Still unsure? Talk to the team.
The full distance is 33.3km, the width of the English Channel, spread across four days in warm open water. Swims are between 2km and 10km usually - and sometimes two shorter swims on the same day. Half Channel distance (33.3/2) available at most venues - a non-competitive format of total around 17km with no single swim bigger than 5km.
If you can swim at a pace of 2km per hour, you are fast enough to swim an UltraSwim 33.3. The average overall pace at an events historically has been about 2.7km/h with a full range from 2-4.5km/h. Everyone has their place in the swims. We have a network of affiliate coaches and training resources to help you with your training.
That's fine! Most first time 33.3'ers haven't - and most swimmers do their longest ever swims at our event - pulled along by group energy and the professional level support they get from the day they enter to the final finish line. We have training programmes to support you and a range of affiliate coaches you can get in touch with if you want additional support.
No. We choose warm water locations so you can focus on the swim, not the shivering! Water temps vary from 20-27C across our events and are of course weather dependent.
Most swimmers arrive alone and leave with new friends for life. You will find your tribe quickly. Of course we also have groups and clubs coming together - but everyone goes home with a new outlook and a new set of like-minded friends from all over the world.
Packages vary. Every package includes the basics: Hotel (minimum 4*) 4 nights twin shared accommodation (package dependant) including early breakfasts.
Pre-event training plan and training support channel.
Preparation webinars.
Finish line refuel lunches (excluding drinks).
Guided stretching sessions post race.
Upcycled Participation and Finisher Droplet.
Swimmer’s Pack (towel, water bottle).
Tow float and drybag loan (refundable €50 euro cash deposit to pay on collection).
Professional photos and video content.
ULTRA + / ++ packages offer a lot more (more than 65% of all swimmers take the recommended ULTRA+ package at 4* or 5* level (the * is just different accommodation). ULTRA+ and up include post swim massages, dedicated airport transfers, pre-event video analysis option, priority physio support on site, bigger and better swimmer pack etc.
World class safety and event management cover every metre, with kayakers, boats and specialist medics on the water. SwimTelligence 2.0 tracking system gives us a live view of the safety cover in place per swimmer.
From the day you sign up you will not be alone - our training whatsapp group is super popular and really helps everyone to progress. Webinars on training, nutrition and injury support happen regularly. Our experts are there to support you all the way to the start line (and beyond). A free 17 week training programme is provided with more personalised plans available through Swim Smooth Guru and other Affiliate offers. A network of affiliate coaches, physios and nutritionists. A community to train alongside.
Swimmers from 14 to 76, with a median age of 50+, from all over the world. Slightly more women than men. And every kind of ambition and experience level. The most diverse group of people you'll find at any endurance sport event ever and anywhere.
That's completely fine, and there is no shame in that. The group energy carries you through, and our team supports you at every point, whatever you need. You might not get the Finisher droplet this time, but you'll be back to get it next time - you'll aim to do all the other swims of course!
Spaces are limited. €500 deposit holds your place. Payment plans available.
Book now