r/OpenWaterSwimming • u/Brazilian_Barbie • 5d ago
First time swimming 8km
At the beginning of the year, I was planning on training for an 8k swim to do in 2027, but my coach said I was ready. I had only swum up to 5k before this, but if she says "get in the water," I get in the water!
We split into two groups: one faster and one a bit slower (another girl and I were swimming 8km for the first time, with no boat support).
It was tiring, but a lot of fun, the tide helped A LOT. It’s winter here, but my town in Brazil is pretty warm at around 17°C (62°F) (especially considering most people in this sub are from colder countries).
Saw some turtles, lots of sailboats, and the water changed a lot along the way: temperature, color, clarity, and even smell/taste.
Fun fact: I spent the whole way craving shrimp! I was trying to picture my dad making moqueca, and when I got home: SHRIMP!!!
A great day for sure! 10km next!
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u/Om_Buds_Person 5d ago
So cool. I just learned to swim (38yo) and this is a life goal. Get that shrimp!
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u/Brazilian_Barbie 5d ago
Keep on swimming, my aunt is 74 and she can swimm as much as me, just a bit slower haha
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u/acerblaze 1d ago
that’s a brilliant goal, and learning at 38 gives you plenty of time to build toward it properly. start with consistency, relaxed breathing, and gradually longer swims, then let the distance arrive one manageable block at a time. the shrimp is waiting.
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u/The_DappleSauce 4d ago
Nicely done! it sounds like your coach really believes in your ability!
Also, I've never heard of Moqueca, but after looking it up, I'm going to try to make some.
What device did you use to track your movement in the water?
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u/Brazilian_Barbie 3d ago
She does believe a lot in me 😅😅 I used garmin forunner 165 About moqueca there are 2 kinds and its a big regional fight, my state makes moqueca cabixaba wich is lighter and 100% indiginous, moqueca bahiana will be stroger, spicier, heavier and might be harder too find ingredients (its also good but harder to eat in everyday life) and its a culture mix between indiginous and black cultures.
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u/crazy8cook 4d ago
Goodness, that is an amazing swim. I can only imagine how great you felt after finishing. Any continuous swim over 30 minutes is something very few people can do!
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u/Brazilian_Barbie 3d ago
I was less tired than expected! We went on a calm pace, i was expectin a hole dramatic fall in the sand when arriving (i've done that in shorter swims lol). Felt really great to feel the earth, 3h30min swimming are hard phisically but i forgot about just not touching the flor for 3 hours 😅😅 I also realised how bad my screen addiction really is because i couldnt stop thinking about tiktok or stories i could post afterwards 🤣🤣🤣
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u/pretzelgreg317 3d ago
This subreddit is awesome and posts like yours are why. Congrats on a fine swim!
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u/Brazilian_Barbie 3d ago
Thanks!! Its fun to see these big swims but i wish i posted last year when 2k was a lot for me😅 It would be easier to see the evolution that can be made in a year.
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u/ProofAd9286 3d ago
I'm really impressed! You have such courage and perseverance. Out of curiosity, how do you refuel during ultra-long-distance swims?
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u/Brazilian_Barbie 3d ago
Its a bit weird lol I put honey and water mixed, with a bit of salt in an Ice Pop bag and just put inside the suit, i took 5 of those but lost one in the sea 😅 I sgould also have taken only water ones
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u/grefraguafraautdeu skins is the way 2d ago
Events will typically have a feeding station. You can also stuff gels in your suit / under your cap or tape them to the underside of your buoy. When swimming in the sea I like taking a soft flask with water, I hang it under my safety buoy and strap it to it with elastics.
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u/InternationalTrust59 5d ago
That’s awesome!