My day at Praia do Creiro

My first participation in a competition since I became a member of Clube Swim4fun.
The Setubal Open Water Race 2025 was scheduled for Saturday, 12th of April 2025 in Praia do Creiro, Setubal and I was inscribed for the 750m along with my boyfriend who was inscribed for the 1900m.
The weather forecast had it that there was some 80% chance of rain and/or fog and on top of that I wasn't very familiar with the beach where the event would take place. To add to the situation, we were a bit concerned about the arrival time so we wouldn't have problems with the parking.
I have to admit I was also nervous because of something else; In previous swim competitions I've always felt the need to swim breaststroke for most of the time as I'd always start to fast and would soon run out of breath, and I really wanted it to be different this time around.
Despite all the these thoughts on my mind the day started calm. We woke up early and went for a nice and comforting (not big) breakfast, (O-juice, cheese sandwich and coffee) and then headed to Praia do Creiro which is located in the Arrabida coast. It looked like it might be a bit foggy at sea level, but we could see some spots of blue sky. Hope.
As we travelled along the road in Arrábida and looking at the surroundings, so green and lush, it helped to lift my spirit and gave me some happy feelings and so I started to let go of the nervousness. Arrived at the parking lot we were greeted by some Swim4fun club members who had arrived before us and that made everything lighter, sharing similar feelings.
When we came down to the beach, the 3800m race had already started so we immediately started watching the ongoing competition and the strong swimmers as they fought for the best places and best lap times. We cheered and clapped when they came out of the water to go for the second and last lap of the race course.
The racing course was composed of a big rectangle defined by buoys where two small red triangular buoys limited the entry and exit channel (at more or less the middle of the bigger side of the rectangle which was closest to the beach) and four big yellow Lidl buoys that defined the vertices of the rectangle that swimmers would have to negotiate. Swimmers would go in the water on the entry channel, swim and turn left on the 1st red buoy, then on each and every big yellow buoy they would turn right until reaching the 2nd red triangular buoy where they would turn left and swim the exit channel to the Start/Finish line. The swim course was 1,900m in length so the first race was two laps around the course with a passage on the start/finish line.
Meanwhile more Swim4fun club members kept arriving at the beach (maybe 20) and the participants for the 1900m race started warming up and making themselves ready to go.

We (the ones for the 750m) went up to the organization tent to retrieve our participation kits (T-shirt and chip) and then proceeded to enjoy the warm weather and the sun, which was now strong as the clouds were scattering.

As we congratulated and cheered the finishers of the main race, the 3800m, I couldn't help noticing how happy some of them were about their achievement and it also very nice that they were encouraging us for our own competitions. We took photos and in no time, the second run started: 1900m, one lap around the swimming course.
Because my boyfriend was participating in the 1900m and I wanted to see him get to the finishing line, I changed into my wetsuit and went for a warmup, while the 1,900 group was racing.
I could hear Bibis words of advice in my head and how to warm up in the water we should start by doing some strong and fast strokes followed by slow strokes and then repeat one or two times. I tested my goggles, swim cap, wetsuit and neck protection all in place; Check.
The water was relatively warm and clear. Good. I came out of the water, grabbed the camera and went to see the arrival of the 1,900m group. Some participants were complaining that they felt there was a strong head current that created an obstacle in the longer stretch of the race and which made them take longer than expected to finish the course. My boyfriend arrived and was happy and exhausted (although he was not satisfied with his time). But his arrival gave me confidence and so I was ready to take my turn in the racing course
Some participants were complaining that they felt there was a strong head current that created an obstacle in the longer stretch of the race and which made them take longer than expected to finish the course. My boyfriend arrived and was happy and exhausted (although he was not satisfied with his time). But his arrival gave me confidence and so I was ready to take my turn in the racing course.

Our start got slightly delayed, we wished each other success and a good race and then they blew the horn, and the race started.
As I entered the water and started swimming, I kept saying to myself “stay calm, don't go to fast already, find your own rhythm”. It wasn’t easy for the first 50m of the course as there were a lot of strange feet and arms around me, people trying to overtake other swimmers and rushing. But after I turned the first red buoy, I found my speed and just 1..2..3..breath..4..5..6..breath. I counted my strokes and saw the next buoy coming closer, done….I swam from buoy to buoy to buoy.
On the second half of the course I was then close to 2 other swimmers, which I thought I could overtake. Not easy; Just the precise moment I was going to make my move, a third swimmer blocked my way. Only at the next buoy I managed to take over and go faster.

Still 2 more buoys to negotiate. I swam a bit faster as it felt I still had some energy. Last buoy, a big bloke in front of me I couldn’t overtake. 2 breast strokes to see here I am. The finish line is close, some more strokes, getting up and running to the end. I made it!!! I heard people clapping and cheering. I was super happy that it felt so much easier this time.
Photos and congratulations for the Swim4fun 750m participants, me, Elisabeth and Paulo. While enjoying our achievements under the bright and warm Spring Sun we could regain our breaths and sense our heart rates coming back to normal and could then change back to our beach clothes and go watch the last race of the day, the team’s relay race.

More excitement, more cheering and clapping and the teams relay race was over. Podium and awards time.
Mais luta pelas posições, mais emoção, mais alegria na praia, mais aplausos e palavras de incentivo aos participantes e a corrida de estafetas em equipa chega ao fim. Hora do pódio e da distribuição dos prémios.

Finally, the Setubal Open Water Race 2025 was completed, everyone was happy and in good spirits. Plans for the next events were discussed.

As we walked up the hill to get to the car we could feel the tiredness in our legs, and we were thinking of a well deserved rest.
About 15 of us, Swim4fun club members, went out for a late lunch in Setubal to have a good portion of Choco Frito, some refreshments and chat about the experience and the feelings left by the event. What a good way to finish such a fantastic Swim 4 Fun day.

Manja Grosche