Hello Swimmers!
When we talk about swimming in Northern Portugal, the first thing most people think is: “The water must be freezing!
And they are not wrong.
I clearly remember the first time I faced truly cold waters. In 2019, I took part in a race in Galicia, Spain, where the water temperature was around 14°C. It was an intense and challenging experience, but one that sparked my curiosity to learn more about this environment.
Since then, swimming in cold water has become a personal challenge. And since 2022, I’ve been coming regularly to Matosinhos to continue that learning process.
But there’s something I discovered along the way: the cold isn’t the biggest challenge.
The real challenge is learning to swim in the sea.
Currents, swell, navigation, adapting to the day’s conditions, and the confidence to handle an environment that is constantly changing all make open water a unique experience.
That’s exactly why I have the pleasure of being part of the Swim4Fun team as an Open Water instructor.
Today we have classes for all levels:
For those who train only in the pool and want to have their first experience in the sea.
For those who already swim in open water and want to improve their technique, sea-reading skills, and confidence.
Group and individual lessons.
Throughout my journey as an open-water ultramarathon swimmer, I have had the opportunity to swim in different locations across Portugal, Spain, and Ireland. In 2021, I completed a 72 km crossing that earned me an internationally recognized record and later inspired the book Beyond the Sea (Além do Mar).
But the most important thing is not the number of kilometres covered.
It’s what I learned from them.
Today, my goal is to help every swimmer develop their relationship with the sea in a safe, progressive, and confident way.
Because open-water swimming is not just a matter of technique.
It is an experience of discovery, growth, and personal achievement.
If you have always been curious to try the sea or are looking to improve in open water, it will be a pleasure to welcome you to one of our classes in Matosinhos.
See you soon, in the water!
José Ferreira
Professor de Águas Abertas | Swim4Fun