How can I put into words all the sensations that open-water swimming brings me, the many stories, and the many friendships made in and out of the water?
Until the age of 10, I wouldn’t go near the water at the beach—I was a puddle swimmer. It was at this age that I started attending swimming lessons. I let go of my fear and learned to swim. And so, 35 years passed in the midst of chlorine.
In 2019, I decided to take part in what is now the Swim GP. A 1000-meter swim? "No problem." I bought a wetsuit the day before and off I went. As soon as I got in the water to warm up, I said to myself, "Alexandre, go home. You already have the souvenirs, you're not going to make it."
Esse ano e nos anos seguintes, consegui 1000, 1900, até chegar aos 5000 metros.
In 2024, I took on an even bigger challenge: crossing the Faial-Pico Channel. It was a crossing with a bittersweet taste. I made a mistake in choosing my route and touched the island of Pico 1000 meters away from the official finish point, as the current had already shifted, pushing me further away from my destination. After some time swimming without making progress, I decided to conclude my crossing—after all, I had reached Pico, and that was my personal goal.
Alexandre Sequeira