Photography: Pedro Mestre
On the 24th of October, the sea conditions in Ericeira were excellent for swimming. Diogo Casaleiro, 42-year-old Mafra Municipal worker, made good use of the occasion to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ericeira’s consecration as a World Surfing Reserve in an original way.
It was on October 14, 2011 that Save The Waves Coalition consecrated a coastal stretch of Ericeira as the second World Surfing Reserve in the world.
Diogo swam more than six kilometres from Praia de São Lourenço to Praia dos Pescadores
To mark this event, Diogo swam a total of six and a half kilometres. In addition to the four kilometres of the EWSR, the swimmer felt prepared to extend his adventure for another two and a half kilometres, covering more than six kilometres from Praia de São Lourenço to Praia dos Pescadores, a journey that took about three hours and a quarter to complete.
Alone in the middle of the sea and in certain places at a distance of a kilometre from the coast, Diogo provided himself with a small bodyboard board as a “lifesaver” also used to carry some food inside a bag – fortunately, everything went well and the travel was completed successfully.
Although he does not consider himself an assiduous sportsman, Diogo Casaleiro has carried out some remarkable journeys, especially by bicycle, such as Estrada Nacional 2, the route of 526 kilometers in 24 hours or even the Viana do Castelo – Lisbon route.
We took the opportunity to ask Diogo Casaleiro some questions about this initiative:
How did it come up to you to celebrate 10 years of the Reserve in this way?
When we think about the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve (EWSR), our thoughts go to wave gliding sports (surfing, windsurfing, SUP, etc.), as well as to the preservation of the marine and terrestrial ecosystem that characterizes and provides foundation to the Reserve itself. But there are other aspects that can be explored in this territory, such as diving and swimming. Just a few days ago, there was a swimming competition in open water very close by, at Praia dos Pescadores: the “Mile from Ericeira”. I have been going to Praia de São Lourenço since I was a child, and just as a Portuguese Explorer, in recent years I have looked at the cliff of the fort like a Cape of Storms/Good Hope and felt an urge to make the crossing. In the Algarve, I somewhat ventured into the sea, up to 200 meters from the beach, but there the challenge was more risky given the surf, the cliffs and the lack of visual contact with the beach in case of need for help. As I don’t usually go to sea when the water is cold (as is usual in this area), two years ago I bought, for kicks, a neoprene suit as cheap as the thinness of its thickness. It was only this summer that I actually used it, when in August I decided it would be the day to venture beyond the fort. So, I went from there to Praia dos Coxos and back (about 1.5 km). I confess that I was a little nervous, as going out alone to the middle of the sea is not very advisable, but it is also actually very difficult to find company. But everything ended up going well, in fact, much better than expected, as I didn’t feel cold, or fatigue or complications with the ocean currents. In fact, to minimize the effect of the currents, I make use of fins and hand paddles. In addition to allowing better performance, it’s like a powerful engine “not to look bad when overtaking”… With this, I already had it in my head that I would continue to venture but only in the following year, with a longer journey, like for example going to Ribeira d’Ilhas. However, the summer of 2021 extended beyond what is normal, with hot days and fantastic sea in terms of temperature and swell, and I noticed that the forecasts for the 24th of October were exceptional. I couldn’t resist and, following the saying “never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today”, into the water I went. Bearing in mind that October 2021 marked the 10th anniversary of the EWSR and that the sea and climate conditions were indeed sublime, as soon as I passed the fort of S. Lourenço and looked at the fantastic landscape of the EWSR I thought it was the opportunity to mark this anniversary with a great adventure. So, I looked at the crane and jetty at Porto da Ericeira on the horizon, and it was 6.5 km made in 3 hours and 15 minutes of pure pleasure swimming.
What meaning and importance do you accredit to the Reserve?
As a worker at the Municipality of Mafra, I had some connection with the creation of the EWSR, as 10 years ago I was part of Eng. Hélder Silva’s City Council and I even remember some details of the launch event, which took place in Parque de Santa Martha. Far be it for me to imagine that I would swim across it 10 years later! The Reserve is very important at a local, national and international level, in order to enhance and make known the fantastic conditions of the 4 km coastal strip that runs from Casais de São Lourenço to Ericeira, not only in aquatic terms but also in relation to its terrestrial adjacency, also to preserve it and ensure that it will remain so for generations to come. The 7 world-class waves are increasingly sought after by surfers from all over the world, who hope to find in the EWSR one of the best spots of their lives. Damaging the waves can be difficult, as they come from rocky bottoms, but the risks of water, visual, noise pollution, etc, are always present and the EWSR and its leaders, especially the local authority and the various institutions/associations, are preponderant for the attractiveness and quality of this sensitive territory.
there are other aspects that can be explored in this territory, such as diving and swimming
Did you do any specific previous training to prepare yourself for this crossing?
On most weekends I usually take a bike ride and, even without specific preparation, from time to time I take longer rides, especially Viana do Castelo -Lisbon (566 km) in 3 days, EN2 ( 739 km) in 3.5 days, Torres Vedras – Vila Real de Santo António (526 km) in 24 hours, etc. In swimming, it is just the same. I usually go to the municipal swimming pools in Azueira during free time to swim 30 minutes a week to maintain good body posture and “stretch the skeleton”, as the aquatic environment facilitates. I estimate I do “only” a 1.5 to 2 km weekly session. Nothing comparable to the 200 minutes / 6.5 km last Sunday. I can’t spend a lot of time merely swimming from one side of the pool to the other. On the contrary, despite the dangers, swimming in open water is undoubtedly more stimulating, as the landscape changes and the “I’ll go there since I’m here” thought pops up, as happens in cycling, which leads us to make more distance and more time for activity with equal or greater pleasure.
Would you like to leave some advice for anyone who wants to swim in open water, especially outside the bathing season?
I don’t consider myself an expert. None of that. I’m not even an amateur, as this crossing of the World Surfing Reserve was, still and only, my second adventure in this type of sporting activity. However, there is a consensus that weather and sea conditions, safety and well-being are fundamental. The weather is important because the lack of sun is demotivating and unpleasant, not to mention the fog, which is extremely dangerous. The sea must be calm, as the waves disturb our breathing and our movement. Fighting against the sea is not worth it and it is better to wait for days of calm waters. As for safety, I took a board so I could grab and float in case of need. I also took an orange cap to be more visible to others. The ideal would be to have some company, and even better, a personal watercraft or boat, canoe, SUP, etc, for support. Mobile phone or someone ashore to watch are also welcome. Well-being must be ensured either with adequate clothing (isothermal suit and Lycra undershirt to prevent rash on the neck and armpits) or with food, such as energy bars and bottles of water or other suitable drink.
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
