The main racing events are scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, preceded by the opening of the Llafranc village on the afternoon of Friday, October 9.
The event has grown steadily since its inception seventeen years ago as a swimming challenge among friends, evolving into a premier Mediterranean open-water gathering. This year’s schedule spans multiple distances and formats designed for both elite athletes and recreational swimmers, families, and ocean enthusiasts.
New Course Layout and Event Schedule
Organizers have introduced a new 3.5-kilometer course for this edition. According to race details, the route starts and finishes on the beach in Llafranc, taking swimmers toward Calella de Palafrugell before returning to Llafranc in a circuit designed to bring competitors closer to spectators on shore. The 3.5-kilometer race is set to begin on Saturday, October 10, at 9:45 a.m. local venue time.
Additional distances include a 2-kilometer and a 7-kilometer swim, both starting from Platja d’en Calau in Calella de Palafrugell at 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively. The weekend program also features the Radikal Kids events, the Radikal Relays, and the Last Radikal Standing competition. The Llafranc village opens its doors on Friday at 5:00 p.m., hosting more than 20 exhibitors and wellness-oriented activities.
Elite Field and Safety Protocols
High-performance representation anchors the competitive side of the meeting. The Catalan Open Water Swimming Selection (Selecció Catalana d’Aigües Obertes), led by coach Luis Rodríguez, confirmed entries for prominent swimmers including Guillem Pujol, Ferran Julià, and Clàudia Giralt. The Spanish Artistic Swimming Selection, led by Andrea Fuentes, is also featured in the event rosters.
To manage the large field safely, the support operation deploys more than 35 escort watercraft and 40 tracking kayaks, alongside rescue jet skis, aquatic lifeguards, and ambulances. Furthermore, over 30 experienced “Radikal Angels Swimmers” will accompany the crossings without competing to assist any participants who require aid.
Smart Buoys and Environmental Focus
A notable technical upgrade for the 17th edition is the introduction of eight smart, self-positioning buoys developed by Effetto Venturi in collaboration with Barcelona Propellers. Unlike traditional anchored markers, these units use geolocation to maintain and adjust their positions autonomously without anchoring to the seabed, reducing the event’s physical impact on the marine ecosystem.
The competition is organized by the Club de Natació Radikal Swim with backing from local sports entities and regional institutions. Updates and registration details are maintained through official channels as the October race dates approach.
