Sports
How to Combine Pool and Open Water Swimming: João Bizerra
Former Círculo Militar coach reflects on marathon swimming and advocates integrating the pool with open water.
João Bizerra explains how he introduced pool swimmers to open-water marathons during his decades at Círculo Militar de São Paulo. The coach highlights technical advantages and reflects on the evolution of marathon swimming in Brazil.
For nearly four decades leading Círculo Militar de São Paulo, coach João Luiz Bizerra developed a methodology that broke down barriers between pool swimming and open-water competitions. In an interview on the Natação Stemma podcast, Bizerra detailed how marathon swimming strengthened his athletes' development, turning seamless transitions between environments into a competitive edge.
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From Early Crossings to International Officiating
Bizerra's connection to open water began as an athlete, competing in ocean crossings in Ubatuba, the Ponte Pênsil race in Santos, and the historic São Paulo a Nado at the USP rowing lane with coach José Paulo Scatena. Later, at Corinthians alongside Coach Ney, he took youth teams to swim along the northern coast of São Paulo and in upstate reservoirs.
When taking over the coaching reins at Círculo Militar, Bizerra encountered initial resistance from athletes unfamiliar with swimming outside the pool. Encouraged by figures like Igor de Souza and Mr. Lazuri at the Federação Aquática Paulista (FAP), the club team became a regular fixture at open-water events. This involvement led Bizerra to earn his officiating credentials, ultimately serving as an official at three Brazilian stops of the Marathon Swimming World Cup, including the Santos events.
Círculo's Golden Generation and Historic Victory in São Sebastião
Alongside trips to swim clinics in the United States—encouraged since his time at Corinthians by Fernando Soriano—Bizerra developed several standout athletes. The roster included names such as Alex Shigemitsu Takeda, Ricardo Cambara, Wellington Zazá San, Julvir Moretti, Enio Yamada, Carlos Caldeirão, Francisco Fernandes, and Leste Souza Longo. Every one of them competed in both pool and open-water marathons.
One of the most memorable milestones of this generation involved Camila Bernardi Lancette. A state, national, and South American champion, Camila became the club's first swimmer selected for a World Championship in the pool, held in the Czech Republic under coach Paulo Ruas. Before that, while still competing in the youth division at just 12 years old, Camila took part in a 3 km race in the newly created São Paulo State Open Water Championship, starting at Barra do Queçaba and finishing at Praia dos Trabalhadores in São Sebastião. Defying all odds, she crossed the line in first place overall, outperforming the entire men's field.
Pool and Open Water: Complementary Disciplines
For João Bizerra, concerns that open water hinders pool performance are misplaced. The refined pacing developed in the lanes gains valuable endurance, technical adaptability, and mental resilience from marathon swimming, as athletes learn to navigate waves, currents, and the absence of walls to rest on.
Contemporary examples reinforce this synergy, with elite pool distance swimmers like Guilherme Costa ("Cachorrão") and brothers Bruce and Brandonn Almeida quickly excelling when competing in open water. For sprinters, shorter 1 km races serve as an excellent training stimulus.
Evolution of the State Circuit and FAP Tribute
The open-water landscape in São Paulo has matured significantly over the years. The state championship now mirrors the traditional pool format, divided into winter and summer editions held in venues like Praia da Cocanha in Caraguatatuba, drawing hundreds of registered and independent swimmers.
The current program features 500 m races for youth categories, 1 km for junior divisions and above, 2.5 km, 5 km, and a 4x750 m mixed relay. In recognition of his historic contributions to developing the sport and nurturing athletes across the state, the Federação Aquática Paulista named the state circuit championship trophy the Troféu João Bizerra.
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