Sports
João Bizerra: Inside Open Water Swimming's Wild Early Days
The coach reflects on 25 km races in Italy, the Canadian marathon circuit, and the evolution of open water swimming.
In an interview on Natação Stemma, veteran coach João Bizerra recounts historic tales from international open water swimming in the 1990s. From grueling courses in Canada to storm-tossed races in Italy, he details the sport's daring pioneer spirit.
Long before marathon swimming achieved official Olympic status and boasted real-time weather apps, taking on global long-distance races demanded an extra dose of grit and improvisation. On episode #50 of Natação Stemma, international coach and referee João Bizerra recalled memorable stories from the early 1990s, when he led Brazilian athletes across the world's most grueling circuits.
Their entry onto the international stage gained momentum around 1991, spurred by Igor de Souza, one of the sport's great pioneers in Brazil. With swimmer Alex Taqueda under his wing, Bizerra embarked on a four-race tour across Canada—stopping in historic marathon hubs like Roberval, Magog, and Saint-Jean—over courses that pushed the limits of contemporary aquatic ultramarathons.
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Challenges in Canada and an Unlikely Sprint
Among his memories from the Canadian circuit, a curious story from Magog stands out due to the format of a pre-race sprint. The 3 km promotional race required swimmers to complete 1,500 meters to a floating dock, swallow a sponsor-provided burger, and swim back. Relying on raw speed and wasting no time chewing, Alex Taqueda took the win and a $3,000 prize, which ended up funding travel and support for the rest of their tour.
The trip also fostered close connections with veteran South American swimmers and coaches, such as legendary Argentine Claudio Plitt, strengthening ties among teams on a circuit that later headed to US stops, including the storied Atlantic City race.
Storm in Italy and a 25 km Podium
Another iconic chapter unfolded in Italy during races held around San Felice Circeo and the Island of Ponza, routes that served as tune-ups and test events for world competitions. Alongside Alex Taqueda and Ricardo Sato, Bizerra took on a 25 km race marked by extreme conditions.
Drafting off celebrated Australian swimmer Shelley, Taqueda braved rough seas in the dead of night. Through a brutal storm featuring towering waves and only glow sticks affixed to swim caps for escort boats to track them, the Brazilian athlete took 3rd place overall, edging out the Australian star herself and earning invites and prize purses for subsequent swims along the Italian coast.
Raw Acclimatization and the Sport's Foundation
To endure the freezing waters of North America and Europe without modern thermal gear or high-tech facilities, training relied on pure resilience. Preparation included regular workouts at Billings Reservoir and sessions in the unheated pool at Círculo Militar de São Paulo, conditioning the athletes to withstand cold shock.
Having also served as an official at major events—including the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and earlier exhibition races—Bizerra highlighted how the essence of open water swimming was forged in these rugged, grassroots experiences that paved the way for professionalization.
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