Sports
Open Water: Renato Ribeiro on Weather & Safety
On the Natação Stemma podcast, the coach discusses seasonality in ocean training and tough weather calls.
In an appearance on Natação Stemma, coach Renato Ribeiro explains how seasonality and sudden temperature drops impact open water routines in Rio de Janeiro. He explores weather forecasting, contingency planning, and why swimmer safety must always come first.
Training and organizing ocean events requires dealing with unpredictable factors. On episode #51 of the Natação Stemma podcast, coach Renato Ribeiro, founder of Equipe Navegantes, joined Samir Barel and Wanderley Santos to discuss how weather and seasonality directly shape open water routines, along with the decision-making process when conditions shift unexpectedly. While the full episode covers other milestones of his career, the conversation on safety and weather analysis provided practical takeaways for swimmers and race directors alike.
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The impact of winter and cold water on training
Along Rio de Janeiro's coast, seasonal shifts significantly impact attendance at beach workouts. According to Renato, winter and persistent rainy spells lead to a sharp decline in swimmer turnout. Coastal upwelling—which pushes icy currents from Cabo Frio and Arraial do Cabo toward Rio—can drop ocean temperatures to between 14 °C and 16 °C (57 °F–61 °F), cutting attendance by up to 70% during the most severe weeks.
While recreational and fitness swimmers tend to pause outdoor sessions or move indoors to pools during these stretches, competitive athletes maintain a consistent schedule, relying on wetsuits to sustain training volume even in severe cold.
Weather forecasting and contingency plans
Monitoring multiple weather models and satellite feeds is an essential daily routine for ocean coaches. Renato pointed out that forecasts are not always aligned: during a recent 80-swimmer event planned between Ipanema and Copacabana, only one satellite model predicted strong incoming winds, while five others forecasted calm seas. Faced with conflicting data, and after consulting with sailors and fellow coaches, organizers established a contingency plan in advance.
When the winds picked up on race day, the open crossing was called off and replaced with a sheltered loop inside the Posto 6 bay, doing laps toward the edge of Copacabana Fort. This adaptation ensured everyone could swim in a controlled environment, proving once again that safety always takes precedence over the original course.
Safety culture in open water
Reactions to race cancellations and course alterations often depend on an athlete's background. Experienced open water swimmers, surfers, anglers, and sailors readily understand that nature dictates the rules and that modifying or canceling a course protects physical safety. In contrast, athletes trained predominantly in indoor pools may struggle with last-minute changes, underestimating nature's inherent unpredictability.
Renato reiterated that race directors must uncompromisingly prioritize safety, regardless of short-term logistical frustrations or competitive expectations.
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