Patrícia Farias Combines 40 km Rio Negro Swim with Activism
As a Limpa Brasil ambassador, the ultramarathon swimmer embraces extreme challenges and champions water conservation.
To celebrate turning 40, ultramarathon swimmer Patrícia Farias took on a 40 km swim in the Rio Negro. The endurance athlete channeled her passion for open water into environmental activism alongside Limpa Brasil.
Reaching four decades in life calls for a milestone worthy of an open water journey. Turning 40 in 2021, ultramarathon swimmer Patrícia Farias decided to mark the occasion with an iconic feat: swimming 40 km across the Rio Negro in Manaus. To achieve her target, she completed the 30 km route of a local race starting from the pier and added an extra 10 km, navigating beneath the river's cable-stayed bridge. Her preparation involved an intense training regimen split between pool sessions in São Paulo at Companhia Atlética do Morumbi under coach Juma and open-water workouts guided by coach Renato Ribeiro.
Activism and the "Eu Nado Pelos Oceanos" Movement
Patrícia's relationship with long-distance swimming has always transcended stopwatch milestones. Inspired by previous water-conservation initiatives, she sought structured ways to turn her swimming strokes into environmental awareness. That ambition led her to partner with the organization Limpa Brasil. Invited by its director, Idelaine, Patrícia stepped into the role of organization ambassador and spearheaded the movement known as Eu nado pelos oceanos (I Swim for the Oceans), taking part in multiple socio-environmental outreach initiatives.
For the swimmer, sports act as a dynamic vehicle for purpose and real-world impact. Using the visibility generated by ultra-distance crossings to raise awareness about pollution and highlight the urgent need to protect rivers and oceans has become a cornerstone of her athletic identity.
Every Athlete Has Their Own Everest
The effortless manner in which Patrícia speaks about grueling events—such as the iconic Travessia 14 Bis, which she tackled in 2019 and later revisited—caught the attention of hosts Samir Barel and Wanderley Santos on Natação Stemma. For many open-water athletes, conquering the 24 km 14 Bis marks the crowning achievement of their athletic career—a true personal "Everest."
Their conversation highlighted that sports should never be measured against someone else's yardstick. Whether taking on a 10 km race on the Aquamundo circuit, toeing the start line at Fuga das Ilhas, or enduring a 40 km ultramarathon, every challenge holds unique significance. Coaching alongside Renato Ribeiro at Equipe Navegantes, Patrícia emphasizes that the secret to athletic longevity lies in honoring one's individual progress, steering clear of the pitfall of judging personal milestones by someone else's achievements.