Sports
Renato Ribeiro: Pioneer of Brazil's Open Water Marathon Swims
The coach reflects on founding LPSA, BISA, and ROSA, and details the new 25 km Guanabara Bay crossing.
As the co-founder of historic Brazilian open water swimming projects, Renato Ribeiro shares the origins of LPSA, BISA, and ROSA. He also takes us behind the scenes of the newly launched 25 km Guanabara Bay crossing.
In the world of Brazilian marathon swimming, Renato Ribeiro is directly tied to iconic routes that redefined the sport's boundaries across the country. Head coach and founder of Equipe Navegantes, Renato's resume includes co-founding the premier solo and relay open water swim associations along the Rio de Janeiro coast—projects designed to turn Brazil's natural coastal geography into organized sporting challenges.
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From LPSA's Origins to Expansion on Ilha Grande
The creation of the LPSA (Leme to Pontal Swimming Association) arose during English Channel training sessions with marathon swimmer Adherbal de Oliveira. Inspired by Luiz Lima's pioneering crossing, Renato and Adherbal used the 36 km route from Leme to Pontal as their final major physical test. Shortly after, Patrícia Farias became the first woman to complete the route while training for the historic Capri-Naples swim. With the course validated and a logo sketched on paper at Renato's home, the association was officially established.
His exploratory drive soon led Renato to Rio's southern coast, where he partnered with swimmer and entrepreneur Fábio Riguetti to launch BISA (Big Island Swimming Association). Following an initial trial with eight Navegantes swimmers circumnavigating Ilha Grande in pairs, the organization designed challenges spanning 16 km, 37 km, 48 km, a full circumnavigation, and the 25 km 'Fuga da Ilha Grande' (from Lopes Mendes to Porto Galo). After five years actively managing swim windows in the region, Renato handed over full operations of BISA to Fábio to balance family life and focus on projects closer to Rio's capital.
The Founding of ROSA and the Cagarras Archipelago Connection
Logistical proximity paved the way for the creation of ROSA (Rio Open Water Swim Association), once again alongside Fábio Riguetti. Based in Rio's South Zone, the association ratifies two courses around the Cagarras Archipelago, both starting and finishing at Copacabana's historic Posto 6: a 12 km route around the main island and a 23 km course circumnavigating the entire archipelago.
Travessia da Guanabara: 25 km of History and Environmental Recovery
Renato Ribeiro's latest venture brings open water marathon swimming into the heart of Guanabara Bay. Inspired by improving water quality along several stretches and marine monitoring reports documenting the return of seahorses, stingrays, and Guiana dolphins, the coach mapped out a 25 km route connecting Urca to Paquetá Island.
Featuring an inaugural swim and documentary led by Patrícia Farias, the Travessia da Guanabara accommodates both solo swimmers and relays (duos, trios, or quads with hourly swimmer rotations). The scenic course passes iconic landmarks across Rio and Niterói, including colonial fortresses at the bay's entrance, Botafogo Cove, Flamengo and Glória beaches, the Naval School, Fiscal Island, and a crossing beneath the Rio-Niterói Bridge before finishing at Paquetá.
Technical operations and safety escorts are provided by the Odoia Boat, an 18-foot catamaran powerboat equipped with twin 60 hp engines and a freshwater tank. Piloted by Renato, the vessel guides crossings, supports marathon simulation training, and enables open water stroke analysis for coaches and athletes nationwide.
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