Simon Griffiths
Cap de Creus is mainland Spain’s most easterly point and the starting place for Marnaton’s beautiful Cadaqués swim. Heading south from the Cap, before you reach the picturesque natural harbour of Cadaqués, you pass Port Lligat, where Salvador Dalí lived for 50 years. Making the most of his easterly location, Dalí installed a mirror in his bedroom angled so that the rising sun would be reflected into his bed, so he could claim to be the first person in Spain to see the rising sun each day.
The swim follows the rugged Costa Brava coastline. It’s the type of swim that once you’ve raced you will want to repeat more slowly in order to savour the details: the hundreds of fish darting below you, their scales flashing in the sunlight; the rocks with their sea anemones and strange looking plants; the jumbled, twisted rocks that make up the coastline.
The event takes place in mid- September each year, at the tail end of the tourist season. The weather is usually still mild and the water, in the high teens or low 20s, is warm enough for those who want to swim without wetsuits but not too hot for wearing one if that’s your preference. As with most races in Spain, the majority opt for neoprene. As well as the full 6.5km option there are shorter distance swims of 4km and 2.5km. The event is popular, attracting around 1500 swimmers in total with abou 600 doing the full distance. This is the maximum number permitted because of pressures more people would put on a protected natural environment. Consequently, the event sells out most years, so apply early if you want a place.
ONCE