82a TRAVESSIA DE L'ESTANY DE BANYOLES

On September 20th, the Lake of Banyoles welcomes swimmers for the 82nd edition of its historic crossing. As a tectonic and karstic depression formed 250,000 years ago, this water body is fed primarily by underground aquifers from the Alta Garrocha, maintaining a stable, calm temperament that stands in stark contrast to the open sea. There are no tides to navigate here, and the surface remains remarkably predictable, allowing you to focus entirely on your stroke pace. The water temperature in late September is generally comfortable for endurance efforts, though it remains a freshwater experience that demands a steady rhythm across the 2,115-meter main course.

A landscape of history and legends

Navigating this course is a journey through layers of human and mythical time. As you move across the surface, you are effectively swimming over the remains of La Draga, a 7,000-year-old Neolithic settlement. While the ancient oak posts of the original huts are now submerged, they anchor the lake’s eastern shore in deep antiquity. The area’s history is not solely ancient; locals and long-time participants still recall the 1998 tragedy of the L'Oca boat, a somber chapter that remains part of the lake’s collective memory. Beyond the physical history, the water is steeped in folklore, with generations of residents sharing tales of the 'Banyoles monster', a mythical creature said to inhabit the depths—a playful reminder to keep your eyes on the buoys rather than the bottom.

A legacy of endurance

This event is more than a race; it is a display of technical versatility. The lake has served as a proving ground for elite endurance, most notably immortalized by the butterfly record set by professional swimmer Daniel Marco Ramírez, a feat that showcases the specific demands this venue places on those who push their limits. Whether you are competing in the 400m 'Petits' or the full 2,115m general crossing, you are participating in a tradition that spans over eight decades. Conservation remains a core value here, with the lake serving as the exclusive refuge for the rare *Unio ravoisieri* freshwater mussel, a species that thrives in these protected, clear waters. Participants receive a commemorative magnet as a souvenir of their journey, a small token for completing a swim that connects the modern athlete to the enduring currents of the Pla de l'Estany region.

Three children and fifteen adults

A first attempt inside the Club Natació Banyoles failed in 1929; the crossing finally happened on 17 September 1944, with three young swimmers and fifteen adults, and Felip Sánchez Babot first across in 36 minutes and 46 seconds. Women joined the second edition, in 1945, won by Carme Ponsatí. Only the pandemic year 2020 is missing from the sequence. Each year an artist designs the poster, swimmers joke about the lake's legendary dragon, and around two thousand of them cross the water that hosted the Olympic rowing of 1992.