Copa Brasil de Águas Abertas — Brasília (setembro)

The morning air in Brasília carries a distinctive crispness as swimmers begin to gather along the shores of Lake Paranoá. By the time the organizers from the Confederation of Aquatic Sports initiate the briefing, the lake surface is typically a mirror, undisturbed by the winds that pick up later in the day. This reservoir, spanning 48 square kilometers, was a deliberate piece of civil engineering designed to temper the arid climate of the central plateau. For those competing in the 1500m, 2500m, or 4000m events, the water serves as a unique medium where the modern architecture of the city meets the remnants of its construction history.

Submerged history and vision

Beneath the buoy lines lies the site of Vila Amaury, a settlement once inhabited by the thousands of workers who built the capital. When the damming of the Paranoá River began in 1959, the village was intentionally left to be reclaimed by the rising waters. Swimming over this area, one realizes that the lake floor is not merely geological; it holds the foundations of the city’s origins. This intersection of human endeavor and nature aligns with the local connection to the prophecy of Saint John Bosco. In 1883, the Italian priest envisioned a prosperous city rising near a lake between the 15th and 20th parallels. Today, the swimmers trace lines through the same water that defines the horizon of the capital, often with the modernist silhouette of the Presidential residence visible in the distance.

Navigating the Paranoá

While the lake is known for its depth, reaching 38 meters at the dam, the race environment is strictly monitored for safety. The organizers enforce rigorous protocols, a standard practice since the 2011 incident involving a vessel sinking in 17 meters of water, which reshaped how the local authorities manage nautical traffic during public events. Participants might encounter local fauna such as the neotropic cormorant or, occasionally, a capybara near the banks, though the resident jacaretinga typically keeps its distance from human activity. The water temperature in September remains stable, providing a predictable environment for both the shorter sprints and the longer 4000m endurance challenges. For those building their season, the race calendar offers various opportunities, such as the Copa Brasil AA in May, which presents a different seasonal variation of these same waters.