II CNB Swim

The CNB Swim 2026 covers a 3.2-kilometer distance in the waters of the Mediterranean, scheduled for April 20, 2026. Organized by Club Natació Barcelona and Radikal Swim, this event utilizes the Playa de Sant Sebastià as its base, with the start and finish lines positioned directly at the club's facilities. Registration fees range from 35 to 40 EUR, including an official cap, chip timing, and access to a post-race meal, specifically an 'arrozada' served on-site. The time limit for the course is set at two hours.

Historical currents and landmarks

Swimming along the Barcelona coastline provides a vantage point for significant maritime history. As you navigate the course, you pass near the area where the Ictíneo II was launched in 1864, a vessel that remains a pivotal point in the development of combustion-powered submarine navigation. Further along the line of sight stands the Torre del Rellotge, constructed in 1772. Originally serving as a lighthouse, this tower later provided the precise coordinates used by French scientists in 1791 to define the standard length of the meter. The city’s foundations themselves are tied to the sea through the myth of the 'Barca Nona', a vessel said to have wrecked near Montjuïc, marking the site where Hercules reportedly established the settlement. While traversing these waters, swimmers should be aware that the seabed history is tangible; in 2019, a 70-kilogram unexploded bomb from the Spanish Civil War was recovered just off this beach, requiring a temporary closure of the area. Participants should also note the local geography, as the neighborhood of La Barceloneta occupies land that was once the island of Maians, only connecting to the mainland after harbor breakwaters altered local sediment flows in the 18th century. Those looking to test their endurance later in the season might consider the 16th Radikal Ocean52, which offers a different setting in Llafranc, while the Challenge Barcelona Triathlon provides an alternative open water experience in the same city later in October.