Traversée de Sète à la nage (Trophée Jo Candela)

As you glide through the sheltered waters of the city canals, your rhythmic stroke is punctuated by the sight of the Mont Saint-Clair lighthouse standing sentinel on the hill above. This navigational beacon, built at the turn of the 20th century, remains the most distinctive landmark for swimmers navigating the port. Below you, the water often reveals the movement of the Etang de Thau seagrass meadows, where Zostera species create dense, protected underwater fields essential to the local ecosystem. These channels carry the weight of history; you are swimming through the same maritime arteries that once hosted the departure of the SS President Warfield, which set sail in 1947 carrying thousands of survivors toward a new future.

Race day logistics

Organized by La Palme Sétoise and L’Odyssée de Sète, the 55th edition of the Traversée de Sète de Nage avec Palmes invites competitors to tackle distances ranging from 950m to 6000m. The event, scheduled for April 26, 2026, requires a swift pace to navigate the harbor efficiently, with registration fees set at 18€ for FFESSM members and 22€ for non-members. This race serves as a crucial selection trial for the French Long Distance Championship, drawing a field capped at 250 participants. While you power through the water, you might catch a glimpse of the slopes where the Marine Cemetery sits, or recall that this city—often called 'l'île singulière'—has long been tied to the legacy of the Saint Louis festival. Those eager for further aquatic challenges in the region may also look toward the Thau Swim Trek held in May, or the 105th Traversée de Sète scheduled for late August. Every swimmer must manage their own hydration and pacing within the canal system, ensuring they touch the arrival plate under the floating gantry to secure their official time.