Grupo Tchê Travessias closes 2025 on a high note in open water swimming in Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil

 

Active for seven years, Grupo Tchê Travessias has established itself as one of the leading collaborative initiatives in open water aquatic sports in Rio Grande do Sul. Throughout 2025, the group recorded significant growth in athlete participation and engagement in sustainable sports practices, currently bringing together approximately 285 swimmers and paddlers.

Dedicated to organizing open water swimming meetups, as well as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) activities, Tchê Travessias uses a WhatsApp group to schedule and coordinate crossings, promoting integration, safety, and the exchange of experiences among participants.

Lake Guaíba, at Praça José Comunale in the Belém Novo neighborhood of Porto Alegre, has become the group’s main meeting point and a reference location for carrying out activities.

Initially created with the goal of leisure and the promotion of physical and mental health, the group expanded its scope over the years and adopted environmental preservation as one of its core principles. Raising awareness about caring for rivers, lakes, and seas is part of the Tchê Travessias culture, reinforcing the environmental responsibility associated with practicing sports in natural settings.

More information about the group, activity schedules, and initiatives can be found on Instagram: instagram.com/francisswim.

Text and photo: Soraya Siviero

Porto Alegre to Host the 4th Edition of the “Desafio da Ilha do Presídio,” Uniting Sports, Environment, and Social Action on Lake Guaíba

 

Porto Alegre, RS – Brazil  — On Sunday, December 7, 2025, Ilha do Presídio, located on Lake Guaíba, will once again serve as the stage for an initiative that combines sports, environmental preservation, and community engagement. The fourth edition of the socio-environmental event “Desafio da Ilha do Presídio” will bring together 25 swimmers and approximately 30 scouts for a morning of activities including island cleanup, environmental awareness actions, and an open water swimming event.

Organized by the Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais Project, the event reinforces the ongoing commitment to the recovery and revitalization of Ilha do Presídio — a site marked by historical significance and environmental challenges. Following the cleanup effort, participants will take on a 4.0-km open water course, starting and finishing at the Clube dos Jangadeiros.

The event is part of the Porto Alegre Nautical Circuit, supported by the Municipal Tourism Department.

At 11:30 a.m., a Special Ceremony will be conducted by the Brazilian Navy, featuring the traditional Floral Tribute at the bust of Admiral Tamandaré and a performance by the Brazilian Navy Band. The ceremony will highlight the spirit of cooperation, respect, and camaraderie among institutions, volunteers, and athletes.

The initiative is part of a series of socio-environmental actions known as the “Escape from Ilha do Presídio,” now a consolidated tradition in the Lake Guaíba calendar. The fifth edition is confirmed for December 2026, during Sailor’s Week, once again with the support of the Brazilian Navy.

About the Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais Project
The project promotes sports and socio-environmental events that foster sustainable tourism, the preservation of aquatic ecosystems, and the conscious use of natural spaces through swimming, rowing, and volunteer activities.

The event is organized by Raia Sul Swimming School and the Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais Project, with support from Clube dos Jangadeiros, the Brazilian Navy, and Nautix Hub Nautical Events.

Florianópolis Welcomes the Associação Aquática das Hortênsias Team for an Open Water Swimming Stage

 

Florianópolis, one of Brazil’s most sought-after tourist destinations, hosted the team from the Associação Aquática das Hortênsias on November 29 and 30 for another stage of the Open Water Swimming circuit. A total of 17 athletes competed in ocean races that demanded technical skill, endurance, and high performance.

The team’s participation highlighted the role of swimming as a bridge between different generations and athletic backgrounds, reinforcing the representation of the Região das Hortênsias, renowned for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and tourism relevance in Rio Grande do Sul.

Participating athletes:
Antonella Mafra, Benjamin Hickel, Cristiano Hickel, Daniela Carvalho, Helena de Oliveira, Helenara Fão, Liziane Diehl, Mariana Butzen, Ligia Hilário, Inácio Vogt, José Joner, Kevin Seidel, Lara Braun, Laura de Oliveira, Manoela de Oliveira, Marcela Giachini, Nicolas Bortoncello, Renata da Silva, Rogério Luce Chaves, Rui Pflug, Stella de Souza, and Victória Weber.
Technical coordination was led by coach Magda Cabral.

With a well-established tradition in open water swimming events, Florianópolis continues to strengthen its role as a sports and tourism reference in southern Brazil.

This initiative is part of the Nadando Pelos Cartões Postais Project, which promotes environmental and social actions, encourages tourism, and fosters sustainable practices, bringing communities together and valuing natural landscapes in each destination visited.

For more information and full coverage, visit: francisswim.com.br.

Photo credit: Associação Aquática das Hortênsias