Swim GP 2025: How to integrate it into your IRONMAN preparation

If you are training for a HOMBRE DE HIERRO or a middle-distance race in 2025, participating in a swim is a realistic and powerful way to test yourself before the big day.

Thats why he Swim GP, which will be disputed 19 & 20 of July in the Portuguese city of CascaisIt is a great option.

This test is ideal not only because it's a spectacular journey, but because it can become a unique opportunity to train with real competition sensations over your target distance.

You'll be able to see how your body (and your mind) reacts to real-life race conditions: waves, orientation, non-stop swimming, crowds at the start... everything you can't get from the pool.

That's why, in this article, we'll tell you how to get the most out of the Swim GP if you're preparing for a medium- or long-distance triathlon.

The perfect timing of the calendar

July is usually the key transition month between the heavy spring load and the competition peaks that arrive between August and October: Portugal, Vitoria, Kalmar, Hamburg, Cozumel, Nice…

The Swim GP falls right in that sweet spot:

• Not too late (so as not to risk overload)

• Not too soon (still with room to adjust details)

Think of it as a competitive open water drill. Perfect for measuring sensations without pressure.

Simulate what you will experience in your IRONMAN

There are things you only experience during a real swim with hundreds of other swimmers. And yes, it doesn't matter how many thousands of meters you've been in the pool... the sea changes the rules for you.

When swimming the Swim GP, you will be working on:

• Exit strategy (position, intensity, breathing)

• Visual orientation (buoys, waves, sun in your face, etc.)

• Useful bilateral breathing

• Tolerance to physical contact

• Reference-free rhythm control

This is exactly what you'll experience during your IRONMAN test.

What distance should you choose according to your goal?

One of the advantages of the Swim GP is that you have several distances. Choose according to your planning:

• 3,8 km: if you go full throttle and want an exact test

• 1,9 km: if you are tuning for MD or want a fatigue-free boost

• 1 km: soft option if you are in recovery week or are going to accompany someone

It's not just physical: it's mental too

A journey like this forces you to leave your comfort zone: There are no black lines, no wall every 25 m, and no excuses to stop.

It is an ideal environment for training:

• Your ability to sustain concentration

• Stress management

• Recognizing your negative thoughts (yes, we all have them)

• Controlling your effort without relying on a watch every 100 meters

That mental work can be worth more than a thousand pool laps.

Metrics, learnings and real feedback

Don't focus solely on the finish time. If you wear a GPS watch or a FORM-type sensor, you can gain valuable information:

• Pace per 500 m/km

• Stroke cadence

• Time on each buoy turn

• Perceived sensation vs. objective data

And beyond the numbers, he reflects:

• How did you sleep last night?

• What did you eat and how did you tolerate it?

• How did you react to the stress of the race?

• Did you miss anything in the material?

all that is real feedback for your IRONMAN.

Open enrollment

Swim GP 2025 is much more than a journey: It's your best practice run before the big challenge. An open-sea experience, with realistic conditions, in a spectacular setting, and with top-notch logistics.

The appointment is July 19 and 20 in Cascais and registration is still open at the Official Site 

Do you dare to swim it?