What is the Great Adriatic Swim Challenge?

The Great Adriatic Swim Challenge (GASC) is one of Europe’s premier open water swim challenges. The annual event is scheduled for the month of August and consists of a 10 km swim along Adriatic Sea. The race starts from the shore of scenic coastal city Izola. The course extends southwestward through Strunjan and finishes at a small beach on the coast of the historic city of Piran.

Who does it benefit?

The GASC is a charitable fundraiser directly connected to HOPE worldwide Ukraine in order to help a Children’s Cancer Hospital, the afflicted children, and their families.

Who can participate?

The GASC requires a major commitment to proper training and open water experience. To be accepted, applicants must submit documentation that they have either completed a recent open water event or completed a 5 km pool swim in under 2h 20min. Successfully completing the event is a great once in a lifetime achievement. To increase safety, wetsuits are allowed and encouraged (the GASC is not a Slovenian Masters Swimming event).

Is it dangerous?

Among the difficulties that may be encountered during the average 5 hours swim are failing arms and legs during the swim, cross currents, swells, chop, hypothermia if the water is cold, and rocks surrounding the shore area. We will be taking care of our swimmers and doing our utmost to provide for their safety including safety boats and an on-site medical response team. However, due to the nature of the event, swimmers should be prepared to encounter any of the above obstacles.

How does it affect the race?

As a result, the majority of starters will finish the race. We do expect that a small percentage of swimmers will conclude the race before the finishing line.