Urla Swim Safari & The Chase
A Three-Day Open Water Progression
May 17–19, 2026 • Urla, İzmir
19th May National Holiday Special Edition
An elite open-water experience combining hiking to vehicle-inaccessible bays, technical refinement, and a final time-trial challenge against pursuit.
Hike remote coastline. Swim untouched bays. Hold your pace while the horizon moves behind you.
Urla Swim Safari & The Chase
Urla Swim Safari is a three-day structured open-water progression designed to build technical awareness, environmental adaptation, and performance stability in real sea conditions.
Each day builds toward the final stage — The Chase — through technical analysis, coastal exploration, and progressively longer open-water exposure.
The experience culminates on Day 3 with The Chase — a continuous one-hour open-water swim performed under escort and pursuit conditions.
Every stage is escorted and observed, ensuring safety while allowing you to develop control, pacing awareness, and open-water confidence.
Three-Day Progression
Over three consecutive days, swimmers progress from technical analysis to coastal exploration, culminating in The Chase — a continuous open-water performance swim.
Technical Analysis
(For new participants)
Underwater and surface video analysis establish technical awareness in real open-water conditions.
Stroke efficiency, balance, and pacing control are refined to prepare for longer open-water exposure in the following days.
This stage builds the technical foundation for the progression ahead.
Coastal Exploration Swim
(Sunday, May 17)
RunToSwim Alumni join the program starting from this stage.
Continuous Performance:
A single-entry, maximum 3 km continuous coastal swim tracing the natural contours of Urla’s vehicle-inaccessible bays.
Tactical Warm-up:
This session is designed to establish stroke rhythm and test environmental boundaries without inducing fatigue, ensuring peak physical condition for the finale.
Environmental Adaptation:
Swimmers navigate untouched shorelines under escort supervision to build the technical composure and mental focus required for The Chase.
The Chase
(Monday, May 18)
Peak Performance Trial:
A continuous, 60-minute open-water swim that serves as the final assessment of your technical efficiency and mental stamina.
Strategic Monday Shift:
Specifically scheduled for Monday morning to capitalize on optimal sea conditions and absolute minimal vessel traffic, ensuring a pristine and uninterrupted water environment.
Pure Water Focus:
This stage is exclusively water-based; there is no hiking or land transition. It is a dedicated performance session from entry to recovery.
The Pursuit Mechanic:
A pursuit boat tracks the group from behind, providing a controlled yet challenging environment that demands consistent pace, form stability, and composure.
Onboard Recovery:
Upon completion, swimmers transition directly to the escort vessel for recovery, hydration, and a tactical debrief while returning to port.
The Environment
Urla’s coastline provides an ideal environment for multi-day open-water progression, combining protected swim corridors, exposed coastal segments, and clear visual reference points.
Water temperature in May typically ranges between 19°C and 22°C.
Protected Coastal Structure
Natural bays and coastal formations create protected swim corridors, allowing controlled exposure to open-water conditions without unnecessary environmental risk.
Visual Navigation Clarity
The coastline remains visible throughout most swim segments, supporting orientation, pacing stability, and psychological control during longer efforts.
Progressive Exposure
Swim routes are structured to gradually increase exposure over multiple days, allowing swimmers to adapt physically and mentally before The Chase.
Escort-Supported Safety
Escort canoe and boat supervision provide continuous safety coverage during exploration swims and full escort during The Chase.
Registration
Secure your place in the three-day Urla Swim Safari progression, culminating in The Chase.
Urla Swim Safari & The Chase
12.500 TL
Standard Registration
Standart Registration includes all three progression days and The Chase final stage.
10.000 TL for RunToSwim alumni
The alumni program begins Sunday morning (Technical Analysis session is excluded).
Accommodation and meals are not included.
Enter The Chase
The sea does not wait. Neither should you.
Urla Swim Safari & The Chase is limited by safety structure, escort capacity, and operational control — not by demand. Once capacity is reached, registration closes.
The Chase is performed on Monday, May 18th as a continuous open-water performance swim.
Exploration and technical preparation take place during the first two days.