Open Water – How to Fulfill a Swimmer's Dream?
The scent of the beach, the sound of waves, cold water, and limitless space... the perfect conditions for swimming! But not just for swimming—also for planning incredible swimming adventures and initiatives aimed at helping others. Inspired by the Baltic Sea, Piotr Biankowski and Aleksandra Kabelis are pursuing their swimming passions—and so much more...
Find Your Motivation to Swim!
What motivated you to take on the challenge of swimming the Catalina Channel?
Ola: Last year’s crossing from Gdynia to Hel (18.9 km in 5 hours 45 minutes) opened my eyes to long-distance swimming. In the meantime, I also supported Piotr during his crossings of Loch Ness and around Manhattan. That’s when I felt the urge to jump in the water myself and take on an even more demanding stretch. I dedicated 2023 to fulfilling my dreams in open-water swimming, and beyond the charitable aspect, my main motivation was to test my body’s limits.
Piotr: It was a clear decision that in 2023, I would attempt to swim the Catalina Channel. After swimming the English Channel (2021) and completing the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (2022), I wanted to take on this route to earn the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
Create a Plan
How does it happen? Do you wake up one day with the idea of swimming across some spectacular body of water? Or is it a long-term plan that ends with… well, what exactly?
Ola: The biggest reward after such a crossing is definitely the satisfaction of a job well done. Entering the water and taking on the challenge is like the cherry on top after months of training, preparation, and logistics.
Piotr: For me, it took some time before I started swimming long distances. After crossing the Gdynia–Hel and Gdańsk–Hel routes, I wanted to try something more challenging. I immediately set my sights on the English Channel and worked towards that goal. As for the plan, there’s always a plan. There are so many bodies of water to conquer that the planning is definitely long-term. At the end of the plan, there’s always an attempt to swim, and that’s how it all unfolds. For me, it always ends with analyzing and comparing the different waters I’ve encountered.
Start Training
Alright, the decision has been made. How much time and what kind of training is needed to swim the Catalina Channel? Ola, you swam for 18 hours, and Piotr, you swam for 12 hours... How many pool laps do you need to swim in a year to be in such shape?
Ola: The time spent on preparation depends primarily on the possibilities we have—in the case of Catalina, we had to balance training with professional work, private life, and other obligations. In the meantime, we also organized our favorite winter swimming competition, GWSC. When you add 8–10 training sessions per week to all that, the saying "there aren’t enough hours in the day" becomes a life mantra [smiles]. In my opinion, it’s not the number of pool laps but the consistency of training that makes the biggest difference. We began preparations for Catalina after receiving a positive response from the CCSF with the scheduled date at the end of October/November 2022.
Piotr: Everything has to be adjusted to daily life—training, work, home, and recovery. We train as much as we can manage. It’s crucial not to overtrain and to find time for rest. How many pool laps are needed? As many as possible! You need a structured plan. There’s no time for days off. The challenge is to combine everything seamlessly.
Be Ready for Anything
Swimming is not just about the body; it’s also about the mind. How do you prepare mentally for such prolonged effort, difficulties, pain, and the unpredictable?
Ola: I’m not sure if it’s possible to fully prepare for what awaits during a multi-hour crossing, especially one where you spend nine hours in complete darkness [laughs]. For me, most of the mental work happened during training, especially the tough, multi-hour sessions where I had to train my mind in the pool. As an additional test of strength and mental resilience before the Catalina Channel, on June 30, 2023, we swam across Windermere, the largest lake in England. That turned out to be a good idea—we tried to beat an approaching storm (unsuccessfully), and we ended up battling waves, wind, and currents for nearly the entire route.
Piotr: You have to understand that water is an element of nature. During such crossings, there’s always an element of surprise. From experience, I can already say that every crossing brings different conditions, and the mental aspect is crucial. I think my training as a youth translates well into long-distance swimming because I approach it task by task and know how to stay focused. I’m aware that during the swim, it will be dark, my muscles will hurt, and the shore will be far away—and I have to deal with all of that. For me, it helps to switch to autopilot during the swim, which makes the time go by faster and much more pleasantly [laughs]. I’m here because this was my dream.
Find Extra Motivation
Swimming helps others... but does swimming also help you? What do daily training sessions give you? What about crossing a body of water like Catalina? And how does engaging in charitable actions impact you?
Ola: Regular training means peace of mind and the satisfaction of a job well done. Attempting to cross such a large body of water is primarily about adrenaline and testing your limits in extreme situations. As for the charitable efforts aimed at promoting the Ronald McDonald Foundation – that’s a motivator that drives action and gives strength in moments of doubt.
Piotr: Morning training sessions help start the day on a great note and teach discipline. New bodies of water bring new experiences, the opportunity to meet new people, and explore new places. Charitable actions are a huge motivator. I’m proud to be an Ambassador for the Ronald McDonald Foundation. It allows me to combine my passion with doing good.
Set Ambitious Goals
After every accomplishment comes a time for reflection – what’s next, what now, why, and for what purpose... So, what’s next?
Ola: Less than a month has passed since the crossing, so I’m giving myself a little more time to rest. After nearly 18 hours of swimming, I want to start missing the water before jumping back into the pool for training. What’s next? Definitely the winter season and organizing competitions. Piotr and I are planning new locations (winter swimming competitions in Puck) beyond Gdynia and GWSC. We’re also waiting for the date for the Gibraltar Strait crossing to be set. The rest is still under analysis and planning.
Piotr: After every crossing, there’s time for summaries, reflection, analysis, and joy. Every swim is a different chapter of life, and that diversity sparks curiosity about what’s next. Sometimes, during the swim itself, I start forming new plans and can’t wait for the next dive into the water. We still have to wait a bit for the Gibraltar Strait, so maybe Lake Tahoe, maybe the North Channel, or perhaps the Tsugaru Strait? We’ll find out in the coming months.
How to Fulfill a Swimming Dream?
If you were to advise someone like "Maciek," who admires and envies such achievements and would like to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give?
Note: This advice is directed at individuals who can comfortably swim 3 km in one hour without feeling fatigued and are ready to take on a bigger goal.
How to Choose a Goal
The goal is very personal and should be tailored to the swimmer. For some, the first step might be competing in open-water races, while for others, it could be completing a specific route. Always choose wisely and realistically assess your skills. It’s also worth consulting with a more experienced swimmer who has already completed similar challenges.
What Distance to Start With
If you dream of starting your open-water adventure, the best option is the Polish classic: the Gdynia–Hel route. Get in touch with us – we’ll help you achieve this dream! [smiles]
How to Prepare Your Body
Through systematic, varied training tailored to the distance you’re preparing for – ideally after consulting with and under the guidance of an experienced coach.
How to Prepare Your Mind
There’s no golden rule; it will be different for everyone. Much can be worked out during the preparation phase, as training sessions, moments of doubt, and fatigue help shape your mindset.
Is It Better to Train in a Group or Alone?
In our opinion, in a group! While everyone is different, group training tends to be more motivating.
How to Prepare Logistically
Travel logistics are crucial and require the most time and attention. It’s best to start several months in advance—plan flights, transfers, time zones, accommodations... Don’t leave anything until the last minute!
What to Fear and What Not To
Fear is normal and inevitable. You need to be aware of this—open-water swimming is all about confronting the elements.
What to Do When Doubt Arises During Preparation
There will be many doubts, but the preparation period is the time to learn how to overcome them.
What to Do When Doubt Strikes During the Swim
Remember why you’re here, how much time you’ve invested in training, and listen to your support team. [smiles]
How to Celebrate Success and Accept Failure
Success lies in the very act of attempting—getting into the water is an achievement in itself. The journey toward open-water dreams can consist of many successes and failures. The key is to remain consistent.
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Interview by: Maciej Mazerant / Editor-in-Chief, AQUA SPEED Magazine
Photos courtesy of: Piotr Biankowski and Aleksandra Kabelis
