Masters swimmers make waves in Protaras as inaugural European Aquatics Masters Open Water Swimming Tour gets underway

Europe’s best masters open water swimmers closed out a dramatic weekend in Protaras in style, with a full programme of age-group racing going ahead following a spate of difficult conditions that forced the cancellation of the elite race the previous day.

The Special Olympics 800m race had to be moved to the pool on the Saturday following with, alongside the elite race, was unable to take place in the open water due to a significant swell impacting the shoreline, preventing boats from entering the water to prepare the course.

Held over three laps totalling 3km on the Sunday morning, the masters event brought together 62 men and 36 women who eventually took part in the competition, and there was a great, kind-spirited feeling in the air as the first leg of the inaugural European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Masters Tour began.

There was no shortage of quality at the front as the men’s race began, with Greece’s Dimitrios Gkotzias set the fastest time of the day in what was a tight race with a number of athletes charging intop the funnel, as he also took the gold medal in the men’s 35–39 category in 37:12.78.

He was closely matched by Norway’s Håkon Skaarud Karlsen (45–49) in 37:13.81 and Italy’s Simone Di Sabato (50–54) in 37:15.64, with several age-group winners finishing within seconds of each other on what was a solid morning of racing.

Italy’s Riccardo Tigli led the 40–44 category in 38:11.17, while Germany’s Maximilian Hils took the 25–29 title in 38:49.85 ahead of Great Britain’s Ross Neally. Cyprus also celebrated a home winner through Orphe Vasiloudes Bayadas, who claimed the 20–24 category.

The older age groups saw strong British involvement. Martin Foster won the 60–64 category, with Mark Robertson also on the podium for bronze, just behind Lithuania’s Vaidotas Gumbis. Alan Parkins (65–69), Stuart McLellan (75–79) and Michael Read (85–89) all added further wins for Great Britain, with Josep Farre Ganduxe (Spain, 80-84), Sverre Kile (Norway, 70-74) and Norbert Nagl (Austria, 55-59) all also taking gold medals in their respective age groups.

Many of the athletes were keen to talk following the race and presentations.

“It was so very good, because the water was very calm, transparent and the buoys were very nice for orientation so I honestly think this is the best (race venue) in the world,” said Francisco Barros (POR), who placed fifth in the men’s 50-54 age-group when speaking to Nick Hope following the race.

“It was fun, fresh and blew the cobwebs out at the start of the season,” said men’s 60-64 category gold medallist Foster

His compatriot Robertson added; “the conditions were perfect and I don’t think it could have been any better with hardly any breeze and I really think even people should sign up for next year because it’s lovely.”

In the women’s races, Brazil’s Marina Amorim posted one of the quickest times overall, taking the 25–29 title in 40:55.01, which saw her comfortably ahead of the chasing pack. Cyprus’ Eleni Pratsi followed with victory in the 30–34 category in a similarly commanding swim for her age group, with each athlete giving it their all in much better conditions than the day before.

Italy’s Irene Guzzonato (35–39) and Spain’s Sabina Martinez (40–44) both took victories, with the latter in a tightly contested finish with compatriot Maria Carbonell, while Spain’s Marta Vila Fortuny added another title in the 50–54 category. Romania’s Iulia Gusoiu (45–49) and Germany’s Britta Schlageter (55–59) also topped their respective podiums.

Catherine Munro (Great Britain. 60-64) and Dymphna Morris (Ireland, 65-69) rounded off the age-group champions as the event drew to a close.

“It was new, enjoyable and I feel accomplished because I finished, so I’m very happy,” said women’s 30-34 category silver medallist Carly Fraser (GBR).

“The scenery here is amazing, the water is super clean, clear, you can see the fish and a few jellyfish, but it’s wonderful,” said women’s 35-39 age-group silver medallist Jana Gareis (GER).

The Masters 3km races offered a solid start to the new tour, with a broad mix of nationalities and age groups represented. Even with the wider event programme disrupted, the racing in Protaras showed the depth and consistency that continues to define Masters open water swimming with three legs to come in 2026.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics

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