Prova da Barragem da Queimadela - 10ª Edição

August in the northern Portuguese mountains brings fresh, manageable temperatures to the Queimadela reservoir, where swimmers encounter calm, inland water conditions far removed from the unpredictability of the Atlantic coast. This artificial basin, formed in the 1990s by damming the Vizela River, provides a stable, predictable field of play for the 500m, 1000m, and 3500m distances. Because the lake is fed by high-altitude mountain springs originating at 894 meters in the Serra do Maroiço, the water retains a refreshing, crisp quality even under the mid-summer sun. Swimmers here face minimal surface chop, allowing for a clean, consistent stroke cycle that contrasts sharply with the technical demands of ocean racing—such as the conditions found at the Goma open water meeting, which sits just a day apart on the regional calendar.

A landscape of history

As you navigate the course from the dam's waterfall toward the picnic park, the horizon is dominated by the rugged silhouettes of the Serra de Fafe. It is impossible to ignore the geological presence of the Casa do Penedo, an architectural marvel wedged between massive boulders that watches over the valley. The region’s deep roots are visible beneath the surface and along the banks; only a short distance from the city center lies the Santo Ovidio hillfort, a settlement that has held human activity for over three millennia, bridging Celtic and Roman eras. These echoes of antiquity provide a silent backdrop to the competitive spirit of the event, which is organized by the Associação de Natação do Norte de Portugal to foster excellence in the discipline. This commitment to the sport is exemplified by local figures like Diana Durães, whose national records in freestyle distances from 200m to 5000m serve as a benchmark for the talent emerging from the Fafe area. Whether you are tackling the full 3500m or the shorter sprint, the experience is defined by this blend of high-altitude tranquility and the long, storied history of the surrounding hills.