Santorini Experience Open Water Swimming

Location: Volcano - Old Port of Fira

The distance of “Santorini Experience” is 1.5 miles or 2.4 km

Start/ Finish
The starting line will be in the water in the harbor of the volcano. The finish line will be at the pier of the old port of Fira in specially formatted finish arch. In order to exit a pool ladder will be available.
Along the way there will be many experienced lifeguards and watercrafts for the safety of athletes. If you don’t feel well and you are not able to continue, you may move your hands up and down or move to the nearest watercraft.
* Athletes will be transferred by boat to the starting area.

Rules and regulations
The participants can compete with swimming goggles or mask and swimsuit (wetsuit).
For those who simply want to swim the use of masks-snorkel and flippers is permitted.

Other Information
In “Santorini Experience” there is timing, while there are no age categories.
The athletes should be at the old port at least 1 hour before the scheduled starting time.
The contestants can use the cable car connecting Fira to the old port. In the cable car entrance there will be a list with the first and last names of the contestants.
The viewers could visit the port by stairs or by cable car. They are able to share this unique experience from any part of Fira or Santorini with a view to Caldera.

5 km. Route

The route of 5 km. starts slightly downhill for about 250 meters to a wide dirt road and then follows a strongly uphill path 1,250 m long, with an average gradient of 12%. Then the dirt road path narrows and the form of the ground changes with several stones which need increased attention. The slope is downhill until the reversal point located midway (2.5 km.) where there will be a power station.

On returning we meet the maximum slope just before the 3.5 km., which is close to 40% (!) for about 100km. The last 1.5 km. of the route is downhill.

Technical characteristics of the route:

Start - stop Elevation: 146 m.
Reversal point Elevation: 173 m.
Maximum altitude: 293 m.
Minimum altitude: 135 m.
Total positive elevation: 313 m.
Maximum slope: 37.6 %
Route Ground: soil path with recessed stones in some places.

10km. Route

The route of 10 km. starts slightly downhill for about 250 meters to a wide dirt road and then follows a strongly uphill path 1,250 m long, with an average gradient of 12%. Then the dirt road path narrows and the form of the ground changes with several stones which need increased attention. The slope is downhill until the point located at 2.5 km. where there will be the first power station. Then the route continues on asphalt road for about 660 meters with moderate uphill slope, to get back on a path where the ground is soft and somewhat loose soil so you need a little attention as it is relatively slippery, with very steep slope for about 700 meters with breathtaking view. Attention at this point, you must move as far on the left side of the trail as possible.

The intense uphill ends at 3.8 km. at the chapel of Prophet Elias, where a concrete steep alley follows up to 4.5 km. which is 500 meters before the reversing point and the second power station. The way back is the same except for the point after the 6th km. where before you reach the chapel of Prophet Elias, you take the paved path (also needs enough attention) on the right side until you get back on the asphalt road at the 7th km. and in about 600 meters you get back on the path for the return where we meet the maximum slope just before 8.5 km., which is close to 40% (!) for 100 m. The last 1.5 km. of the route is downhill.

Technical characteristics of the route:

Start - stop Elevation: 146 m.
Reversal point Elevation: 245 m.
Maximum altitude: 293 m.
Minimum altitude: 135 m.
Total positive elevation: 570 m.
Maximum slope: 37.6 %
Route Ground: soil path with recessed stones in some places, asphalt road, paved path.

15km Route

The route of 15 km. starts slightly downhill for about 250 meters to a wide dirt road and then follows a strongly uphill path 1,250 m long, with an average gradient of 12%. Then the dirt road path narrows and the form of the ground changes with several stones which need increased attention. The slope is downhill until the point located at 2.5 km. where there will be the first power station. Then the route continues on asphalt road for about 660 meters with moderate uphill slope, to get back on a path where the ground is soft and somewhat loose soil so you need a little attention as it is relatively slippery, with very steep slope for about 700 meters with breathtaking view. Attention at this point, you must move as far on the left side of the trail as possible.

The intense uphill ends at 3.8 km at the chapel of Prophet Elias, where a concrete steep alley follows up to 4.5 km which is 500 meters before the second power station at 5km. The next 2 kilometers is also quite steep in stable but fairly hard ground passing through Imerovigli and the view continues to be amazing. We continue up to the entrance of Fira until we get to the church of Saint Gerasimos where you will find the third power station and the reversal point. The way back is the same except for the point after the 11th km where before you reach the chapel of Prophet Elias, you take the paved path (also needs enough attention) on the right side until you get back on the asphalt road at the 12th km and in about 600 meters you get back on the path for the return where we meet the maximum slope just before 13.5 km, which is close to 40% (!) for 100 m. The last 1.5 km of the route is downhill.

Technical characteristics of the route:

Start - stop Elevation: 146 m.
Reversal point Elevation: 277 m.
Maximum altitude: 334 m.
Minimum altitude: 135 m.
Total positive elevation: 834 m.
Maximum slope: 37.6 %
Route Ground: soil path with recessed stones in some places, asphalt road, paved path.