What is Raia Rapida?

What is Raia Rapida?

Adam Mania profiles Brazil's Raia Rapida races.

Sep 24, 2016 by Willie Saylor
What is Raia Rapida?
by Adam Mania

This week in Brazil, fast swimming says farewell to the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio De Janeiro. In it’s last hurrah, Raia Rapida, the quick-hitting, last man standing, king of the mountain grudge match, where 4 swimmers from each of the 4 participating countries battle to grant the hallowed Olympic grounds one last taste of speed.

The US, along with Italy, South Africa, and the home team Brazil, each field 4 swimmers. One for each respective stroke. The 50m racing format is basically a painful dive set with little or no time for warm down. Start with 4. Last place gets knocked out. Then race with with 3. 2-3 minutes of rest. If you advance, hurry up out of the water, and walk back to the blocks while the 3 other heats of 50s go. Then you go again. Last place gets knocked out. So it’s down to 2 now, but this time the meet directors are generous enough to give 5 extra minutes so you can warm down a nice 100. Drum roll for mono e mono. A one on one showdown for the final. You’re either first in this race. Or you’re last. But there is no time to celebrate afterwards. Or sulk. Another 5-10 minute break and you rally the troops back together for a 200 Medley Relay for the grand finale.

I competed at the Raia Rapida it’s very first two years, and I have to say it was one of the most interesting, exciting, surprisingly painful swimming experiences of my life. In many elite swimming races, you usually have a ballpark idea of who is going to win. But here, there are  other variables at play. Stamina obviously, but strategy too.

Countries are awarded points on their respective finishes in the individual events, but the relay counts for more. Significantly more. So now the question begs “What are my real chances of winning this event?” Based on the spread of the competitors, a swimmer can feel like he has a great chance to get in the final top 2, but backs off in the final a little bit to have a solid relay performance. Will the bet pay off? Also a 100/200 specialist may thrive better towards the last rounds and relay so you have to be aware of your opponents. No matter what, 2 out of the 4 swimmers in each event will be doing all 4x50s in a matter of 30 minutes. 1 of those swimmers will only be doing 3, and the other will only be doing 2. I have seen swimmers absolutely fall apart on the relay from the accelerating fatigue, but I have also seen swimmers get faster and faster throughout each 50. (The benefits of a abbreviated warm up? Couple slaps to the face a breakout and an ez 25? I’ve seen it done folks. And to perfection.)

Meets like this showcase an exciting peek into sprint swimming with a hook. Not all meets have to be the never-ending 3 day prelim-final gauntlets. The Western Great Lakes Open at the Schroeder YMCA does a variation of this. Hosted by Lake Country Swimming, they start with 8 swimmers and whittle it down to the final 2. Exciting for the kids and even more exciting for the people in the stands. And the fans here in Brazil definitely go bonkers.

Another wonderful aspect to this event is the community outreach that the swimmers get to participate in. Raia Rapida puts on a great event where the featured athletes get to work and play with the youth of Rocinha, the world’s largest favela, and even do some fun relays with them.  

2016 Raia Rapida Press Guide

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