Reflections Interview: Elena Edatti - Finding Freedom and Focus in Open Water
Interview by Ben Lane
For Italian swimmer and psychologist Elena Edatti, the open water is more than a place to train — it’s a place to think, to let go, and to rediscover herself. At 39, she balances a professional career with a passion for endurance swimming that has taken her from Ibiza to Ischia, from the Ebro River in Spain to the lakes of Central Europe. Her reflections reveal how swimming becomes a dialogue between the body and the mind — a test of endurance, but also a form of therapy.
Beginnings and Balance
Ben Lane: Elena, thank you for joining us. Can you start by telling readers a bit about who you are and how swimming fits into your life?
Elena Edatti: My name is Elena, I’m 39 years old, and I’m a psychologist. I’ve been swimming since I was a child, although I also ran competitively for many years. Swimming has always been there in the background of my life — first as sport, then as a way to find peace.
In the winter months I swim with a Masters team, training indoors and racing occasionally. But my greatest passion is open-water swimming — the long distances in the sea, rivers, and lakes. It’s a personal challenge but also a pleasure. Every race is a journey, a mix of physical preparation, mental training, and travel. You visit new countries, discover new cultures, and meet other people who share the same love for the water.
The 2025 Season: Six Journeys, Six Lessons
Ben: You’ve had a very full 2025 season. Tell us about some of the swims you’ve completed this year.
Elena: It’s been a wonderful and demanding year. I’ve done six major races, each one completely different.
The first was the Ibiza–Formentera 30 km sea crossing, one of the most challenging swims I’ve ever done because of the strong currents that move constantly between the two islands. It’s a mental journey as much as a physical one — there are no landmarks, no distractions. You are surrounded only by blue. Time stretches, and you must rely entirely on your inner strength.
Then there was Lipno, a 33 km swim across a lake in the Czech Republic. The water there feels like swimming in a huge natural pool, flat and calm, but the scenery is beautiful — forests, mountains, reflections on the surface.
After that came the UltraEbre Swim Marathon in Spain — 30.8 km along the Ebro River. It’s one of my favourites: well organised, friendly, and held in a spectacular landscape. You feel part of a real community of swimmers.
Another demanding race was the Lisboa–Cascais 20 km swim, half in the river and half in the open Atlantic. The contrast is intense — cold water, strong currents, and unpredictable waves. You need to adapt constantly.
Then came the Gulf of Toroneos swim in Greece — 26 km in high temperatures with shifting currents. It was physically hard, but the colours of the Aegean made it unforgettable.
And finally, I completed the Swim Around Ischia — 30 km around the island in southern Italy. It’s pure beauty: volcanic cliffs, green water, small fishing villages, and the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature.
Why She Swims
Ben: What is it that draws you to these extreme swims? Why do you swim?
Elena: Swimming gives me a space to think. It allows me to step away from everyday life, from responsibilities and noise, and enter a rhythm that is only mine. When I swim, I’m free to let my mind wander. It’s a place for positive thoughts.
As a psychologist, I understand how physical activity affects our mental well-being. Swimming is meditation in motion — the repetitive movement, the sound of breathing, the changing light. It’s one of the few times I feel completely present and calm.
Training the Body ... and the Mind
Ben: Your events demand huge preparation. How do you train for both body and mind?
Elena: I train every day in the water, alternating endurance, and speed sessions. In the gym I work four times a week, focusing on specific swimming strength — core stability, shoulders, and legs.
Nutrition is also essential. My diet is mainly carbohydrate-based but varied. During long training sessions I supplement with mineral salts to prevent fatigue and cramps.
But physical training alone isn’t enough. The mind must be trained too. In long-distance swimming, mental focus is as important as technique. I often practice mindfulness, or even mental “rehearsals” of races — imagining the sensations, the fatigue, the moment when I’ll want to stop, and how I’ll respond.
When you’re in the middle of a long swim, you need mental tools. I use strategies like singing songs in my head, recalling parts of books I’ve read, or thinking about things I’d like to do. It keeps my mind active and prevents negative thoughts from taking over.
Mind Over Water: UltraEbre Reflections
Ben: You mentioned the UltraEbre as one of your favourite events. What makes that race special?
Elena: The Ebro River is unique. The landscape changes constantly — reeds, bridges, birds flying overhead — and the current helps you for part of the swim, then tests you near the end. The organisation is wonderful; you feel supported and safe.
It’s also a race that teaches balance. You must respect the river, listen to your body, and manage your energy carefully. I remember moments of silence where I felt perfectly connected — body, mind, and nature moving together.
Keeping Going When It Hurts
Ben: What keeps you going when fatigue or pain sets in?
Elena: It’s always a challenge with yourself. There’s no one to beat but your own doubts. When it hurts, I remind myself that this is what I’ve trained for — not just the muscles, but the resilience.
Sometimes I repeat small mantras. Other times I think about the people who support me, or the places I’ve been lucky enough to swim. Finishing isn’t just about endurance — it’s a way to reward yourself, to prove you can keep going when it gets hard.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Goals
Ben: What challenges are waiting for you next year?
Elena: I have several planned for 2026. The first will be the Ultra Oceanman Tabarca on 30 May 2026, another long-distance sea race near Alicante. After that, I’ll take part in the Batalla de Rande in Spain — a race full of history and symbolism.
Then I plan to return to Lipno and to Lisboa–Cascais, both of which I love for different reasons — one calm and meditative, the other wild and unpredictable. Finally, I hope to swim around Capri, one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean.
Every race is a story — a reason to travel, to test myself, and to connect with others who love open water as much as I do.
Closing Reflections
Ben: You talk about synergy between body and mind — can you explain what that means for you?
Elena: It means that swimming isn’t just movement; it’s a dialogue between the physical and the mental. You can train your muscles, but if your mind gives up, the body follows. Likewise, if your body is tired but your mind stays calm and focused, you can continue far longer than you think possible.
It’s a kind of harmony — the body obeys, the mind guides, and the water holds you. That’s what I love most about open water.
Final Thoughts
For Elena Edatti, open-water swimming is more than sport — it’s a philosophy. Her year of lakes, rivers, and seas is not a list of distances but a record of moments: the silent horizon between Ibiza and Formentera, the shifting current of the Ebro, the golden light over Ischia’s cliffs.
Her next season will bring more miles, more travel, and more stories. But the essence remains the same — a swimmer searching for equilibrium, stroke by stroke, between endurance and peace.
Elena Edatti is a 39-year-old psychologist and endurance swimmer from Italy. She competes internationally in marathon-distance open-water races including the UltraEbre, Ibiza–Formentera, and Swim Around Ischia. Her 2026 season includes Ultra Oceanman Tabarca, Batalla de Rande, and Capri Swim Around
