Reflections Interview: Laura Volpi — Seeing The World Through The Water

Interview by Lauren Gallagher

Italian marathon swimmer Laura Volpi has lived two swimming lives. The first was fast, competitive and international — shaped by years of elite open-water racing and some of the world’s longest events. The second is slower, busier, and arguably more meaningful: training in short windows between work, family and life in northern Italy, yet still returning to the river each year for distance and discovery.

From Argentina’s legendary ultra swims to the community warmth of UltraEbre, Laura’s story is a reminder that long-distance swimming isn’t only about speed. It’s about experience, mindset and the way open water can make you feel fully alive.

Watch the whole interview in that VIDEO.

From the Pool to the World

Lauren Gallagher: Laura, thank you for joining us. To start, could you tell me a little about your background in swimming — and how you found your way into long-distance open water?

Laura Volpi: I started swimming when I was young, but only in the pool. Then I stopped during university. When I started again, I discovered open-water races and I discovered something about myself: the longer the distance, the better I was. I was faster in long distances, so I started to focus on marathon swims.

My top level was between 2007 and 2010 when I participated in the FINA World Cup long races. I did the 88 km in the Paraná River in Argentina — it’s the longest race in the world and very famous. I also did another 57 km in Argentina, 34 km in Canada at Lac Memphrémagog, Capri–Napoli and many more.

Lauren: That’s amazing.

Laura: That was my top level, yes. Then I stopped again when I had my two children. A few years ago I started again — now I’m slower, but the passion is the same. And I returned to long distances: 30 km in Formentera, 25 km in Palma and swimming around islands… many times.

Why UltraEbre Keeps Calling

Lauren: You’ve swum UltraEbre several times. What is it that keeps bringing you back?

Laura: There are many reasons. First, I love Spain — the country, the food, the language — so I’m always happy to go there.

The Ebre River and the landscapes you see while swimming are very beautiful. The organisation — with Luis and all the staff — feels like a family. They know how to make you experience the river and their country.

Also, in those three or four days you stay there, you meet swimmers from many parts of the world. You are united by a common passion. You share everything. You come out enriched.

The Power Of The Mind

Lauren: Last year sounded especially intense for you — you mentioned you were sick?

Laura: Yes, I had a virus. My daughter gave me this “present” before I came to Spain. I had a fever, and I hadn’t eaten for two days.

But I decided to start the race anyway. The first part was quite good, and then I finished my energy… but I finished the race. I was second, so I was happy.

It was a good experience for the mind. Because when you see your body is finished — you don’t have energy anymore — you can try to find more energy in your mind and go until the end.

Lauren: So would you say mindset is your main motivation now?

Laura: Yes. In our races the mind is very important — especially now. With work and family I don’t have enough time to train, so the body trains little. But the mind has to stay focused and strong.

I also do mental coaching exercises. I try to avoid anxiety, because when you’re getting older you start thinking too much. While you’re swimming you must stay focused on the race — not thinking, “I’m too old, what am I doing here, I have to stop.”

Because when you finish a race, you feel so good. It’s like all the problems disappear. And I only think: I want to prepare another one.

Always Finding Time To Swim

Lauren: How do you train for long swims now, with your schedule?

Laura: I have strict training times. Two short sessions during the week — one hour in the water — and then Saturday morning is my long training: three or four hours. My family knows that time is for me.

It’s not many kilometres every week, but I have my experience from the past when I swam a lot. I know how to swim long races. So I go with fewer kilometres, but with a strong mind.

Life Beyond Swimming

Lauren: What do you do outside of swimming?

Laura: I work in a hospital in group psychiatry — as a speech therapist.

Lauren: And you’re based in northern Italy?

Laura: Yes, in Mantova. Unfortunately we are far from the sea, so I only have swimming pools for training.

Choosing Races for Meaning, Not Medals

Lauren: What are your plans for this year?

Laura: I still have to check the races. I would like to swim UltraEbre again, but it’s the same day as my child’s birthday.

Now, I choose races differently. I choose long races, yes — but also in places I want to visit. My other passion is travelling: seeing new places, learning about cultures.

I want to travel, meet people and have new experiences. It’s not simple with work, family, money — travelling is expensive — but in summer I try to do one or two races. They have to be long and in a beautiful place. 

Advice for New Open-Water Swimmers

Lauren: Finally, what advice would you give to someone who wants to get into long-distance swimming — or swimming in general?

Laura: Swimming in a pool and swimming in open water are very different. Open water is beautiful — the feeling is amazing. Swimmers who love swimming should try it.

Training for open water swimming is different — more kilometres, for sure. And those who are fastest in the pool are not always fastest in open water. You must find the way, understand the current, choose the best line, follow other swimmers.

You must train your mind, and you must practice — many races — because you need experience.