Circuito MASF — Colégio Naval (Angra dos Reis)

In 1986, the drug trafficker known as 'Escadinha' orchestrated a high-stakes escape from the Cândido Mendes prison on Ilha Grande, vanishing into the waters after a dramatic helicopter rescue from the beach of Coroa Grande. Today, the same bay serves as the stage for the Circuito MASF at the Colégio Naval, where swimmers trace the path of these currents in a setting defined by both history and geography. While the area is synonymous with the Aloha Spirit event held earlier in the season, this specific leg challenges athletes to navigate the unique conditions of the Angra dos Reis bay.

The waters of Angra dos Reis

As you swim, you may notice the water temperature remains consistently influenced by the thermal discharge from the nearby Angra I and Angra II nuclear power stations, a local anomaly that alters the maritime climate of the bay. Glancing toward the horizon, the silhouette of the Pico do Papagaio dominates the skyline, its 982-meter peak acting as a natural compass for those rounding the buoys. Beneath the surface, the marine environment is a protected sanctuary where encounters with sea turtles or the swift movements of Maria-Farinha crabs are common occurrences in the coastal mangroves. The seafloor itself holds secrets, including the landing site of an 1869 meteorite, the only 'angrite' class fall ever witnessed by humanity, with experts speculating that fragments may remain embedded in the sediment.

Historical markers and race logistics

The shoreline is dotted with evidence of the region’s past, including the prehistoric 'oficinas líticas'—rocks marked by indigenous populations who used them to hone stone tools. These lithic workshops are remnants of a long human presence that predates the 19th-century Lazareto quarantine station, which once processed thousands of ships during cholera outbreaks. The race, organized by MASF, offers distances of 500m, 1250m, and 1500m. Every participant benefits from a rigorous safety protocol that the organization has refined since its founding in 2014. Whether you are navigating the historic waters near the aqueduct of Vila do Abraão or focusing on your pacing for the 1500m, the event centers on providing a controlled environment for testing personal limits in a location where the Tamoio resistance once defined the struggle for this territory.