Francismar Siviero (70, Brazil, @francisswim) is a pool and open water swimmer from Grêmio Náutico União who swims and eloquently documents many open water swims around the world in the Portuguese language via his blog NATAÇÃO MASTER. He also created the Swimming Through Postcards project where he describes his global tour to iconic locations and open water swimming events in Italy and France. Siviero explains, “The initiative goes beyond sports. Through swimming, the projects promotes reflections on sustainability, social inclusion, and healthy living, connecting people with nature and the local culture of the places visited.“
His latest project is a short Instagram documentary, “Quem nada no Guaíba nada em qualquer parte do mundo” or “Whoever swims in the Guaíba can swim anywhere in the world” that was produced by photojournalist Mateus Bruxel for GZH, the news portal of Grupo RBS.
Guaíba is a major body of water in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil, commonly referred to either as a river (Rio Guaíba) or a lake (Lago Guaíba).
Siviero says, “At 70 years old, I continue to turn every stroke into an argument in favor of healthy aging. Just over a month after heart surgery, which included the implantation of six bypass grafts, I returned to training and open-water swimming marathons — in Brazil and abroad. My thanks to Mateus Bruxel and GZH for telling this story with such sensitivity.“
Watch here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT_hSaXjxlZ/
I also took part in a special environmental awareness action: the Beach Cleanup held at Ponchettes Beach in Nice on World Cleanup Day that symbolized one of the central pillars of the project, which seeks not only to encourage sports practice, but also to promote ecological and social responsibility.
The Swimming Through Postcards Project transforms each race into an invitation for reflection and change of habits. By crossing seas, rivers, and lakes around the world, I can demonstrate that it is possible to age in an active, healthy, and inspiring way.“
For more information about the project, upcoming stages, and news can be found at: francisswim.com.br.
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