The Global swimrun community with pro tips and passion

By Nico Remires

Team Envol is not just a team – it’s a global support group dedicated to the sport of swimrun, with “Pro tips” at its core. What started as an organic journey has evolved into a true family business, one where passion for sport and community are the driving forces behind our success.

The origins of team envol

Team Envol Swimrun began in 2014 with a group of friends training together in Stockholm. I had just discovered swimrun (thanks to Daniel Hansson) and immediately fell in love with the sport in my new home country of Sweden. By 2016, Team Envol officially emerged. At that time, I was coaching triathlon and running, so moving into the world of swimrun felt like a natural progression!

As the number of swimrun races grew, so did our group. People from different places began asking if they could join the team, and we said yes! Suddenly, we had members from France, Germany, the UK, and beyond. What had begun as a local group meeting south of Stockholm had slowly transformed into a global community, with an online presence and a growing number of participants at races worldwide. The blue color and rocket logo of Team Envol soon became familiar atop podiums and on countless training photos shared on social media. One of the most iconic events in the swimrun world is the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series, which is recognized as the leading series of swimrun races. Team Envol has always had a presence at ÖTILLÖ events, with our athletes competing and achieving remarkable success.

A global Community of swimrun enthusiast

Today, we are still the same group of friends training together – just better organized. Our team is supported by experienced coaches who ensure that all members have access to top-tier training plans and coaching. What started as a team focused on high-level performance has evolved into a community where all levels of swimrunners are represented.

Team Envol has grown to include members from around the globe – places like Iran, Australia, Peru, Poland, and North America, to name just a few. We currently have around 300 members, each with different backgrounds, faiths, and personalities, united by our shared passion for swimrun. When you join Team Envol—also known as The Blue Nation—you embrace a commitment to respecting human rights, nature, and equality for all. The rest doesn’t matter to us. Religion, sexual orientation, and nationality are irrelevant in the world of swimrun. After all, we all look the same in a wetsuit!

swimrun: more than just a sport

Our mission is to make it easier for everyone to take their first steps into swimrun. This sport is more than just a competition – it’s a lifestyle. Going on a swimrun adventure in nature doesn’t just leave you with endorphins and sore muscles. It creates a deep connection to nature that few other sports can provide. We see swimrun as more closely aligned with surfing or backcountry skiing than with triathlon. It’s not just about the races. Competing is optional—thrill-seeking and exploring are mandatory.

the importance of race organizers

Swimrun wouldn’t be what it is today without race organizers like ÖTILLÖ. These events give us the chance to experience new places in a safe and organized way. The excitement of the start line and the joy of crossing the finish line are integral parts of the sport. We’re incredibly proud every time we see our colors on a podium. And having World Champions on the team serves as a great source of inspiration for all of us.

the team behind envol swimrun

Today, my wife, Catarina Remires Axelsson, and I are working full-time with Envol Swimrun. We are supported by a team of experienced coaches, including Marcus Barton, Tom Jenkinson, Trista Mennen, Sabina Rapelli, Agnese Signorelli, Tomas Granberg, and Max Jenkinson – individuals who are as passionate about swimrun as they are about coaching. As the first swimrun coaches, we’re committed to remaining the best!

get in touch

Discover more on Instagram
@envolswimrun / @nicolasremires