When Eva Buzo emerged from the waters of the Ionian Sea after swimming 93 kilometres from Italy to Albania, she wasn’t thinking about medals or records. She was dreaming about one thing: warmth.
“I was dreaming about my Toasty jacket while I was swimming.”
As soon as Eva stepped out of the water, she wrapped herself in her Toasty jacket — the same jacket she relies on for warmth and recovery after her most challenging swims. For Eva, and for so many endurance swimmers, practical gear isn’t just about comfort. It’s a lifeline.
Pushing Limits: Eva's Ultra-Marathon Challenge
In 2024, Eva became the first person to swim from Italy to Albania — a 77km straight-line distance that, thanks to ocean currents and navigation, became a 93km marathon. It took her over 33 hours.
And while the water that day was a surprisingly warm 29°C, swimming for that long takes its toll. “When you swim for that many hours, your body can’t keep itself warm anymore, no matter the water temperature,” Eva explains. That’s when recovery gear becomes essential. The moment she stepped out of the water, Eva reached for her Toasty jacket — designed to lock in warmth, protect from the elements, and help her body recover after hours (or days) at sea.
Earlier that year, she also conquered the English Channel — one of the world’s most iconic and demanding swims — in water just 13 degrees Celsius.
For Eva, these swims are more than physical challenges. They are deeply personal
The Return to the Water
Eva rediscovered cold-water swimming during COVID, after a 20-year break. It was something she never expected to return to, but through training with VladSwim, a well-known coaching community in Sydney, she rekindled her passion and realised that it wasn’t too late to chase big goals.
“I realised I had a second chance to be an athlete again.”
That moment sparked the beginning of her marathon swimming journey.
How Do You Train for a 93km Swim?
Preparing for a multi-day ocean swim is no small feat. Eva describes it as a full-body, full-mind, full-life commitment.
Her Weekly Routine:
- Pool Swims (4x/week): Focusing on technique and pacing, using the 80/20 method — 80% endurance, 20% high intensity.
- Long Ocean Swims (1x/week): 3+ hours of open-water practice in real conditions.
- Strength Training (3–5x/week): To build endurance and protect her body from overuse injuries.
- Flexibility & Mobility: Yoga or stretching twice a week for recovery.
- Nutrition: A keto-based approach to fuel performance and recovery with high fats, moderate protein, and low carbs.
- Rest & Recovery: Prioritising downtime, community, and balance.
Why Toasty?
Whether the water is icy or tropical, marathon swimmers face one constant challenge: staying warm after hours in the ocean. Eva trusts her Toasty jacket because it’s made with a 10,000mm waterproof outer and a thick, fleece-lined interior — built to insulate, protect, and recover.
Whether she’s training on cold mornings or recovering from 30+ hours in the ocean, Toasty is always close by.
What’s Next for Eva?
Her next challenge? A 40km swim in Buenaventura, completed in July 2025 — and that’s just the beginning. Eva’s appetite for adventure is as strong as ever, and we’re proud to have her as part of the Toasty Life community.
FAQs About Eva Buzo
Q: Where does Eva swim and train?
Eva trains between the ocean and pool in Sydney, Australia, and is part of the VladSwim community.
Q: What inspires her swims?
Eva is driven by a lifelong love of the ocean, the desire to challenge herself, and the community she’s built along the way.
FAQs About Toasty Life
Q: What is Toasty?
Toasty is an Australian brand creating weatherproof, fleece-lined jackets designed to keep you warm and dry before and after outdoor adventures — including cold-water swims.
Q: Are Toasty jackets waterproof?
Yes. They feature a 10,000mm waterproof outer shell with soft, moisture-wicking fleece on the inside.
Q: Can I wear Toasty after ocean or cold-water swims?
Absolutely — they’re ideal for warming up and drying off quickly, just like Eva does after her swims.
Feeling inspired?
Explore Toasty jackets and discover why adventurers like Eva Buzo trust them for the toughest