Before Zhabkolapky existed, Dmytro coached Yuliia for her first 10 km. They grew used to long distances together and decided to test themselves in a six-hour swim.
At Crazy Challenge 2025, Dmytro swam 17 km and took first place among men. Yuliia covered 15 km and finished third among women.
They did not know then that soon they would be swimming a 24-hour relay with a team that had its own name, swim caps and the motto “Keep swimming and don’t croak” 🐸
Meeting at Zadorozhnie Lake
In August 2025, Dmytro met Volodymyr Morpak at Zadorozhnie Lake. Before the Sunset Swim, Volodymyr realised he needed someone alongside him in open water. Dmytro swam with him.
Later, Dmytro and Yuliia invited Volodymyr to Svitiaz Wave. Then they began building a team for the 24-hour Crazy Challenge. There were six: four veterans and two civilian swimmers. Zhabkolapky was born.
A coach who makes you think
Dmytro has over six years of open-water swimming experience. He has started seven 10 km races and swum 17 km in six hours.
His training is about more than counting metres. Dmytro teaches us to think in the water: notice how we move, understand technique, try different approaches and find what works for each person.
We joke that a session with him is 60% talking, explanations and technique, and 40% swimming 😅 But those conversations help you understand what you are doing in the water.
Long swims and the team
At the winter Crazy Challenge 2026, Dmytro swam 14 km in 4 hours 30 minutes. The team covered 62.1 km in 24 hours and placed fifth of nine teams. Dmytro and Yuliia also planned swimmer rotations and meals for the day.
At Oceanman Kyiv 2026, Dmytro swam 10 km, then started once more for another 2 km with fellow Zhabkolapky swimmers. Because after ten, perhaps there is time for a little more 😅
Once Dmytro coached Yuliia for her first 10 km. Then they swam six hours together. Later he stayed alongside Volodymyr at Zadorozhnie. Now he coaches Zhabkolapky and helps everyone find their own way to move in the water.