Alick Wickham, Truly Versatile Open Water Pioneer
Open water freestyler…body surfer promoter…world-record high diver…surfer shaper…Alick Wickham was truly an aquatic innovator and pioneer.Alick from Roviana Lagoon in the Solomon Islands was credited with shaping the first surfboard in Australia and introducing the crawl stroke (freestyle) to Australia when he demonstrated the crawl at Bronte Beach in Australia, although the freestyle at that time was widespread in many parts of the Pacific.
Alick Wickham also established the still-standing world high dive record at 62.4 meters (205 feet) while diving into the Yarra River. He was reportedly in a coma for a week after.
Alick, using freestyle, also played a role in the development of body surfing, when he was catching waves in Manly Beach in Sydney.
A true hero and open water pioneer in various disciplines.
Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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