Andy Miyares Dares, Dreams, Does
Courtesy of Robert Strauss at Swim Miami, Florida. 31-year-old Andres H. Miyares first discovered swimming at the young age of 9 months at Strauss’ Swim Gym in Miami.
“I had him under my tutelage until he was 10 years old,” explains Strauss about the Special Olympics athlete with Down Syndrome. “Since then, he has spent time training with other fine coaches and programs in Miami like Coach Kirk Peppas and Mr. Alain Halley. Through the years, Andy has always come back to swim at the Swim Gym for stroke technique improvement, and always surprised us pleasantly with American and world records.”
But at the Swim Miami event this Sunday, Andres H. Miyares went the extra mile. 3.1 miles in fact.
He completed his first 5 km open water swim in Biscayne Bay in 1 hour 45 minutes. “His swim was truly amazing,” exclaimed Strauss. “You have taught all of us many lessons and this one perhaps tops them all, you’ve gone places where no one has ever dared or been, you’ve shown us how anything is possible if we put our heart and effort into it. Thank you for being an inspiration.”
Photo shows Jennie Strauss, Andres H. Miyares, Robert Strauss and race director Jonathan Strauss.
Copyright © 2015 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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