Bill Welzien Swimming To His Diamond Anniversary
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Bill Welzien is the undisputed King of Key West.
As of October 2015, Welzien has completed 72 circumnavigations of 12.5 miles (20.1 km) around Key West, Florida over the course of his lengthy career.
“Our 40th annual Swim Around Key West is scheduled for June 4th. I hope on that day to complete #75,” says Welzien.
The Swim Around Key West began in 1977 by Anna Fugina who had suffered injuries from a car accident and used swimming as therapy to assist in recovery. On July 4th 1977, Fugina took roughly 12 hours to finish the circumnavigation around Key West and set the stage for many others – especially Welzien – to do the same.
* The 25th anniversary is referred to as a silver anniversary; 50th anniversary is the golden anniversary; 75th is the diamond anniversary.
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.
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