Bosnia Refugee Realizes Swimming Dreams In Canada
Samira Rusman, who swims with the Nanaimo Ebbtides, swam from Gabriola Island to Nanaimo in British Columbia, Canada on August 25th in an event to help raise funds to end childhood cancer. She expected to finish the 6 km distance in 3-4 hours, but unexpectedly finished the swim in 1 hour 48 minutes.“The event was an overwhelmingly success,” recalls Russ Der, president of the Nanamio White Rapids Swim Club who served as Rusman‘s manager. “Her time totally blew everyone away. The water was like glass, and she only stopped for about 3 minutes to refuel.”
The Bosnia native who immigrated to Canada after raising her son in a time of war has more dreams to fulfill in the water:
Photo of Samira Rusman by Ben Ingram.
Copyright © 2013 by Open Water Swimming
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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