While some countries like Great Britain are beginning to see a greater number of women participating in open water relative to men, many countries and events are the world still see the number of men vs. women to be something like the FINIS-sponsored RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco.
At the 2011 RCP Tiburon Mile, 59% of the participants were male and 41% were female.
52% of the 646 athletes wore wetsuits and 48% went traditional in the cool 16°C (61°F) waters. The average age of the competitors was 35.7 years old with athletes coming from ten countries: Great Britain, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark, Australia, Ireland, Brazil, Egypt, Russia and the USA vying for the overall US$10,000 first prize.
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.