Lelané Rossouw-Bancroft is following in the footsteps of other great extreme swimmers such as Lynne Cox, Rachel Golub, Patricia Sener, Cristian Vergara, Ram Barkai, Andrew Chin and Lewis Pugh, by attempting a certified Ice Swim (a one mile swim in water of 5°C (41°F) or less without a wetsuit or neoprene cap.
Dedicating her swim to the son of one of her support team, she is raising money for the Autism Service Dogs of America. Donations are used to provide exceptionally well-trained dogs that make a positive impact on the lives of children living with autism and their families.
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.