Nearly every marathon swimmer understands and appreciates the support they receive from their family, friends and co-workers during the months leading up to their swims. Sacrifices are not only made by the athlete, but also by their spouses, children, parents and significant others.
It is truly a team effort for a sport that drives people to dream and achieve remarkable things in the water – and then often provides the inspiration and foundation to continue achieving one’s goals out of the water.
This young 15-year-old attended the 2011 Global Open Water Swimming Conference and was similarly inspired by what she heard and saw. Helping inspire the next generation is one of the hallmarks of open water swimmers worldwide. Keep it up.
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.