From Kingdom Comes Phil White
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. From indoors to out. From lawyering to organizing, Phil White shifted gears over the last few years from a powerful attorney to a passionate race director.
On October 22nd at Lago Trattoria, White will celebrate the first anniversary of his Kingdom Games.
“It’s hard to believe. Kingdom Games has made it through the first 12 months of its young life offering over 40 days of running, biking, swimming, triathlon, kayaking, Nordic skating, pond hockey, and speedskating in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the Eastern Townships of Quebec. But we did. And we had a blast. Over 1,300 participants this year. The events have drawn athletes ages 4 to 78 from 36 different states, 5 Canadian provinces, Great Britain, Ireland, India, Mexico, Australia, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.”
Like every good, creative and innovative event organizer, White not only was relentlessly energetic, but he also garnered the support of over 125 volunteers serving over 400 volunteer days this year.
“Putting on the Kingdom Games couldn’t happen without the support of our underwriting sponsors: Community National Bank, North Country Hospital, Newport City Renaissance Corporation and The Foundation Christian Vachon or our many other sponsors, Jay Peak Resort , The Town of Derby, Vermont Sports Magazine, Passumpsic Savings Bank, Northeast Delta Dental, EastSide Restaurant, Lyndon State College, The City of Newport, Community Financial Services Group, Lago Trattoria, Barton Area Chamber of Commerce, Derby Village Store, Newport City Inn & Suites, Northpoint Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, The Front Desk, and Louis Garneau.
It also couldn’t be done without our partners, Kingdom Trails, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Northwoods Stewardship Center, The Old Stone House Museum, Orleans County Citizen Advocacy, Barton Area Chamber of Commerce, Newport Live, North Country Hospital, Newport City Department of Parks and Recreation, Green Mountain United Way, Umbrella, Toys for Kids, The Village Bike Shop, North Country Chamber of Commerce, Marathon Skating International, US Winter Swimming Association, United States Masters Swimming and the World Open Water Swimming Association as well as our supportive friends at Clyde River Recreation, Derby Village Store, ADA Flagging, Newport Natural Foods, Bum Wraps, Front Desk, The City of Magog, Memphremagog Press, Brault’s Slaughterhouse, and Couture’s Maple Shop and B&B, and Fran and Melanie Azur.
One of the best parts of these events is when they draw our community together to welcome athletes from around the country and around the world. Even better, when we see our kids learn to love running, biking, swimming, or skating in our events, side-by-side with some of the most experienced endurance athletes in North America. And just the very best is when we see adults stretch themselves, year after year to accomplish things they never dared to dream when they first got started in our events.
These events would be nothing without the enthusiastic, high-spirited participation of our athletes, young and old. Your enthusiasm is contagious. We love seeing the beauty of our community through your fresh eyes. Your discipline, determination and accomplishments are inspiring.”
Photos courtesy of Phil White.
Copyright © 2014 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. 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.
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