Got A Question? Got A Complaint? Got A Problem?
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Race directors of mass participation open water swims always have their hands full. They have to understand and be on top of all aspects of their events from the pre-race registration and volunteer organization to in-the-water safety and contingency protocols in cases of emergencies.
Race directors usually get very little sleep before the event day and have a comprehensive recall of myriad details.
But things always happen on race day whether it is due to weather, wind or human error.
So it is wonderful when veteran race directors are on top of everything and make themselves available and visible to the swimmers, volunteers, parents and coaches.
Wayne Riddin of the Midmar Mile was such a ubiquitous presence in South Africa [shown on left] and so is Kaia Hedlund at the Waikiki Roughwater Swim on Oahu with her pretty-in-pink race director top.
Copyright © 2016 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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