Frank Pritchard emerged as an outstanding pool and professional marathon swimmer between the late 1920’s until 1937, competing in several Canadian National Exhibition races, finishing second in 1935 and winning in 1936 and 1937. He also won the 1934 Hearst 15-mile Swim in Lake Michigan as well as the 1934 and 1935 Blue Water Carnival swims in Ontario, Canada.
Frank was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in its Class of 2008 and was represented by his son and grandson at his induction ceremony.
Enjoy listening to memories about Frank shared by his grandson on WOWSA Live:
Photo above showsFrank Pritchard. Picture used with permission of Vintage (Brianne), 4 October 2016
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.
