Guardians Of The Open Water
Besides the hard-working, passionate, selfless race directors of the estimated 6,500 open water swimming events around the world, the other critical people in the open water swimming world include the safety personnel and volunteers on the water. The lifeguards on paddle boards, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, safety boats and onshore are essential elements of the entire open water swimming ecosystem.
They know the local waters, understand its occasional tempestuous nature, can spot individuals in distress, and very importantly expertly help swimmers in emergencies.
Here are a few stories of these heroes and heroines of the open water:
Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source
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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