Héctor Ramírez Ballesteros is an open water swimming butterflyer coached by Jose Diaz. Known as HHector, the former competitive swimmer sang the song Hip-HopenWater Nadandolibre (listen below). But in the ocean, his 2012 goals are all unprecedented butterfly swims:
* 5K Ciudad Real – Ruidera (Laguna and Laguna King Hung) * 10K Murcia – Crossing the Sea * 5K Avila Valley Crossing Iruelas * 20K Murcia – Voyage in the Mediterranean – Las Salinas – Cabo de Palos * 5K Asturias – Crossing the Descent of the Ria de Navia (18ºC) * 10K Cies Islands, Galicia, Vigo Crossing * 10K Gandia – international voyage Cullera Bay
And, lastly, the Strait of Gibraltar where he will tackle the 14K strait all double-armed butterfly.
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.