With several idyllic islands off in the distance, the 1.6 km relay and the 400m, 800m and 3 km swims are held in a calm, protective cove in Yumigahama Beach, Shizuoka in Japan. About two hours south of Tokyo by train, the swim is for both casual and competitive masters swimmers.
Olympian and world champion Glen Christiansen flew from Germany to Japan last year to participate. “The weather in Shizuoka in September is warm and slightly humid. The air temperature was 28°C by mid-day with the water temperature a comfortable 25 – 26°C. A slight breeze helped cool the warm temperatures, although an unexpected squall temporarily delayed the start of the event last year. Upon passing, the clouds dissipated and the sun broke out in glorious fashion. It was fantastic!”
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.