Leon Politano is the type of individual who makes the sport of swimming what it is. The Canadian swimming official is a masters coach who enjoys swimming himself.
He was recognized this by the British Columbia Swim Coaches Association as the British Columbia Swim Official of the Year.
But his hands and footprint are all over the sport in British Columbia. From a Level 5 Swim British Columbia official and a certified Special Olympics coach to the coach of the Westshore Masters on Vancouver Island and swimmer himself, he makes his presence known at the grassroots level.
And the sport needs his knowledge and sense of commitment – and more people like him.
This year in August, the Masters Swimming Association of British Columbia held its first Open Water Swimming Provincial Championships. Over 200 swimmers participated in five different events in Thetis Lake in Victoria, British Columbia. Under the tutelage of visiting Patti Clarkson from Calgary, the Provincial Championships were used as a training opportunity for individuals who wish to serve as open water swimming officials.
At the grassroots level, open water swimming is growing like weeds: constantly, quickly, and all over the place.
Photo of Leon Politano courtesy of the Masters Swimming Association of British Columbia.
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.