Open water swimming as a sport is great at giving second chances. Whether a swimmer comes back after being defeated in a channel attempt (like Mike Miller in the Catalina Channel) or swims to victory after a disappointing defeat (like Ana Marcela Cunha at the world championships), second chances are nearly always better in the open water.
Swimming any particular course is usually easier the second time around simply because swimmers are more familiar with the surrounding and water conditions and marine environment.
The second chance – at a qualification swim, at a channel attempt or at a race – is usually welcomed and results in better results. Gotta like those second chances in the open water.
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.