Nicknames In The Open Water from A to Z
Nejib Belhedi [shown above] was nicknamed the Frigate of Tunisia by the Tunisian Ministry of Defense.
He explains, “I became known by the nickname The Tunisian Frégate Nejib BELHEDI due to my swims in seas related to the prodigious marine history of Tunisia from the Amazigh era, the Carthage era, and succeeding civilizations to our contemporary times. The frégate synonym of our national shield has three main pillars: Justice, Freedom, Order.”
Other nicknames of open water swimmers include:
Nicknames of Open Water Swimmers
- Ady: Adrian Sarchet (Guernsey)
- Aeolian Shark: Giovanni Brancato (Italy)
- America’s Best Girl: Gertrude Ederle (USA)
- America’s Travelin’ Swim Coach: Jerry Kerschner (USA)
- American Express: Chad Hundeby (USA)
- American Legless Wonder: Charles Zibelman (USA)
- American Torpedo: John Kinsella (USA)
- Aguasfrias: Camilo Lopez (Argentina)
- Aquatic Aussie: Luke Tipple (Australia)
- The Balaton Shark: Kristóf Rasovszky (Hungary)
- Baltic: Ned Hastings (USA)
- Baltic of Priest Lake: Ned Hastings (USA)
- Baltic of Kaniksu: Ned Hastings (USA)
- Batches: John Batchelder (USA)
- Big Ben: Ben Laughren (USA)
- Big Brother: Robbie Hudson (UK)
- Big Moose: Norman Ross (USA)
- Big River Man: Martin Strel (Slovenia)
- Black Shark: Ernest Vierkoetter (Germany)
- Bones: Sean Ryan (USA)
- Boy: David Sydney Billington (UK)
- Brainiac: Brian Ryckeman (Belgium)
- Bucko: Kristine Buckley (USA)
- Buster: Clarence Linden Crabbe (USA)
- Buster: Henry Elionsky (USA)
- Butterfly Bob: Butterfly Bob Wood (UK)
- Captain Bubbles: Patsee Ober (USA)
- Carpayo: Daniel Eulogio Carpio Massioti (Peru)
- Catalina Kid: George Young (Canada)
- Catalinator: Hank Wise (USA)
- Catawba Catfish: Reginald Huffstetler (USA)
- Champ of the Gulf Coast Waters: Jerry Kerschner (USA)
- Channel General: Freda Streeter, MBE (UK)
- Chappie: Johnny Hayden (Ireland)
- Chappo: Robert Chapman (Australia)
- Charlie The Tuna: Charles Chapman, Jr. (USA)
- Charles Zimmy: Charles Zibleman (USA)
- Charley: Charlotte Samuels (USA)
- Cheybee: Cheyenne Furlong Goos (Canada)
- Chuckle: Tim Buckle (Great Britain)
- Ciastko: Bill Welzien (USA)
- Clown Chips: Julius Carallo (USA)
- Coach Moi: John Mark Yamoyam (Philippines)
- Coach Sickie: Ron Marcikic (USA)
- Crocodile of the Nile: Abdul Latif Abou Heif (Egypt)
- Cypress Sam: George Mann (USA)
- Dama del Río de la Plata: Noelia Petti (Argentina)
- Dean Swimmer: Dean Summers (Australia)
- Dix: Richard Gardner (USA)
- Dixonator: Dixon McGowan (Canada)
- Dolphin Boy: Hank Wise (USA)
- Dolphinman: Paolo Eros Cerizzi (Italy)
- Doc: James Counsilman (USA)
- Doctor Ice: Dr. Sean Gottschalk (South Africa)
- Dorado: Horacio Iglesias (Argentina)
- Double Dip Frank: Frank Coghlan (USA)
- Double Down: Elizabeth Fry (USA)
- Dr. Chicken: Dr. Joel Saperstein (USA)
- Dr G: Genadijus Sokolovas, Ph.D. (USA/Lithuania)
- Dr Ice: Ger Kennedy (Ireland)
- Dr. Popsicle: Gordon Giesbrecht, Ph.D. (Canada)
- Dr. Rip: Rob Brander (Australia)
- Dr. Svimmm: Sven Eckardt (Germany)
- Dudu: Eduardo Santos (Brazil)
- Deuce: Benson Huggard
- Dukan’s Dolphin: Alireza Jaff – Shwan (Iraq)
- Duke: Marvin Nelson (USA)
- Dutch: Ed Stetser (USA)
- Eagle Man or Eagle Man of Hornby Island: Benn Kramer (Canada)
- El Bawtiah (female crocodile): Suhir El Ba’i (Egypt)
- El hombre de las aguas: Alberto Lorente (Spain)
- El Sharko: Christopher Blakeslee (USA)
- Eppie: Charlotte Epstein (USA)
- Father Dan: Dan Herron (USA)
- Father of Modern Surfing: George Freeth (USA)
- Father of Surfing: Duke Kahanamoku (Hawaii)
- Father of Swimming: Leroy Sparks (USA)
- Fatman: Kelly Gneiting (USA)
- Flipperless Fil: Phil White (USA)
- Fish man or Fishman: Martin Strel (Slovenia)
- Flipper: Aly White (Canada)
- Fly Guy: Brian Suddeth (USA)
- Flying Dutchman: Herman Willemse (Netherlands)
- Flying Fish of the Island City: Bryon Summers (USA)
- Frigate of Tunisia: Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia)
- Frozen Flying Dutchman: Fergil Hesterman (Netherlands)
- Gentle Ben: Ben Huggard (USA)
- Ginja Ninja: Keith Garry (Ireland)
- Global Swimmer: Diego López Dominguez (Canary Islands)
- Godfather of Bay Swimming: Bob Roper (USA)
- Gold Medal Mel: Mel Stewart (USA)
- Greatest Native American Swimmer: Wayne William Snellgrove (USA)
- Greatest Swimmer in the World: Professor Frederick Edward Beckwith (UK)
- Grimmy: Martina Grimaldi (Italy)
- H2O Bro: Sean McGrath (USA)
- H2oward: Howard James (UK)
- Happy Helen: Helen Lin (USA)
- Hardy: Eilhard Lussier (USA)
- Heff: Dave Heffernan (USA)
- HHector: Héctor Ramírez Ballesteros (Spain)
- Hombre de Hielo: Lewis Pugh (UK)
- Homem Peixe (Portuguese): Martin Strel (Slovenia)
- Honey Badger: Lauren Weinreb (USA)
- Honey Bear: Jeff Commings (USA)
- Hopper: George Hopper McDonough (USA)
- Hudson Brothers: Jack Hudson, Calum Hudson and Robbie Hudson (UK)
- Human Iceberg: Henry Elionsky (USA)
- Human Fish: Martin Strel, Slovenia
- Human Polar Bear: Gus Brickner (USA)
- Human Polar Bear: Lewis Pugh (USA)
- Human tugboat: Charles Jackson French (USA)
- Humber King: Pete Winchester (UK)
- Hungarian Dolphin: Alfréd Hajós (Hungary)
- Ice Doc: Dr. Alexandre Fuzeau (France)
- Ice Machine: Henri Kaarma (Estonia)
- Ice Mermaid: Bárbara Hernández Huerta (Chile)
- Iceberg: Michael Hufton (UK)
- Iceman: Thomas McGann (USA)
- Icelandic Ice Maiden: Birna Hronn (Iceland)
- il Coccodrillo (The Crocodile): Paolo Donaggio Italy
- Il guerriero del mare or the Sea Warrior: Giovanni Brancato (Italy)
- Incomparable Water Comedian: Harold Herman Kruger (Hawaii)
- Iron Nun: Madonna Buder (USA)
- J Raymond the Belfast Bulldog: Jack McClelland (Ireland)
- Jappy: Jabez Wolffe (UK)
- Jazz: Jazmin Roxy Carlin (UK)
- JCR: John Coningham-Rolls (UK)
- Joan of Arch: Cheryl Zak (USA)
- John Rufwater: John Makinson (USA)
- Johnny Love: Patrick Dodd (USA)
- Joker: Wesley Metcalfe (USA)
- Joner: Jonathan Strauss (USA)
- Kiko: Francisco José Hervás Jodar (Spain)
- Killer: Ky Hurst (Australia)
- King of Midmar: Chad Ho (South Africa)
- King of the Prison Island Swims: Jacques Tuset (France)
- King of the Risk Takers: David Smith (USA)
- King of the Ukulele: Benjamin Keakahiawa Nawahi (Hawaii)
- K-Po: Kaylee Kussman (USA)
- KT: Kristy Thall (USA)
- Laddie: Hilda Sharp (UK)
- Lala: Tipalelupe Lala Toatasi Tu`ua (New Zealand)
- La Machina: Adrian Sarchet (UK)
- Legend of the River Mile: Mally Richards (South Africa)
- Leorganizer: Leora Dahl (Canada)
- Lighthouse Larry: Larry Herlth (USA)
- Limbless Waterman: Craig Dietz (USA)
- Little Brother: Jack Hudson (UK)
- Little Mermaid: Swapnil Yadav (India)
- Longy: Michael Long (Australia)
- Loneswimmer: Donal Buckley (Ireland)
- Lorla: Leora Dahl (Canada)
- Lotus: Parth Desai (USA)
- Lumbering Merman: Jack Hudson (UK)
- Mad Adam: Adam Walker (Great Britain)
- Madfish: Dee Llewellyn (UK)
- Madam Butterfly: Susan O’Neill (Australia)
- Magoo: Mark Smitherman (USA)
- Maladin (Chinese): Martin Strel (Slovenia)
- Maltese Ironman: Nicky Farrugia (Malta)
- Mambo: Gerry Rodrigues (Trinidad & Tobago/USA)
- Man of Fat Steel: Kelly Gneiting (USA)
- Mantis: Betzi Lindberg (USA)
- Memo: Guillermo Echevarría Pérez (Mexico)
- Mermaid: Rebecca Sandoval (USA)
- Mermaid In The City: Megan Susannah (UK)
- Mermaid of Miami: Merle Liivand (Estonia)
- Mermaid Merle: Merle Liivand (Estonia)
- Mermaid Mindy: Mindy Bowens (USA)
- Mick: Michael Long (Australia)
- Middle Brother: Calum Hudson (UK)
- Midget: E. Carroll Schaeffer (USA)
- Mighty Marlin: Peter Tanham (Australia)
- Mighty Mermaids: Christie Plank Ciraulo, Nancy Steadman Martin, Lisa Bennett, Jenny Cook, Karen Farnsworth Einsidler and Tracy Grilli (USA)
- Million Dollar Mermaid: Esther Williams (USA)
- Mina: Yasmin Elnaccash (USA)
- Moi: John Mark Yamoyam (Philippines)
- Monti: Montserrat Tresserras Dou (Spain)
- Moon: Reginald Huffstetler (USA)
- Moon Dude: Dr. Rand Schaal (USA)
- Moosie] Oscar Williamson (USA)
- Moreno: Juan Ignacio Martínez Fernández-Villamil (Spain)
- Mother of Women’s Swimming in America: Charlotte Epstein (USA)
- Mountain Mermaid: Eney Jones (USA)
- Mr. A: Robert Alexander (USA)
- Mr. Butterfly: Dan Projansky (USA)
- Mr. Shark Bait: Herbert Voigt (Australia)
- Mr. Swimming Hall of Fame: Buck Dawson (USA)
- Mr. Triathlon: Ahmed Zaher (USA)
- Mr. Triathlon: Jack Weiss (USA)
- Munnu: C N Janaki (India)
- Murph: Michael Renford (Australia)
- Nacho: Ignacio Bussy (Uruguay)
- Nadandolibre: Jose Diaz (Spain)
- Napa Bob: Bob Roper (USA)
- Neptune’s Daughter: Hazel Cunningham (USA)
- Nile Crocodile: Mohammed Zeytoun (Syria)
- Ohrid Dolphin: Atina Bojadži Macedonian Yugoslavia
- Old Man of the Sea: Ned Barnie (Scotland)
- ORCA: Bruno Dobelmann (Germany)
- Paddlin’ Professor: Dr. Harry Briggs (USA)
- Pai: Abilio Alvaro Da Costa Couto (Brazil)
- Pai das Águas Abertas no Brasil (father of open water swimming in Brazil): Abilio Alvaro Da Costa Couto (Brazil)
- PDK: Sean Ryan (USA)
- Peppino: Giuseppe Vuotto (Italy)
- Perfect Woman: Annette Kellerman (Australia)
- Pez humano (Spanish): Martin Strel (Slovenia)
- PVK: Peter Vanderkaay (USA)
- Piaf: Edith van Dijk (Netherlands)
- Pinoy Aquaman: Ingemar Patiño Macarine (Philippines)
- Pizza: Maria Sharock (Canada)
- Popsicle: Zach Irvine (USA)
- Professor of Swimming: Frederick Cavill (UK/Australia)
- Queen of the Waves: Gertrude Ederle (USA)
- Queen Shelley: Shelley Taylor-Smith (Australia)
- Queen of Midmar: Keri-Anne Payne (GBR)
- Queen of the Chichimaun: Colleen Shields (Canada)
- Quiet Man: Mark Larson (USA)
- Red: Charles E. Silvia (USA)
- Reidy: Andrew Reid (Australia)
- Reptile: Tom Linthicum (USA)
- Reptile Brain: Tom Linthicum (USA)
- Ricky: Professor Dr. Ulrich Haevecker (Germany)
- Robbo: Brian Keenan (Ireland)
- Sea Bull: Lynton Mortensen (Australia)
- Sea Horse: Saiful Islam Rasel (Bangladesh)
- Seal: Stève Stievenart (France)
- Seaweed Streak: Murray Rose (Australia)
- Sensei: Janne Kekkonen (Finland)
- Sexy Lexie: Lexie Kelly (USA)
- Shark: Brian Ryckeman (Belgium)
- Shark man: Eric Shargo (USA)
- Shark of Quilla Creek: Pedro A Candiotti (Argentina)
- Shortcut: Paul Lindberg (USA)
- Sigi: Sigrid Thomas (Germany)
- Sirena de Hielo: Bárbara Hernández Huerta (Chile)
- Sirena del río Paraguay (Paraguay River Mermaid): María Digna Escurra de Ortellado (Paraguay)
- Sister Madonna: Madonna Buder (USA)
- Skeletor: Sean Ryan (USA)
- Solo Swimmer: Martin Hobbs (South Africa)
- Sonar: Diana Linney (USA)
- Sonny Boy: Adolph Kiefer (USA)
- Soup: CJ Fotinos (USA)
- Spanish Bull: Diego López Dominguez (Spain)
- Spanky: William Gibson (USA)
- Sparky: Mark Hamilton (Ireland)
- Speedo Diplomat: Lewis Pugh (USA)
- Spooky: Luke Birch (Great Britain)
- Squalo delle Eolie: Giovanni Brancato (Italy)
- Squalo dello Stretto (Shark of the Strait): Nino Musciumarra (Italy)
- Squeaky: Faith Irvine (USA)
- Squirrel: Ben Rotherham (USA)
- Squirt: Rendy Lynn Opdycke (USA)
- Stallion: John Chung (USA)
- Steady Eddie: Edmond Irwin (Ireland)
- Sticks: Bill Tricker (Australia)
- Stubby: Harold Herman Kruger (Hawaii)
- Sugar Baby: René Martínez (Mexico)
- Sultan of Swim: Gerry Rodrigues (USA/Trinidad & Tobago)
- Sumo Runner: Jack Berkery (USA)
- Superfly: Leora Dahl (Canada)
- Sweats: Matt Georgy (USA)
- Swim Diesel: Michael Kenny (USA)
- Swim Gypsy: Tiffany McQueen (USA)
- Swimming Professor: Frederick Cavill (UK/Australia)
- Swimonelli: Dan Simonelli (USA)
- Syrian Torpedo: Mohammed Zeytoun (Syria)
- The American Queen of the English Channel: Marcella MacDonald (USA)
- The Assassin: Hau-Li Fan (Canada)
- The Assassin: William Walters (Canada)
- The Asian Seal: Jo O-Ryeon (Korea)
- The Barge: Jim Barber (USA)
- The Beast: Ken Mignosa (USA)
- The Brave Swimmer: Gideon Nasilowski (Namibia)
- The Bullet: Peter Bolger (Ireland)
- The Courtesy Man: Jim Moran (USA)
- The Craziest Man in the World: Martin Strel (Slovenia)
- The Duke: Duke Kahanamoku (Hawaii)
- The Extreme: Rob Van Geen (USA)
- The Father of American Swimming: Adolph Kiefer (USA)
- The Fearless Frogman: Paul Boyton (Ireland or USA)
- The Flying Fish: Byron Summers (USA)
- The Flying Frenchman: Sylvain Estadieu (France)
- The Gladiator: Thomas Noblett (UK)
- The Goat: Jeremy Porter Linn (USA)
- The Grease Man: Barrie Wakeham (UK)
- The Greatest Lady Swimmer in the World: Agnes Beckwith (UK)
- The Human Fish: Charles Zibleman (USA)
- The Human Tugboat: Jim Dreyer (USA)
- The Iceman: Sam Silver (USA)
- The King: Claudio Plit (Argentina)
- The King: Diego Degano (Argentina)
- The King: Paul Asmuth (USA)
- The Legless Wonder: Charles Zibleman (USA)
- The Machine: John Kinsella (USA)
- The Machine: Braden Keith (USA)
- The Machine: Maddy Israel (USA)
- The Machine Men: Brian Ross, Chris Kraus, Rick Gaenzle (USA)
- The Man: Dave Scott (USA)
- The Man Who Can Walk On Water: George Freeth (USA)
- The Merthyr Mermaid: Catherine Pendleton (Wales)
- The Mother of Masters Swimming: June Krauser (USA)
- The No Excuses Blind Guy: Drew Hunthausen (USA)
- The Northumberland Man: Jeremy Davidson (Canada)
- The Odd Couple: Mark Rew (USA) and Brian Suddeth (USA)
- The Puerto Rican Aquaman: Orlando Fernández (Puerto Rico)
- The Rocket: Jim Clifford (USA)
- The Seaweed Streak: Murray Rose (Australia)
- The Shark: Jim Dreyer (USA)
- The Shingle Stomper: Barrie Wakeham (UK)
- The Swimming Gardener: Steve White (UK)
- The Swimming Grandfather: William Sadlo, Jr. (USA)
- The Swimming Hun: Gábor Molnár (Hungary)
- The Swimming Professor: Professor Dr. Andreas Fath (Germany)
- The Unstoppable Turtle: Robbie Hudson (UK)
- The Tabasco Shark: Damián Píza Beltrán (Mexico)
- The Tractor: Michael Gregory (Australia)
- The Voice of Long Beach: Rob Webb (USA)
- Thorpedo: Ian Thorpe (Australia)
- Thorpey: Ian Thorpe (Australia)
- Tiburón: Victor Contreras (Chile)
- Tiger Twins: Jonathon di Donato and James di Donato (USA)
- Torpedo Tom: Tom Blower (Great Britain)
- Trento: Trent Grimsey (Australia)
- Tricky Blicky: Kevin Blick (UK)
- Tuna: Charles Chapman, Jr. (USA)
- Turbo: Noah Rowan (USA)
- Tums: Arthur Cavill (Australia)
- Urban Mermaid: Lindsey Cole (UK)
- Val: Eric Vallintine (UK)
- Viper: Pete Pettigrew (USA)
- Wandi: Christof Wandratsch (Germany)
- Waterbabi: Brooke Bennett (USA)
- Water Rat: Karl Hauter (Germany)
- Wild Swimming Brothers: Jack Hudson, Calum Hudson and Robbie Hudson (UK)
- Wild Welsh Swimmer: Laura Sanderson (Wales)
- Vivien: Zhange Liang (China)
- Yasu: Yasunari Hirai (Japan)
- Yifter: Steven Munatones (USA)
- Zabca (Slovene which means frog): Martin Strel (Slovenia)
- Zimhippo: Graeme Schlachter (Zimbabwe]]
- Zimmy: Charles Zibleman (USA)
- Zimmy the Human Fish: Charles Zibleman (USA)
- Zombies: Zach Irvine, Faith Irvine, Kaylee Kussman, Matt Georgy, Diana Linney, Paul Lindberg, Maddy Israel, CJ Fotinos, Lauren Weinreb, Wesley Metcalfe, Parth Desai, Noah Rowan, Betzi Lindberg, Cheryl Zak, Dan Simonelli
Do you know other nicknames not include in this list above? If so, please send via email to contact@openwaterswimming.com.
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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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