Photos on left show International Marathon Swimming Hall of Famers George Young (1927), a world champion of Catalina Channel fame, and Sunny Lowry (1933) of English Channel fame who provided leadership for years in their racing gear.

The pioneers of the sport were true heroes in every sense of the word.

George and Sunny help set the bar to which modern-day heroes like Fran Crippen of the USA and Olympic star Shane Gould, who started her swimming career in Fiji and now organizes open water swims in Tasmania, ably carry on.

The focus of heroes, the inherent courage that they show and the camaraderie they share with their fellow competitors continue to this day.

The similarities have not changed.

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