Catalina Channel swimmers know it … the stillness of night swimming when bioluminescence is visible on the water’s surface and a dark calm settles over the ocean.
Early morning swimmers – from Michigan to Melbourne, Manila to Messina – know it … the quiet serenity of the pre-dawn hours when darkness blankets the water and peacefulness quiets the soul.
The Henley Swim Classic captures and packages that tranquility for the many who wish to participate in a pre-dawn celebration of open water swimming. Tom Kean and Jeremy Laming, two oarsman, organize one of the most unusual swims on Henley On Thames in Oxfordshire, England on a rowing course.
“Everyone can swim against the stream between the rower’s ‘booms’ used in the Henley Royal Regatta. Stunning scenery and the hour of day make for an unforgettable experience both for swimmers and spectators, who can follow the whole race, up-close, on the tow-path.”
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.