The purpose of the World Open Water Swimming Association is to support and promote open water swimmers in their pursuit of individual and team goals in the open water swimming world.

Solo swimmers and relays (up to 6 individual swimmers per relay) who wish to receive a ratification from the World Open Water Swimming Association must follow the WOWSA Rules & Regulations as listed here: Rules & Regulations

WOWSA Ratification Process

Once you purchase Swim Ratification, you will be directed to a page with one form.

Q&A

WOWSA supports everyone who ventures beyond the shore, no matter their speed, walk of life, conditions, circumstances or equipment they use. The types of swims that are supported, reviewed and ratified by WOWSA include the following:

1. Traditional open water swims
2. Traditional marathon swims
3. Traditional channel swims
4. Assisted open water swims with any kind of equipment (e.g., wetsuits, fins, hand paddles, neoprene caps, tow floats, MP3 players or audio equipment, flotation devices, snorkels), Garmin watches or navigational gear).
5. Downstream swims.
6. Whirlpool swims.
7. Circumnavigation swims.
8. Stage swims.
9. Transoceanic swims.
10. Non-escorted swims.
11. Adventure and wild swims.
12. High-altitude swims.
13. Cold water swims with or without equipment
14. Traditional relays
15. Assisted relays
16. Mass participation races
17. Professional marathon races
18. Charity swims or relays
19. Extreme or expedition swims
20. Dark or night swims
21. Perimeter swims
22. Tandem swims or group tandem swims
23. Low altitude swim
24. Contiguous or non-contiguous stage swim
25. Non-freestyle swim (e.g., butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, individual medley, sidestroke or combat stroke)

These swims can be held in any open body of water: oceans, seas, bays, rivers, fjords, estuaries, lochs, lakes, rowing basins, lidos, dams, reservoirs, canals, channels, coves, firths, sounds, straits, or harbors.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to submit a pre-swim plan to be considered for official ratification?

A: No, while we’d prefer to be helpful early in the planning process, if you’d already done a remarkable swim and want official credit, simply fill out the post-swim ratification form

Q: What if my attempt does not go according to plan?

A: WOWSA believes unsuccessful or DNF (Did Not Finish) attempts are important to document and study in order for the next swimmer or next attempt to learn how to succeed. WOWSA will recognize these attempts with a special designation, including the following scenarios:

• Swim was modified en route and differed from the original plan / course due to unforeseen circumstances, safety considerations, or inclement weather or water conditions as long as the differences are described and thoroughly documented in the final submission.
• Swim resulted in a DNF (Did Not Finish) as long as the duration and distance in the water is described and thoroughly documented in the final submission

Q: How long will it take for my swim to be ratified?

A: We do our best to reply to your submission within 48 hours