1,500 winter swimmers from 40 countries are expected to compete in the following races: 25m head-up breaststroke, 50m head-up breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke, 25m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 25m butterfly, 4x25m head-up breaststroke relay, 4x25m freestyle relay, 4x25m national team combined relay, Super Finals in 25m head-up breaststroke, 25m freestyle, 25m butterfly, non-timed 25m Seal swim, non-timed 50m Polar Bear swim, and the Young Seal dip. Disabled swimmer categories are included.
The Victoria Winter Swimming Club is the championship host. Since 2019, Victoria has organized international winter swimming competitions that includes the 2021 Russian Championships where a competition pool measuring 25m x 22m was cut out to make a 10-lane 25m swimming pool.
For those new to the winter swimming community, the International Winter Swimming Association uses an alphanumeric system to designate its competitive age groups in its sanctioned international winter swimming competitions. The designations are as follows:
Shorter races: 25m + 50m + 100m breaststroke and freestyle + 25m butterfly events
A1 – from November 1st 2007 and later: under 15 years
A2 – from November 1st 2002 to October 31st 2007: 15-19 years
B – from November 1st 1992 to October 31st 2002: 20-29 years
C – from November 1st 1982 to October 31st 1992: 30-39 years
D – from November 1st 1977 to October 31st 1982: 40-44 years
E – from November 1st 1972 to October 31st 1977: 45-49 years
F – from November 1st 1967 to October 31st 1972: 50-54 years
G – from November 1st 1962 to October 31st 1967: 55-59 years
H – from November 1st 1957 to October 31st 1962: 60-64 years
I – from November 1st 1952 to October 31st 1957: 65-69 years
J – from November 1st 1947 to October 31st 1952: 70-74 years
J1 – from November 1st 1942 to October 31st 1947: 75-79 years
J2 – from November 1st 1942 and earlier: 80 years and older
Longer races: 200m + 450m + 1000m events
A – from November 1st 2002 to swim entry date: 18-19 years
B – from November 1st 1992 to October 31st 2002: 20-29 years
C – from November 1st 1982 to October 31st 1992: 30-39 years
D – from November 1st 1977 to October 31st 1982: 40-44 years
E – from November 1st 1972 to October 31st 1977: 45-49 years
F – from November 1st 1967 to October 31st 1972: 50-54 years
G – from November 1st 1962 to October 31st 1967: 55-59 years
H – from November 1st 1957 to October 31st 1962: 60-64 years
I – from November 1st 1952 to October 31st 1957: 65-69 years
J – from November 1st 1947 to October 31st 1952: 70-74 years
Breaststroke relays: 4×25 meters
BR1 – 150 years (total age of team)
BR2 – 151-200 years (total age of team)
BR3 – 201-250 years (total age of team)
BR4 – 251+ years (total age of team)
Freestyle relays: 4×25 meters
FR1 – 150 years (total age of team)
FR2 – 151-200 years (total age of team)
FR3 – 201-250 years (total age of team)
FR4 – 251+ years (total age of team)
Non-competitive events
K – Polar Bears: 50m swim without timing
L – Seals: 25m swim without timing
M – Young Seals: dip in the water
For more information in IWSA events, visit iwsa.world.
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.
