Open water swimmers throughout the world have been nationally honored for their contributions to their country over the generations. This list is incomplete.
Courtesy of Ned Denison, International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. Neville Smith was elected as an Honor Administrator in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2021. The South African has been involved in marathon and open water swimming for more than 30 years as a parent, coach, administrator and official. He has served as FINA open
Postponed...Permanently? Say It Ain't So - Uncertainty Of The Tokyo Olympics Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. It is always difficult to accurately predict future IOC decisions regarding a variety of issues. But predictions are nearly impossible of the Tokyo Olympic Games due to the impact of the global lockdown and the ongoing COVID-19
Olympian, Paralympian Natalie du Toit On WOWSA Live Courtesy of KAATSU Global, Huntington Beach, California. In a throwback episode (from January 2011) of Open Water Wednesday (the precursor to WOWSA Live), Olympian and Paralympian Natalie du Toit talks about her career. The South African broke barriers like no one else before in Olympic history. On her
Newfoundland: Sweet, Patient, Devoted Canine Swimmers Courtesy of John Murray, Ocean Beach, California. John Murray often tells athletes who he trains about the mindset of disabled dogs. "A three-legged dog doesn't care it is missing a leg. He runs with the other dogs; he goes and fetches sticks or balls. He goes all-out, happy to be able to run and
Turning For The Best: A Heroic Life Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Natalie du Toit is undoubtedly one of the most unique Olympic swimmers in history. The amputee qualified for the 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim in Beijing and finished 4th in the 10 km race at the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Championships despite her handicap. Her
Courtesy of WOWSA, Life Saving Exhibition Lake, St. Louis, Missouri. Many open water swimmers can be defined as fascinating people on dryland. At the initial Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the marathon swimming finalists included Dr. Edith van Dijk who is a Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau with a Doctorate in Economy from
Courtesy of 7Q2 about Natalie du Toit, circa 2015. An interview by 7Q2 here with the only amputee in Olympic swimming history to final in an Olympic swimming event, Natalie du Toit of South Africa in the 2008 Beijing 10 km marathon swim. She not only finished fourth in the 2008 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships 10 km and 16th at the Olympic 10K
Courtesy of Joanna Langfield about her grandmother Ida Elionsky and great uncle Henry Elionsky. The sport of open water swimming is unique in the world of athletics and extreme sports. While men are often the most dominant figures in any given sport, open water swimming has long been influenced by women from pioneers like Annette Kellerman and Ida
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Over 3,000 signatories know the unexpected is expected in the open water. No one expected South African Natalie du Toit to qualify for the 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim final...with only one leg. No one believed Maarten van der Weijden to win the 2012 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim...after coming back from
