While professional marathon swimmers lead an idyllic open water swimming lifestyle, many of them also work either full- or part-time. While balancing a strict regimen of training and work, they take off as much time as possible in order to travel the world and compete on the professional marathon swimming circuits. The tradition of working professionally
The pressure is on at the World Championships. Prestige, money, and pride are on the line. Athletes have trained for years for these races. Coaches have spent decades on pool decks and seashores dedicated to their athletes. Parents have spent significant money and time on nurturing their children to reach the pinnacle of the aquatic world. "You could
The World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation was an example of democracy where dozens of swimmers from dozens of countries, speaking different languages with different lifestyles and cultural backgrounds, got together annually to discuss and debate what was best for marathon swimmers. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the Federation was a
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. If there were an opportunity to magically create the perfect female open water swimmer, what would be involved? The swimmer would be able to swim well in cold water, warm water, rough water, tranquil water, in the night and under the tropical sun. She could swim well in short ocean swims with heavy surf as
Aussie Rules Swimming – Paul Newsome Carries On Courtesy of WOWSA, Manhattan Island, New York City. 14 victories since 1985. It is a rare - or never - that an athletic event in America is so dominated by Australian athletes. Marathon swimming - as in the annual Manhattan Island Marathon Swim - is one such competition. Since 1985, men and women from
“Oh s**t!” “Not bad; I can take those stings.” “It feels like a branding iron pressed into the flesh.” “They felt like little pin pricks.” “Never had I felt such pain in my life.” “It’s like a bee sting.” “The pain was unbearable; like my skin was on fire.” “They were a bit irritating, but it wasn’t such a big deal.” “The venom...it was a living hell
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. The overall winners of the Waikiki Roughwater Swim on Oahu in Hawaii include some very impressive ocean swimmers including legendary Olympic gold medalist sprinter Jim Montgomery. There have been many great races over the history of the event that inspired the swim leg of the Hawaii Ironman. In 1991 the
"Racing against men helped make me what I became," recalls Shelley Taylor-Smith, the 7-time women's world professional marathon swimming champion. "They pushed me...and the men certainly did not like to lose to a woman." "I agree," said Stephani Sharp, a pool and open water swimmer from California. "I just to had to race my brother and all these older
Who said this and what was being referred to? "...the greatest lesson to be learned which I have always felt, is the value of safety and preparedness. The ocean is an unpredictable environment with so many elements out of your control. But at the same time, there are many variables in our control that we can use to decrease the risks that we take. Most of
Craig Lenning, swimming with his American buddy Darren Miller, finished his fifth channel in the Oceans Seven challenge. With a circuitous course across the Cook Strait in 16ºC (62ºF) water in 10 hours 42 minute, the duo was helped with an all-star crew with Philip Rush and Shelley Taylor-Smith both in their escort and guide boats. Lenning wrote on
HEAVY TRAFFIC DUE TO VOTING CAUSING SLOWER LOADING TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE
