UltraMarathon
2022 UltraMarathon Swim Series
The World's Coldest, Hardest, Longest, Toughest, Most Extreme Swims
By, for and about ultramarathon and extreme swimmers
Mission:
Organize and promote the world’s coldest, hardest, longest, toughest, most extreme open water swims
Motto:
By, for, and about ultramarathon and extreme open water swimmers
Purpose:
- Support race directors to market, promote, and sponsor the sport on a global scale
- Replace and expand the former FINA UltraMarathon Swim Series that no longer exists
- Increase exposure and sponsorship of marathon and extreme swims and swimmers
- Continue the goodwill and history of marathon swimming – from the WPMSF (World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation) to the IMSA (International Marathon Swimming Association) to the FINA TOWSC (Technical Open Water Swimming Association)
- Recruit and vet amateur swimmers to create a pro-am global series
History & Reinvention
The sport of professional marathon swimming has traditionally reinvented itself every 20 – 30 years. The sport is entering the Fifth Generation of Marathon Swimming
First Generation in the 1920’s: The first major heyday of marathon swimming was in the 1920’s with a global awareness of channel swimming (English Channel and Catalina Channel) and marathon competitions (CNN).
Second Generation in the 1950’s: The next major cycle was in the 1950’s with English Channel races and other marathon competitions around the world.
Third Generation in the 1970’s: The next cycle was in the 1970’s with the emergence of the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation.
Fourth Generation in the 1990’s: The next cycle began in the 1990’s with the absorption of the historic professional marathon swims by FINA.
Fifth Generation in the 2020’s: 2022 will emerge as the next major cycle as the 2008 Olympic marathon swim served as the catalyst for an unprecedented explosion in marathon swimmers around the world, currently over 22,000 professional and amateur athletes.
