CANADA. World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation was a non-profit corporation that governed the professional marathon swimming circuit in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It was headquartered in Maryland USA when Herman Willemse (shown on right) was its President and Joe Grossman was its Secretary-Treasurer upon its adoption in 1967.
The corporation no longer exists and was replaced by various organizations in the late 1980s. Its functions are now overseen by FINA.
The comprehensive constitution of the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation, a fascinating document with many details governing the activities of marathon swimming organizations and swimmers written in 1967, is posted here.
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.