Events

WOWSA Certified Events

Support race directors in providing the highest standard for safety and organization

The purpose of the WOWSA Certified Events is to:

1. Support race directors in providing the highest standard for safety and organization
2. Market each Certified Event to our global audience of open water swimmers
3. Officially ratify each swimmer’s accomplishment

Certified Event Process

Application
Apply to be a WOWSA Certified Event here or below (no fee)

Review Phase

  • WOWSA to provide feedback and recommendations where necessary
  • WOWSA to provide safety module to all organizers

After Approval

Approved events pay $250 Certification Fee + $30* per swimmer (*swimmer price adjustment available for certain events according to the registration fees)

Certified Event Includes:

  • WOWSA Pro membership for race directors & staff ($29 value per person)
  • Access to the Safety for All course
  • WOWSA Certified Event Certificate & Badge for event website
  • Dedicated WOWSA page with official race results
  • WOWSA Pro membership for all swim participants ($29 value per person)
  • Co-branded Ratification certificate & social card for each swim participant
  • Review of safety plan and course and planning documentation with expert recommendations
  • In-depth profile previewing the event prior to & recapping the event after in the Daily News of Open Water Swimming
  • If in the US, an introduction to a reliable and budget friendly insurance provider

WOWSA Certified Events Agree to:

Abide by WOWSA Rules & Regulations
Submit event results as soon as available

 

Package

Certified Events

What is included in your certified event package

WOWSA Pro Membership

Featured in Upcoming Events in the WOWSA Directory with a link to your website. Plus unlimited pro membership for staff and coaches affiliated with your event.

Race Results

A dedicated page on WOWSA with professionally formatted results. See an example here.

Certified Event Badge

Showcase your WOWSA Certification with a badge on your website and marketing materials. There are color and white versions in JPG, PNG and SVG.

Certified Event Certificate

Certificate signed by the WOWSA Board of Directors indicating your official event certification.

Pro Membership for Swimmers

Each swimmer participating in your event will receive a Swim Community Pro Listing where they can document their swim journey, showcase their achievements. There is an internal messenger app so swimmers can chat privately.

Certificate & Social Card

Each swimmer will receive a co-branded (with your logo as well) certificate and social card recognizing their achievement in completing your event. We can adjust card to your branding.

News Promotion

Certified events will be featured in the Daily News of Open Water Swimming once before the event to encourage registration and once after the event with a link to the results. Also shares on all our social media channels and groups. See our statistics.

Safety For All Course

Certified Events and their staff will receive access to the WOWSA Safety For All online course to help provide the highest standard of safety.

WOWSA

Certified Events

Fill in the form below to apply to become a certified event

WOWSA History

  • The World Open Water Swimming Association was founded by Steven Munatones in 2005 as a means to support marathon swimming in anticipation of the 10k Marathon Swim at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.
  • Since 2005, over 20,000 articles have been published documenting the athletic achievements, competitive events, and open water trends, rules, history and results around the world in open water swimming.
  • WOWSA has a global directory of over 22,000 swimmers, 1,780 coaches, and 5,500 events, as well as a mailing list of over 20,000 individuals and a social media following of over 30,000 that help to amplify event marketing.

Please view the WOWSA Rules and Regulations