Captain Don Jones and Penny Palfrey Teaming Up in Hawaii

7.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Solo Challenges   |  (1) comments

Penny Palfrey gave some additional insight into her 72-mile swim across the Kaieiewaho Channel between the islands of Oahu and Kauai. "My escort boat pilot is Captain Don Jones who lives on Kauai. He runs a charter fishing boat, the June Louise, and will be in touch with the local fishermen to get as much information about the currents as possible before and during my swim."

"I hope to begin my swim in the morning sometime, so I’m able to get a night’s sleep before the start. The exact time will depend on the day we swim and what the tides are doing on that day. I’ll be taking advice from Captain Don and my crew."

Her crew will include Forest Nelson, Bill Goding, Neil Vaughan, Jeff and, possibly, her husband, Chris - who will be attempting his own difficult swim in the Molokai Channel that same week.

Penny will certainly be in excellent hands.

Sea What We Are Creating

6.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Events   |  (0) comments

Dan Martin who will set off this April on his Global Triathlon by swimming from New York to France, has to mitigate risks in a variety of ways.

Including, evidently, running into trash.

And lots and lots of it.

Sea Education Association oceanographer Kara Lavender Law, the Chief Scientist on many educational voyages in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, revealed the discovery of a 1600K garbage patch in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean at the American Geophysical Union’s 2010 Ocean Sciences meeting this February.


Kara reported that billions of pieces of plastic trash have accumulated in a massive garbage patch in the Atlantic Ocean, similar to the the growing plastic vortex in the Pacific Ocean and, similarly, posing health risks to fish, seabirds and marine animals.

The debris can circulate for years, accumulating as the result of ocean currents.

Student researchers with the Sea Education Association discovered the makeup of the patch, made up of mostly very tiny pieces of trash that came from consumer product litter either blown off open landfills or directly disposed of in the ocean.

Graeme Schlachter, Jumping In Feet First

6.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Swimmers   |  (0) comments

Graeme Schlachter aka ZimHippo became the third Zimbabwean to successful swim the English Channel. Graeme, a relative newcomer to marathon swimming, just jumped in cold-turkey.

But when he jumped in, he jumped in all the way. "I had absolutely no desire to swim the English Channel before I decided to take it on."

Q1. Where do you train?
ZimHippo: I generally train at the gym during the winter months with my masters class about 3 times a week. During the summer, I train at some lakes where there are a lot of triathletes who train and they all look at me a bit weirdly when I arrive at 6 am in just a costume while they are all kitted out like they are swimming the Arctic.

Q2. What have you seen in your training swims?
ZimHippo: Dolphins, seals and jellyfish are the animals that I have seen. With regards to observing other swimmers on long training swims, swimmers plodding through the miles, hanging around protected walls in harbours as it is not so rough there. I must admit this is a bit difficult to answer as I am usually lost in thoughts about making every stroke as good as it can be.

Q3. Has any creature ever scared you on your training swims?
ZimHippo: No creature has ever scared me - even when the seals come and nibble your toes or nudge you while you are swimming. There has been the odd piece of floating wood/debris that has had me a bit concerned. When I used to swim in Africa, the lakes were generally fairly muddy or, for want of a better word "opaque" and often riddled with weeds of some description and having those wrap around your legs when you are swimming can set the heart racing a bit.

Q4. Do you have training partners or escorts when you do your swim?
ZimHippo: Generally no. I do enjoy swimming with others, but do not really stick together. If I do long swims on my own, it will generally be in lakes, close to the coast so I can get out if I need to. When doing long swims in the pool I do it in solitude. I don't really like people to train with me when I am focused on a long set in the pool. I will always train with a watch and monitor my times throughout the whole set. I personally think escorts can be more of a hinderance than a help and take focus away from my swimming. I do understand the necessity of them in really long swims, but generally I would prefer not to have them for the 5 - 10K swims. As for training partners, again I would prefer not to have them unless they swim at a very similar speed to me as I feel obliged to wait for slower swimmers.

Q5. What is the water temperature where you swim?
ZimHippo: The temperature of the indoor pool that I swim at is a balmy 26°C (78°F). I can't do more than about 10K maximum before my body starts to overheat. Lakes and oceans is gnerally between 10-17°C (50-62°F). This is when I do my 6+ hour swims.

Q6. How do/did you become acclimated to colder water?
ZimHippo: The first time I had ever been in cold water was about 4 months before my swim. Acclimatizing for this, I set myself a goal of not wearing a jersey or fleece throughout the previous winter. Even when the temperatures went below freezing, I would be out and about in my t-shirt and maybe a gillet to protect my back from the wind. Cold baths - not very nice in mid-winter - but all for a good cause. I would say that I have a very good propensity to deal with the cold and when I was swimming in cold water, it was only about the first 5 minutes that I felt it until my body started to generate its own heat. I was amazed that I did not suffer more with the cold and the salt water as I hate the taste of it.

Q7. What are your next plans?
ZimHippo: Sadly, some of my friends felt a bit left out, so last year and this year I have not done much open water swimming as I have been focusing on other challenges - Extreme5Challenge. Going forward I would like to do Lake Windermere, the Robin Island Swim in South Africa, a double English Channel swim, the Strait of Gibraltar and, if I can talk my wife around, I would like to go and swim in the Arctic Circle before it becomes too tropical to swim there. I am proabably going to put a team together to do a relay Channel swim. Th 580K Lake Malawi [that sits between western Mozambique, eastern Malawi and southern Tanzania] is another swim that I would like to do. I think, to date it has not been done.

Q8. Do you ever go down to South Africa and train with all the cold-water swimmers in Cape Town?
ZimHippo: Sadly I do not really go down there that often as I am now based in the UK. I grew up in Zimbabwe, so my swims there were predominantly in quarries, lakes and pools and rivers. I do keep in touch with some of the swimmers in South Africa that have done the English Channel and hope to go and swim with them one day.

Saving The Man in the Gray Suit

6.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Events   |  (0) comments

Of all the athletic communities around the world besides surfers, divers, there is probably no other community that has a greater apprehension about fish than open water swimmers.

Fish (aka sharks, The Man in the Gray Suit, Mack, Old Toothy, Garbage Can of the Sea or The Landlord) is a term not lightly used on marathon swims in many of the world's 5 oceans.

However, there is an important vote and campaign underway to help protect these creatures. As Doug Woodring, race director for the The Clean Half 15K Extreme Relay pleads, "Please help the sharks. They have no vote, but you do. We only have two weeks to get the word out before the CITES vote in Doha."

"Please help us to show the world that we care about sharks. On March 13th, in Doha, the UNEP Cites committee will meet to vote to put eight sharks on the CITES endangered species list. They might not think anyone is watching or cares. We want to show them that we do care and that we are watching what happens with their vote. Please place your vote here and spread this far and wide. Sharks have no voice, or no vote. We need to do it for them. This is sponsored and created by the Hong Kong Shark Foundation, located in the heart of the world's global shark fin trade. Let's show the world that we care."

Although open water swimmers view sharks as man-eating predators, sharks are the top ocean predators with a crucial role in the marine food chain. They serve to remove weak and injured animals and to act as a cleanup crew. These activities help regulate species strength and abundance and, as such, play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

Watch this Rethink the Shark video here.

Penny Palfrey To Take Off From Ka’ena Point

5.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Solo Challenges   |  (0) comments

Penny Palfrey gave a fascinating interview to Hawaiian adventure trainer Jeff Kozlovich about her 72-mile swim across the Kaieiewaho Channel between the islands of Oahu and Kauai.

With plans for a late April window, Penny will take off when the conditions warrant.

The article is here where Penny divulges where she will start (Ka'ena Point) and who will be on her escort boat (Forest Nelson, Bill Goding, Neil Vaughan, Jeff and, possibly, her husband, Chris). It is quite an entertaining and enlightening interview.

Ka'ena Point is the quite the magical - and treacherous - point to begin this adventure. Kaʻena Point is the westernmost tip of land on Oahu and is a Natural Area Reserve to protect the almost extinct Nene birds (the Hawaiian state bird). According to Hawaiian folklore, Kaʻena Point is the jumping-off point for souls leaving this world.

Penny will certainly be jumping off into history as she will be the second person - after Jonathan Ezer in 1974 - to attempt this swim of epic proportions.

During the winter months, Kaʻena Point is pounded by waves up to 49 feet (15 meters) with reports of waves with 60–80 foot (18–24 meter) faces with dangerous rip currents and other hazardous ocean conditions.

But one of the world's greatest living adventurers will be in excellent hands.

More photos of Ka'ena Point can be seen here.

Swimming for the Wounded Warriors

5.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Solo Challenges   |  (0) comments

On May 24th, six swimmers will cross the Sea of Cortez in Mexico in an attempt to break the world record for the longest continuous relay swim under English Channel rules (6 swimmers in same rotation without substitutes and wetsuits).

An attempt was made last year, but the effort was stopped due to severe weather conditions.

This year, the swim will benefit Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors.

The first swimmer will take off from the the GranSueno Resort on the Baja California peninsula with the last swimmer expected to arrive at Mexican mainland Mexico 70 hours later.

Follow them live with their real-time GPS tracking and streaming video will be available here.

Vito Bialla, a Vietnam veteran and CEO of Bialla & Associates, says, "By completing this swim and raising money for Wounded Warrior Project, we can make a huge difference for our injured heroes when they return home. It’s an absolute privilege to help our returning wounded warriors."

The team of six swimmers consists of Vito, Paul Lundgren, Christine Gonzalez, Nora Toledano, Monica Ramirez and Edna Llorens.

In support of this grand effort, the luxury GranSueno Resort is offering the opportunity to make a fully tax deductible donation of US$10,000 that will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. The donation will enable benefactors to spend a week in one of the resort’s nine private villas with unlimited food and beverages, transportation, golf, tennis, kayaks, snorkeling, equestrian facilities and a spa treatment included.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones

Setting the Stage in the Serpentine

3.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Races   |  (1) comments

The Serpentine is the venue for the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim and the swim leg of the triathlon at the 2012 London Olympics.

Both races of supreme endurance will be watched by upwards to 100,000 fans and spectators in the centre of London within the grounds of the famous Hyde Park.

The Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park has enjoyed a colorful history after it was created by Queen Caroline in 1730. The Olympic course will be held in the eastern half of the lake to the east of the Serpentine Bridge which marks the boundary between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and drains out by an underground flow to the River Thames. The Serpentine's names comes from its snakelike, curving shape and is home of the highly respected Serpentine Swimming Club.

Sam Greetham, a representative of British Swimming and nominee for the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, not only helped design the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim course within a rowing basin at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but he also is prepared the design of the open water course on the Serpentine for the 2012 London Olympics.

"It’s an unbelievable honor - not just for myself, but also for the town of Scarborough and for the sport I love," explained the always humble and thoughtful Sam to the Scarborough Evening News.

With an eye for detail, an utmost concern for the athletes and a keen sense of the global interest in open water swimming, Sam is open water swimming's equivalent of a movie set designer:

He sets the stage and then lets the stars showcase their talents.

Emilio Casanueva

2.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Swimmers   |  (1) comments

The founder and inspirational leader of the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association, Emilio Casanueva, has resigned and the reins of the Association have now been handed to Scott Zornig with an expanded board.

"Emilio has recently moved [back] to Chile [his homeland]. We are forever grateful to Emilio for starting our organization and tuning it into what it is today. Prior to the formation of the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association, only 9 swims were recorded in the Channel islands (excluding Catalina).)"

"During Emilio's four years as President of the Association, 37 swims were successfully completed including several first-time swims. We wish Emilio all the best and hope to see him conquer another channel island in the near future. Emilio and his immediate family are safe after the tragic earthquake in Chile this week," explained new president Scott.

Scott also announced the 2010 Association Fees which include an official observer and insurance:

Solo Swim with registration by May 1st (and price after May 1st):

Single solo crossing: US$500 (US$750)
Double solo crossing: US$750 (US$1,000)
Triple solo crossing: US$1,000 (US$1,250)

Relay Swim with registration by May 1st (and price after May 1st):

Single relay crossing: US$900 (US$900)
Double relay crossing: US$600 (US$1,200)
Triple relay crossing: US$1,200 (US$1,500)

Scott (shown on left) also announce the following new members to the Board of Directors: Jim Fitzpatrick (Laguna Hills, California), Jane Cairns (Santa Barbara, California), Lynn Kubiask (Laguna Beach, California), Dave Van Mouwerik (San Luis Obispo, California) and Dale Mercker (Louisville, Kentucky) who join returning board members: Scott Zornig (Coto de Caza, California), Dean White (Santa Barbara, California), Nick Caine (Atherton, California) and Ned Dennison (Ireland). The board's mission is to see that the history of swims to, from and around the 7 channel island (excluding Catalina Island) is preserved and to promote safe swims from these islands.

From what we have seen, they have done a great job so far and the future remains bright as ever.

The Hearts and Hospitality of the Olympic Hosts

2.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: History   |  (0) comments

In the afterglow of the Vancouver Olympics, we still smile at the similarities between the winter sports and open water swimming.

It was cool to see how the team pursuit speed skaters are similar to open water relays.

It was cool to see how the physicality and mishaps of short-track speed skaters are similar to what happens at elite open water races.

It was cool to see how the lessons of teamwork of Nordic cross-country skiers can be applied to the open water world.

But it was especially cool to see this video about the Vancouver Olympics from the Canadian perspective (click here).

It is a wonderfully poignant view of the power of the collective experience that the Olympics offers the host country.

Is Open Water Swimming the Next Big Idea for USA Swimming?

1.Mar.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Swimmers   |  (0) comments

Is the sun setting - or is the day breaking - for open water swimming in the USA?

USA Swimming is looking for a bunch of Big Ideas for its membership to help it continue its success in the 21st century.

The sports needs your support and seeks your input.

As Executive Director Chuck Wielgus explained, "USA Swimming is looking for your help to find the 'Big Idea' for the future of the organization and the sport and SwimNetwork will serve as the forum for comments, voting and the opportunity to submit your ideas. Past Big Ideas have been the creation of the Golden Goggle Awards, Duel in the Pool, the Club Development Division, Make a Splash, and more."

We were very happy to note that open water swimming is one of the possible Next Big Ideas for USA Swimming.

But they need your help in this public online discussion. Big Idea #6 is Open Water Growth where the proposal is to develop strategies that use open water swimming as a means for growing participation and membership, in a similar way to road/distance running (which draws in recreational runners as opposed to competitive track athletes).

Please take the time to voice your opinion here.

Neoprene in the Open Water World

28.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Products & Equipment   |  (0) comments

Despite all the recent controversy over technical swimsuits and the strong opposition from many coaches, swimmers, historians and administrators in the swimming world against the use of technical swimsuits and wetsuits in the open water, it is undeniable that wetsuits have enabled many hundreds of thousands of people to try - and enjoy - open water swimming.

History tells us that Dan Empfield, the founder of the highly popular website SlowTwitch, was responsible for this introduction of neoprene in the world of open water swimming, although his focus was on triathlons.

A highly successful entrepreneur and early leader in the world of triathlons, Dan also created Quintana Roo and specialty triathlon bicycles in the late 1980's. His early wetsuits provided the buoyancy, warmth and protection that newcomers to the sport of triathlon sought and greatly appreciated. Suddenly and steadily, droves of individuals took to triathlons and the open water. As the decade of the 1990's ended, the total number of wetsuit-clad triathletes outnumbered the open water swimming traditionalists.

Fortunately and not surprising, the market continues to offer something to both ends of the neoprene spectrum with race directors worldwide providing both wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.

What Dan Empfield started, Colin Hill, the innovative and energetic race director of the Great Swims as only one example, has taken to whole new level as the sport of open water swimming expands its reach.

Colin's perspective is interesting and enlightening because he is a proven English Channel swimmer, doing a 10:30 English Channel crossing without a wetsuit - only hours after he managed a race where thousands enjoyed the warmth and buoyancy that wetsuits offer.

"Great Swim has adopted a very open view on what people wear at our events. For the masses, unless the location dictates (Royal Victoria Dock is compulsory), wetsuits are optional if it is over 15°C. I wanted to get away from forcing people into wearing something that don’t want to. The water temperature at our events is between 16° and 18°C."

"Regarding the elite swimmers, we want to encourage elite athletes to race in our events. Some pool swimmers just don’t like the cold, plus we have triathletes taking part. If wetsuits are optional, then all the elites have to wear a wetsuit due to the advantages with a wetsuit than a pair of trunks. This is fine, although some of the more seasoned open water swimmers aren’t too keen on wetsuits, they are happy over a one mile."

"In my triathlon days, I raced in Europe where wetsuits were banned as the water felt like a bath. So putting all thoughts of sponsors and what the swimmers, coaches and managers want is right. At what point should we say, its too warm, don’t wear a wetsuit? I’ve done a short session in a pool in a wetsuit, but I couldn’t last very long. So is 25°C the maximum [allowable] limit? Or do we just not have a maximum limit and let them boil for 17 minutes? We don’t want rules for the sake of it, but safety and well-being of athletes are my concerns."

But traditionalists need not be alarmed as the English Channel and all the world's major marathon swims remain true to their non-neoprene roots. Similarly, races like those produced by NYC Swim and many races in Australia outlaw anything remotely offering buoyancy, warmth or compression panels. Other races, like the RCP Tiburon Mile in San Francisco, have a combination of rules that accommodate both the wetsuit- and non-wetsuit-clad athlete.

So whether you enjoy the challenge of open water swimming in a wetsuit or naked (i.e., without a wetsuit), there is a competition for you.

But Dan's original vision - keeping people warm and buoyant - was quickly accepted in the triathlon world and has gradually extended its reach to the vast world of the open water. And according to the official lore on American television (on the popular TV show called Jeopardy), Dan is the answer.

Copyright © 2010 by WOWSA

Open Water Pursuit

28.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Events   |  (0) comments

We have been enjoying the 2010 Vancouver Olympiers on TV and have observed how similar short-track speed skating is to open water racing.

We also observed how tactical the Nordic skiers are and their lessons for competitive open water swimming.

Again last night, we were enthralled by the teamwork, drafting, positioning and pacing of the Olympic team pursuit speed skaters where groups of 3 speed skaters choreographed around the oval ice course with teamwork, precision and grace under tremendously aerobic-taxing conditions.

Open water swimmers will be able to similarly show their teamwork, precision and grace after the 2010 USA Swimming National 5K and 10K Open Water SwimmingChampionships with a unique Team Time Trial Challenge.

While the best young open water swimmers of America and Canada will be competing for spots on their respective national teams in order to represent their countries at the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships in July, others will be able to compete in the new Team Time Trial Challenge.

The Team Time Trial Challenge will take place in Marine Stadium in Long Beach after the USA Swimming National 5K Open Water Swimming Championships on June 6th. Held in a flat-water GPS-marked course with immediate guide buoys, there will be two distances: a short-track 2K course (one full loop of the Marine Stadium course) and a Long-track 4K course (two full loops of the Marine Stadium course).

The Team Time Trial Challenge concept is for teams of swimmers to start and finish together. Swimmers are strongly encouraged to swim together, drafting and pacing off of one another as speed skaters or cyclists do. Swimming together, teams can swim faster than individuals swimming by themselves.

The official time of the team is the time that the last person of the team crosses the finish line. This concept places a premium on optimal drafting, positioning and pacing - three very important skill sets for competitive open water swimmers and triathletes.

The reason for this new concept is because FINA will add a 3-person 5K team time trial relay to its World Swimming Championships schedule beginning in 2011 and to its World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships schedule beginning in 2012. Plus, it is simply fun.

There will be a staggered start where the teams will be start 30 seconds apart. Teams will receive a team number that will be written on the shoulders of each relay member. Teams will start in numerical order (Team #1 first, Team #2 second, etc.). The start order will be randomly selected, so some teams will undoubtedly pass other teams.

In order to encourage participation, there will be several different divisions and categories. Divisions include the Non-wetsuit (i.e., FINA Swimsuit Legal), Wetsuit, Fin, Triathlete, Military and Corporate divisions. Categories include Solo (1 swimmer), Duo (2 swimmers), Trio (3 swimmers) and Quad (4 swimmers).

In order to accommodate individual swimmers who would like to join a team, these individuals can submit their current 1000-yard time with their registration. Swimmers of approximately the same speed will be partnered together.

Pre-race Clinics will be held in Santa Monica in order to help teammates learn how to optimally draft and position themselves during the race. But the innovations will also include up-close-and-personal viewing for interested fans and spectators. Seats on spectator boats along the race course will be available during the USA Swimming National 5K and 10K Open Water Swimming Championships and the Team Time Trial Challenge. 7-time world professional marathon swimming champion Shelley Taylor-Smith     and 2-time world masters open water swimming champion Gerry Rodrigues     will explain the races and are available to answer questions about the sport of open water swimming on these spectator boats.

The rules for this new event include the following:

1. If one swimmer in the team wears a wetsuit or a technical swimsuit not currently approved by FINA, then the entire team will compete in the Wetsuit Division.
2. If one swimmer in the team wears fins, then the entire team will compete in the Fin Division.
3. Relay members in the Triathlon Division may wear any type of wetsuit or technical swimsuit, but no fins.
4. All team swimmers must be currently serve in the military (either active duty or National Guard) in order to compete in the Military Division.
5. All team swimmers must be employees (either full- or part-time) in order to compete in the Corporate Division.

Kane Radford and Melissa Ingram Keep Right On Course

27.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Races   |  (0) comments

Top open water swimmer Kane Radford and Olympic backstroker Melissa Ingram both paid attention, dug deep and won the fourth leg of the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series in Corsair Bay in Lyttelton Harbour at the 2.8K Corsair Bay Classic today in Christchurch.

There was a bit of a mix-up about the course layout.

Athletes who did not keep the turn buoys to their right were disqualified, which included a few of the top competitors. "We got a bit lazy at the pre-race briefing and must have been talking – and I was punished accordingly," said Australian David Browne.

Impressively, Melissa was the fourth overall finisher in the race. "I was surprised to hear that [I won] at the finish line, but I did listen at the briefing and I always make sure I know the course well," said Melissa.

A local television news report on the disqualifications in Corsair Bay Classic is here.

Despite the disqualification, the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series continues to take its successful ocean swimming tour on the road throughout New Zealand.

At the first leg of the Series at the 2.8K Sovereign Harbour Crossing in Quinton park, Bayswater to Te Wero Island, Viaduct, there were 1,177 finishers. At the second leg of the Series at the 3.3K Russell to Paihia Swim in Quinton park, Bayswater to Te Wero Island, Viaduct, there were 595 finishers. At the third leg of the Series at the 2.8K Capital Classic in Wellington, there were 550 finishers. At the fourth leg here in Corsair Bay in Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, there were 385 finishers with two more legs to go before the Series awards its overall winners.

Men's Results:
1. Kane Radford, 28:49
2. Colin Braund, 30:09
3. Bryan Rhodes, 31:06
4. Jacob Barry, 32:01
5. Henry Norris, 32:01

Women's Results:
1. Melissa Ingram, 31:14
2. Georgia Hind, 32:14 8
3. Brenda Russell, 32:23
4. Samantha Harnett, 32:28
5. Kate Medder, 33:18

Photo of Melissa Ingram at the AIMES Awards where she won the Award for Excellence.

Poliana Okimoto, Officially Crowned 2009 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year

26.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Swimmers   |  (1) comments

The official results of the global World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year poll, won by Poliana Okimoto of Brazil for her successful and consistent record as a professional marathon swimmer on the FINA World Cup circuit, were tabulated and confirmed - and are shown below.

With 21,275 online votes cast by fans from over 150 countries around the globe, Poliana overwhelmingly won the online poll:

1. Poliana Okimoto: 15,555 votes
2. Lisa Cummins: 1,231 votes
3. Mighty Mermaids: 1,125 votes
4. Angela Maurer: 858 votes
5. Natalie du Toit : 682 votes
6. Penny Palfrey: 598 votes
7. Sally Minty-Gravett: 575 votes
8. Keri-Anne Payne: 304 votes
9. Marcia Cleveland : 191 votes
10. Melissa Gorman: 158 votes

The World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year Award is meant to honor the woman who (1) best embodies the spirit of open water swimming, (2) possesses the sense of adventure, tenacity and perseverance that open water swimmers are known for, and (3) has most positively influenced the world of open water swimming in 2009.

And Poliana certainly demonstrated those traits.

Training With A Hippo

26.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Swimmers   |  (0) comments

Individuals who do marathon swims are motivated for/by a wide variety of reasons. In contemporary times it is relatively easy to explain those reasons via websites, blogs and emails.

We recently came across Graeme Schlachter's reasons for swimming the English Channel and Graeme (aka ZimHippo), the third Zimbabwean to successfully swim the Channel, gave some compelling reasons for entering the open water and pushing himself to the outer boundaries of his physical and mental limits.