Posted in: 02-2010

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   |  (0) 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.

Great Show and Swim

25.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Events   |  (1) comments

The Great Swim, an open water swimming phenomena in Great Britain, was televised in England and was so good that it is up for a nomination at the Royal Television Society Awards, which takes place this coming Saturday.

blueseventy Supports A Great Summer Adventure In The Open Water

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

blueseventy, has teamed up with one of the most engaging and entertaining open water swimming enthusiasts in America Rob Dumouchel of Rob Aquatics, to launch the Rob Aquatics Summer Open Water Tour.

When the swimsuit manufacturer most committed to the sport of open water swimming partners with a leading commentator in the sport, there is bound to be a great flow of information outpouring from the following events and locations where Rob will take his Tour.

"I'm taking the Tour to different open water swims all over the country. I'm doing everything from 1 milers to a 10K and I'm really excited about it. I'm planning to attend all 5 US Masters Swimming Open Water Championship events among other things."

May 29: USMS 1 Mile Open Water Championships, Lake Norman, Charlotte, North Carolina
June 5: Swim Around the Rock (3.25 miles), San Francisco, California
June 6: USMS 1–3 Mile Open Water Championships (1.5 miles), Lake Del Valle, Livermore, California
June 13: Chesapeake Bay Swim (4.4 miles), Maryland
June 19: USMS 3–6 Mile Open Water Championships (6K), Lake Water Valley, Windsor, Colorado
July 10: USMS 2-Mile Cable Championships, Chris Green Lake, Charlottesville, Virginia
July 17: USMS 6+ Mile Open Water Championships (10K), Morse Reservoir, Noblesville, Indiana
July 31: Santa Cruz Rough Water Swim (1 mile), Santa Cruz, California
August 1: Cruise Cruz (2 mile), Santa Cruz, California
August TBD: Naples Island Swim (1.25 miles), Long Beach, California
August 28: Don Burns Corona del Mar 1 mile Swim, California
September 11: Big Shoulders (5K), Chicago, Illinois

Photo and map courtesy of Rob Aquatics.

Final Tabulated Results of the Great Swims in 2009

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

The official results of the global Great Open Water Swims of 2009 poll, won by Andrew Smilley of the Cayman Islands for his cold-water San Francisco Bay swim in the RCP Tiburon Mile were tabulated and confirmed - and are shown below.

With 9,133 votes cast by fans around the globe, Andrew barely out-voted the world record setting relay team of Camlough as the 2009 Greatest Open Water Swim of the Year:

1. Andrew Smilley: 2,086 votes
2. Camlough team: 2,003 votes
3. Kane Radford: 1,197 votes
4. Julian Crabtree: 985 votes
5. Petar Stoychev: 596 votes
6. Karen Rodgers: 583
7. Chantelle Le Guilcher: 484 votes
8. Liz Fry: 434 votes
9. Jade Scognamillo: 212 votes
10. Lisa Cummins: 112 votes
11. Tasmin Powell: 89 votes
12. Liane Llewellyn: 75 votes
13. Rostislav Vitek: 53 votes
14. Patti Bauernfeind: 52 votes
15. Lake Taupo Triple-crossing Team: 35 votes
16. Melissa Gorman: 35 votes
17. Penny Palfrey: 22 votes
18. Keri-Anne Payne: 19 votes
18. Ram Barkai and Andrew Chin: 19 votes
20. Thomas Lurz: 15 votes
21. Angela Maurer: 12 votes
22. Riaan Schoeman: 9 votes
23. Valerio Cleri: 6 votes

An amazing terrific group of aquatic adventurers who represent the best that the sport of open water swimming has to offer.

The Brave, Bold and Beautiful - 6 Swimmers Across the 257K Sea of Cortez

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

An intrepid team of Americans and Mexicans will attempt an unprecedented swim of 160 miles (257K) across the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, a unique and rich aquatic ecosystem where the swimmers may encounter whales (fin, sperm, humpback, gray, blue or killer), giant manta rays, giant sea turtles and whale sharks

Three American swimmers, part of the Night Train will raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project and their three Mexican teammates, who will use the relay as a fundraiser for Por Ellas...Enlace, El Mar de Cortes III.

Captained by Vito Bialla, the team consists of Christine Americans Christine Gonzales and Paul Lundgren, and Mexicans Monica Ramirez, Nora Toledano and Edna Llorens, a stellar group of experienced open water swimmers.

This 160-mile swim was on the list of futuristic swims - swims so difficult and so audacious that it would take a combination of big dreams, experienced swimmers, a capable support crew with a dash of luck in order to achieve success.

It is great to see the future being accomplished now.

Masterful 10K in Morse Reservoir, Indiana

23.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Events   |  (1) comments

Online registration for the 2010 US Masters Swimming 10K Open Water National Championship is now live. The event will be held on July 17th in Morse Reservoir, Noblesville, Indiana - the same site as the inaugural and highly successful 2008 US Masters Swimming 25K National Championships.

Dick Sidner, Race Director, says, "Both online and paper registrations are available. Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if interested."

45 swimmers from 20 states did the 25K race in Morse Reservoir, Indiana in 2008.

The feedback, from the athletes was outstanding.

"...I have just returned from the Inaugural 25K Open Water Nationals held at the Morse Reservoir outside of Indianapolis this past Saturday. It was an absolutely superbly organized and unforgettable event. The race director, Dick Sidner, went to extremes to make sure that every detail of the experience was just perfect, and he was ably assisted by members of his family, English Channel swimmer and author Marcia Cleveland, and others. The event was held on a well protected part of a very scenic reservoir/lake. Every swimmer who did not come with a kayaker, was provided with one (or more)."

"The 5 x 5K loop was measured with the finest of precision. When a fellow swimmer and I arrived a couple of days early, Dick invited us to his home and took us for a tour of the course in his pontoon boat. For the entire four days we were in town, Dick, his wife Lisa, his mother-in-law, and the other organizers treated us like family. The race was very safe. The field was incredibly strong. The kayakers did a great job.

When I finished the race I hugged Marcia Cleveland, I hugged my kayaker Chris who provided me with so much encouragement, and I wanted to hug everyone else who made this event so memorable - thanks to all of you," wrote Jon Lenchner (shown on left).

Race Director Dick Sidner (shown above) looks forward to another great turnout and competition.

FINA’s Longest Pro Race…88K Down the Parana River

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

FINA's longest Open Water Swimming Grand Prix race is from the city of Hernandarias to Parana in Argentina...a nearly impossibly long 88K (54 miles).

14 men and 8 women started the Maraton International Hernandarias-Parana on February 7th, racing downstream in the 21ºC water together to the exciting finish.

Damian Blaum of Argentina caught Alexander Studzinski of Germany at the beginning of the finish chute and passing him on the last stroke after 8 hours and 23 minutes (see above). Argentina swept the race when teammate Pilar Geijo won the women's race in 8 hours and 34 minutes.

Women's Final Results
1. Pilar Geijo (ARG) 8:34:22.84
2. Esther Nunez Morera (ESP) 8:40:02.16
3. Shelley Clark (AUS) 8:43:36.20
4. Noelia Petti (ARG) 9:12:43.44
5. Grith Sigsgaard (DEN) 9:25:06.45
6. Rita Vanesa Garcia (ARG) 9:37:43.06

Men's Final Results
1. Damian Blaum (ARG) 8:23:21.54
2. Alex Studzinski (GER) 8:23:23.22
3. Rodolfo Valenti (ITA) 8:25:02.66
4. Andrea Volpini (ITA) 8:28:53.76
5. Rok Kerin (SLO) 8:32:52.14
6. Gabriel Villagoiz (ARG) 8:34:32.20
7. Evgenij Pop Acev (MKD 8:37:16.54
8. Guillermo Bertola (ARG) 8:39:17.06
9. Emanuel Corsiglia (ARG) 8:49:06.16
10. Mauro Nappa (ITA) 9:24:50.55
11. Juan Cordonnier (ARG) 9:55:53.78
12. Cristian Carrizo (ARG) 9:57:07.49

Photos courtesy of FINA representative Jorge Delgado Panchana.

Challenging Circumnavigation of Bowen Island

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

Mike Humphreys swam the 20-mile circumference of Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada becoming the fourth person to circumnavigate the ruggedly beautiful island in 63-66°F waters.

Bowen Island is in Howe Sound near Vancouver, Canada. A popular destination, Bowen Island offers stunning vistas for a small number of inhabitants.

Mike started near Snug Cove at 5 am in respect of the ebb and flood tides. Mike’s crew of Brent Hobbs, Rod Craig and Dustin Henderson, joined him from time to time.

The waters around the east, and north of the island were friendly, but some wind-induced surface chop on the west end tossed the swimmers around.

In compensation for the lumpiness, the west end offered sea life to divert attention from the roller coaster, with starfish carpeting the seabed. Where Bowen Island looks out across the Georgia Strait to Vancouver Island, Mike and his partners faced more tide and a bath of cooler water, but that didn’t affect their moods. The final push to Snug presented a lot of outcroppings to swim around. Mike finished in about 10:30.

Mike, Brent, Rod, and Dale will be back in British Columbia’s waters again in late June for a swim across the Georgia Strait from Nanaimo to Sechelt; a final dress rehearsal for both Rod and Mike before they tackle the English Channel in July and August, respectively.

Mike’s Bowen Island and Georgia Strait solo swims, plus stories of numerous other English Channel swimmers and his own English Channel challenges, will be featured in his upcoming book Dispatches from Dover.

Barry Watson Feeling Young

22.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: History   |  (0) comments

International Marathon Swimming Hall of Famer Barry Watson of England is back in training.

The energetic 71-year-old's new-found goal is to break the current record held by George Brunstad who is the oldest person to successfully swim the English Channel at the age of 70.

At the age of 26 in 1964, Barry set the English Channel record from France to England in 9 hours and 35 minuteshe age of 26. He also swam the English Channel in 15 hours and 21 minutes in 1968, in 13 hours and 56 minutes in 1969 and in 15 hours and 14 minutes in 1970. He was the British Long Distance Swimming Association champion in Lake Windermere in 1963 and 1964, the 1967 British Long Distance Swimming Association Loch Lomond champion, the British Long Distance Swimming Association 2-way Lake Windermere champion in 1966, 1967 and 1968, and the British Long Distance Swimming Association champion from Fleetwood to Morecambe in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1967. He swam the length of Lake Windermere in England more than 20 times.

Now, at the age of 71, he is back in training with the goal of repeating his earlier Channel successes.

Watch an interview with Barry here where he says, among other things, "I do not think I am going to stop now. Swimming is good for you. I still think I am 30."

2010 Global Open Water Swimming Symposium & Conference - Additional Speakers

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

7-time world professional marathon swimming champion Shelley Taylor-Smith    and TRISLIDE and Foggle inventor Karen Smidt-Allard were added to the 2010 Global Open Water Swimming Symposium and Conference that will kick-off the traditional American summer open water swimming season in exciting fashion this year. The first-time Symposium and Conference will be held in Long Beach, California on June 5th during the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships.

The lineup of notable speakers include Shelley Taylor-Smith    , channel swimmer Anne Cleveland, the world's fastest swimming pro triathlete John Flanagan, Mr. Open Water Sid Cassidy, FINA Medical Commission member and former USA Swimming national open water swim team physician Dr. Jim Miller, former world masters open water swimming championGerry Rodrigues    , professional endurance multi-sport athlete Megan Melgaard    , TRISLIDE and Foggle inventor Karen Smidt-Allard and a host of international speakers.

Among the numerous presentation, talks at the Symposium and Conference will include:

The History of Open Water Swimming- a pictorial history of open water swimming from 1875 to the present with a colorful description of the key characters, coaches and challenges of the sport and how it has evolved over the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries and how the 2.4-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim became part of the triathlon lore.

Preparing Age-Group and College Swimmers for World-class Open Water Competitions and Triathlon Racing- a presentation of the key training aspects, physical, tactical and mental, for achieving success at the national and international levels at the 5K and 10K distances, and the Olympic-distance, Half-Ironman and Ironman triathlons.

Training Triathletes for the Open Water- a presentation with concrete examples of how to take beginner, intermediate and advanced endurance athletes and make them great swimming triathletes.

Professionally Officiating and Colorfully Announcing Open Water Events - a presentation on how rules are adjudicated at the national and international levels and how best to provide entertainment and color during open water events.

Olympic 10K Marathon Swim Course and Triathlon Course at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics - a description of the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim and Triathlon courses at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics and how to prepare for these races that will be showcased in front of massive crowds.

Hypothermia and Hyperthermia - a medical explanation of hypothermia and hyperthermia and ways to prevent these conditions from happening and degrading your open water swimming performance.

Women in Open Water Swimming- a description of successful female marathon swimmers of all ages and what drives them to challenge themselves and to succeed against all odds.

The Life of a Professional Marathon Swimmer - an explanation of how professional marathon swimmers train and travel and their lifestyles as they travel around the world to exotic places competing under extraordinary conditions.

The Life of a Professional Triathlete - an explanation of how professional triathletes train and travel and their lifestyles as they travel around the world to exotic places competing under extraordinary conditions.

Nutritional Needs of Open Water Swimmers and Triathletes- a description of the optimal dietary habits of accomplished endurance athletes with a particular focus on professional swimmers, both in the pool and open water, and in the swim leg of a triathlon.

Training and Thinking Like an Olympic Champion - an explanation of how a world record holder and Olympic gold medalist trained himself and pushed himself physically and mentally to the highest echelon of his sport.

The Excitement and Allure of Endurance Sports for Busy People - a description of how fit individuals can find time in their busy lifestyles to train and compete in a plethora of exciting and challenging extreme endurance sports.

Creating a Big-Time Televised Open Water Extravaganza - an overview of how to plan, organize, market and deliver a safe, innovative open water swimming event that attracts pros and newcomers by the tens of thousands.

Rules of Open Water Swimming- a description of the basic rules of competitive open water swimming, from drafting and finish judging to yellow cards and red flags.

How to Become a Certified Open Water Swimming Official - an explanation of how to become an open water swimming official certified by USA Swimming, the governing body of swimming in the USA.

Masters Open Water Swimming- a description of how adults can enjoy the abundance of pool and open water swimming opportunities offered by US Masters Swimming.

How to Successfully Market Products to Triathletes and Open Water Swimmers- a real-life success story of how a mother came up with several clever product ideas and created a highly profitable, globally successful company out of her home

Pool Open Water - a presentation on how to train triathletes and swimmers in the pool in order to teach open water tactics and reach their potential in competitive open water events and triathlons.

The speakers include the following individuals:

John Flanagan is currently the fastest pro triathlon in the water, a 4-year member of the USA Swimming National Open Water Team, the 2001 World Swimming Championship 4th place finisher in the 10K, owner of two of the fastest Ironman swim legs in history, a winner of the Waikiki Roughwater Swim and member of the 1997 NCAA Championship Team from Auburn University.

Shelley Taylor-Smith     was one of the most successful professional marathon swimmers of all time with seven pro titles. An engaging speaker, she has also served as one of the top administrators in the sport and coaches athletes at all levels.

Steven Munatones who created The Daily News of Open Water Swimming, is a 2-time USA Swimming National Open Water champion, an International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame inductee and board member, a FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee member, a 7-time USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Team coach, and the Technical Swimming Delegate for the Special Olympics.

Sid Cassidy, who was the starter at the 2008 Beijing Olympic 10K Marathon Swim, is a former professional marathon swimmer, multiple-time USA Swimming national team coach, the former Chairman of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee, a top age-group swimming coach and a member of the English Channel world record relay (both single and double crossing).

Anne Cleveland is the oldest individual and fastest woman over 30 to complete double-crossing of the English Channel, a solo English Channel and Catalina Channel swimmer with hundreds of open water swims and relays to her credit and a renowned motivational speaker.

Gerry Rodrigues    , a renowned open water swimming and triathlon coach, a World Masters Open Water Swimming champion, a masters swimming world record holder (800-meter freestyle), the former publisher of Swimming World Magazine, a creator of SwimInfo, a US Masters Swimming Coach of the Year and America’s best short-distance ocean swimmer throughout the 1990’s.

Megan Melgaard    , a professional extreme athlete, is an endurance sports filmmaker, a former USA Swimming National Team swimmer with the 'the perfect freestyle stroke', co-founder of Splish, a custom swimsuit manufacturer, owner of SwimMechanics and the Aquatics Director for the Atlanta Triathlon Club.

Jim Miller, M.D. is a FINA Medical Commission member, former president of US Masters Swimming, an 8-time USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Team physician, a renowned speaker on the effects of hypothermia and hyperthermia for open water swimmers, a US Masters Swimming Coach of the Year and Chairman of the US Masters Swimming Sports Medicine Committee.

Genadijus Sokolovas    , Ph.D. is considered to be the world’s top swimming physiologist, an inventor and patent holder of innovative training methodologies and equipment, the Director of Physiology & Director of Sport Science at USA Swimming where he worked closely with all the American swimmers at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics, including Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin, Aaron Peirsol, Ryan Lochte and Gary Hall Jr.

Company founder Karen Smidt-Allard who envisioned, invented and markets TRISLIDE, Foggle and Tri-Swim hair care products to the swimming and triathlon worlds.



 

Sharing the Waterways of the World

21.Feb.10   |  posted by: steve munatones  |   filed under: Events   |  (2) comments

Competition and camaraderie often go hand-in-hand in the open water.

This weekend, the top Australians and New Zealanders successfully raced together at the 2010 Australian Open Water Swimming Championships where the Australian world championship team was selected.

America and Canada will similarly hold joint selection races at the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Championships this June.

These instances of friendly foes sharing the waterways of the world point to the camaraderie and collegiality that are commonly seen in the world of open water swimming.

Photo shows Marine Stadium where the American and Canadian teams will select their world championship representatives.