Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
waterman is an individual who is considered by his peers and the marine sports community to be well-adept, experienced and highly skilled in various marine sports. Watermen performed safely and courageously in myriad conditions, such as ocean swimming, paddling, kayaking, surfing, body surfing, boating, diving, surf lifesaving, lifeguarding, rowing, yachting, fishing, stand-up paddling, kite sailing and windsurfing.
A waterman is also considered humble and fun-loving around the ocean and onshore, while simultaneously being fearless, but respectful, of rough water conditions or big-wave surf. And, always, they retain a deeply embedded connection with the ocean and take safety in the water very seriously.
Watermen are also considered skilled in interpreting weather and tide information to decide the best water activity for the conditions. They also work to improve the marine environment through a variety of activities includin
* Wendy Paskin-Jordan (U.S.A.): Highly competitive swimmer, ocean swimmer, and ocean lifeguard. A role model on dryland through her professional achievements and in the ocean as a pioneering lifeguard, Paskin-Jordan saved 30 lives in one summer as the first female ocean lifeguard in Los Angeles County history in 1974.
* Katie Rowe (U.S.A.): Stunt woman and stunt coordinator (water specialist), ocean swimmer, competitive swimmer, lifeguard, and dive instructor. She has lived her entire life around, in and under the water: competing, helping, acting, planning, and teaching in pools, oceans, lakes and movie sets in all kinds of conditions and situations.
* Charlene, Princess of Monaco: Olympic swimmer, open water swimmer, and the Special Olympic global ambassador. She has represented her country, her club and her passions with grace and humility. She supports open water swimming by athletes with intellectual disabilities and other causes as a real-life Princess.
* Cindy Cleveland (U.S.A.): Lifeguard, competitive paddle boarder, pioneering marathon swimmer and channel swimmer: She has always ventured in the ocean where others have yet to dare both as a lifeguard or marathon swimmer, challenging herself to overcome difficult conditions whether on a paddle board, with fins or just a swimsuit and goggles.
* Lexie Kelly (U.S.A.): Lifeguard, professional racer, channel swimmer, and competitive swimmer. Fins or goggles, paddle board or escort boat, she is as comfortable in cold water as she is in warm, in rough water as she is in calm. She teaches people
* Grace van der Byl (U.S.A.): Marathon swimmer, channel swimmer, paddle boarder, support crew, and observer.
* Cynthia Aguilar (U.S.A.): Lifeguard, ocean swimmer and paddle boarder (Cuba to Florida).
* Tanya Streeter – Don’t know about the swimming ties https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanya-Streeter-TV-PersonalityFreediverEnvironmentalist/129556853764012?sk=timeline
* Michelle Evans-Chase (U.S.A.): Competitive swimmer, paddle boarder, support crew, surfer, and Toa o le Tai co-creator: o-founder OC Swim Club, PhD in Social Welfare who has written about the value of ocean swimming for youth
* Shane Gould (Australia): 5-time Olympic medalist, ocean swimmer, photographer, speaker, author, surfer, body surfer, event director and teacher. Her daily experiences in nature help her to effectively transmit her positive mindset and robust perspective on human development in order to inspire others seek their own potential.
* Rebecca Creedy (Australia): Lifesaver, Iron Woman, competitive swimmer, does youth programs, degree related to environmental studies
* Danni Washington – http://danniwashington.com
* Krystal Smith (Australia): Iron Woman, ’s all time greats. Also a partner of Zane’s in Dolphin Surf Craft, competitor for BMD Northcliffe – http://www.nutrigrainironman.com.au/en_AU/athletes/KristylSmith.html
* Mich Burden (U.S.A.): Lifeguard, competitive swimmer, marathon swimmer, professional race.
* Micha Burden won USLA titles in a few events, won an NCAA championship on a relay (with Natalie Coughlin), and won a USA Swimming 10 km championship during the 2005-2008 period. She also is a good body surfer and now a mother.
* Yuko Matsuzaki (Japan): Finswimmer, ocean swimmer, marathon swimmer, and professional racer.
Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association