Your articles on the Butlin races prompted a research project for me. based on the Grossman book, the Egyptians formed what I believe was the first Professional Marathon Swimming Organization. The International Long Distance Swimming Federation (ILDSF). They were group that sanctioned the Butlin Events and other marathon events. They covered primarily Europe. They also sanctioned the initial Capri-Naples swims.

Dissatisfies with operation and protocols Joe Grossman and others created the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation (WPMSF) that covered primarily North and South America. (As an aside Joe had little use for the Egyptians and it is obvious in his book). Over the years both organizations lost their grip on various races and the sport returned to individual promoters running their own races.

When FINA’s strict Amateur position was relaxed they did not opposed the formation of the International Marathon Swimming Association (IMSA) as long as all the races were under the FINA rules. Roger Parsons did a yeoman’s job in combining all the swims under one umbrella. and everything went smoothly until Roger and Cornel got into a pissing contest. It was then that FINA took over the series. IMSA Folded it’s operations but is a position to reactivate if the situation dictates.

I’ll be mailing you a copy of the WPMSF Constitution and get a similar document from Lynn Blouin the last chair of IMSA. I’ll also try to get the original copies of paper work on the ISDSF fro Egypt. There was another organization that also claimed a world championships but I’ll try do a bit of research on it. As I recall Irene van der Laan’s father was the secretary so hoefully she can get me the inform:

TO: Irene van der Laan, Roger Parsons,
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