The Aquatic Capital of America selected the Naples Island Swims as its 2024 Organization of the Year in its annual ceremony that honors inspirational individuals and organizations in Long Beach, California. Given its century-long history (since 1903) and recently increasing popularity, it was a sentimental choice.
The Naples Island Swims was honored alongside Kristina Duggan as the Tom Shadden Citizen of the Year, Mike Segerblom of the Pacific Sailing Foundation for the Community Service Award, Maggie Twinem for Outstanding Achievement, Alex Kostich as the Masters Athlete of tthe Year, Brenden Gruneisen and Lawrence Durand as Coaches of the Year, Catherine Som de Ceff and Isabella Chem for High School Achievement Awards, the Naples Island Swims for Organization of the Year, Greg Shea as the Dick Miller Waterman of the Year, and Hannes Daube as Athlete of the Year.
Organizers, both past and present, were honored. They included Merritt Morris, Kaia Hedlund, Laura McDonald, Andrew Barber, Bruce Bradley, Matt Shea, Parks Wesson, Scott Dixon, Mike Baker, and Greg Shea.
The Naples Island Swim features 3 races:
- 500-yard swim for ages 10 and under
- 1-mile swim for ages 11 and over
- 3-mile Naples Island circumnavigation swim for ages 13 and over
For more information on the Aquatic Capital of America and all its honorees, visit www.aquaticcapital.org.
The program helps fund the Waterproof Our Youth, a program that funds swim lessons for local youth as part of its mission to eliminate drowning injuries and deaths.
For more information on the Naples Island Swims, visit www.naplesislandswims.com.
© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“