Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Matías Ola is highly active, pouring his passion in creating and organizing open water swimming events. His Swim Argentina was nominated for the 2017 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year among the following publications, events, products and offerings: 1. 48 Braçades by Miquel Suñer (Spain) 2. Blue […]

Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Malcolm Gladwell made the 10,000 Hour Rule popularly known. Its principle states that 10,000 hours of deliberate practice are needed to become world-class in any field. Winning Isn’t Normal® is a book written by Dr. Keith Bell in 1982 where he motivates readers to do what it takes to

Courtesy of Ron Collins, Tampa Bay Marathon Swim, Florida. 54-year-old Dr. Marcy MacDonald is planning on doing the 24-mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim in Florida on New Year’s Day, January 1st 2018. After participating on a relay team in the 2017 edition, Dr. MacDonald is heading back in the dead of winter to attempt the

Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Luis Escobar of Mexico finished 18th at the 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim in Beijing. He continued to swim on the FINA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup and the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix circuits until 2012, but he eventually retired and became a civil engineer and moved

Courtesy of Ned Denison, Cork, Ireland. Lisa Cummins has enjoyed a solid marathon and channel swimming career that started out with bang. In 2009, she set a local Sandycove Island record with a 19-lap 27 km training swim conducted through the night. She was preparing for her September 2009 two-way crossing of the English Channel

Courtesy of Ned Denison, Cork, Ireland. Ned Denison explains the background of a fellow water polo player who has shifted her focus to the open water. “Eilís Burns played six years on the Irish National Water Polo team and has now become the most successful marathon swimming coach in Sandycove, Ireland.” In addition to her

Courtesy of Ned Denison, Cork, Ireland. Deirdre Ward is an Irish open water swimmer who trains with the Serpentine Swimming Club and Otter Swimming Club in London. The 4-time English Channel swimmer is a member of the 24-hour Club and serves unselfishly as a committee member of the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation. Ned Denison

Courtesy of Ned Denison, Cork, Ireland. Martin Cullen (1952 – 2016) cast a benevolent and guiding light upon the Irish open water swimming community. Ned Denison describes a mentor to many. “Martin was an Irish open water swimmer, official observer, member of the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association, a prolific marathon swim organiser, support crew

Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Deborah J. McDonald directed and produced the documentary film, 50 year old FRESHMAN: Suzanne Heim-Bowen. Her film centered on Suzanne Heim-Bowen and her unusual journey among swimmers who were less than half her age at Diablo Valley College. The film – largely centered in a pool – explores the