Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
Race directors of mass participation open water swims always have their hands full. They have to understand and be on top of all aspects of their events from the pre-race registration and volunteer organization to in-the-water safety and contingency protocols in cases of emergencies.
Race directors usually get very little sleep before the event day and have a comprehensive recall of myriad details.
But things always happen on race day whether it is due to weather, wind or human error.
So it is wonderful when veteran race directors are on top of everything and make themselves available and visible to the swimmers, volunteers, parents and coaches.
Wayne Riddin of the Midmar Mile was such a ubiquitous presence in South Africa [shown on left] and so is Kaia Hedlund at the Waikiki Roughwater Swim on Oahu with her pretty-in-pink race director top.
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association