How appropriate that the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be honored during the IMSHOF Inductions & Awards Weekend on the Isle of Jersey.
Jersey is located in the English Channel, the most iconic channel crossing in the world and a rite of passage for hundreds of IMSHOF honorees.
IMSHOF Executive Committee membersNed Denison (Ireland, MSF bio here, IISA bio here), Beth Yudovin (USA, IISA bio here), Richard Broer (Netherlands, IISA bio here), Madhu Nagaraja (Canada, IISA bio here), Nora Toledano Cadena (Mexico, MSF bio here), Alice Dearing (Great Britain, MSF bio here, World Aquatics bio here), and local heroine Sally Minty Gravett, MBE (Jersey, MSF bio here) are hosting nearly 100 luminaries and their guests over a 3-day weekend of festivities on the Isle of Jersey. Minty Gravett is one of the icons of open water swimming, not only on Jersey, but also among the assembled IMSHOF luminaries.
The global gathering of some of the most adventurous aquatic athletes in history will celebrate and honor the following members of the Class of 2025:
Class of 2025 Inductees & Award Winners:
- Honor Swimmer Grace van der Byl (USA, MSF bio here)
- Honor Swimmer Simone Ercoli (Italy, MSF bio here, World Aquatics bio here)
- Honor Swimmer Dina Levačić (Croatia, MSF bio here, World Aquatics bio here)
- Honor Swimmer Aurélie Muller (France, MSF bio here, World Aquatics bio here)
- Honor Swimmer Stève Stievenart (France, MSF bio here, IISA bio here)
- Honor Swimmer Joe Zemaitis (USA, MSF bio here, IISA bio here)
- Honor Pilot Eddie Spelling (Great Britain, CS&PF bio here)
- Honor Coach Jorge “Coco” Villegas Pérez (Mexico, MSF bio here)
- ISHOF Poseidon Award Winner Nora Toledano Cadena (Mexico, MSF bio here)
- Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award Winner Forrest Nelson (USA, MSF bio here)
- Dale Petranech Award for Services to IMSHOF WInner Richard Broer (Netherlands, IISA bio here)
Denison and Minty Gravett announced the details of the 3-day weekend soon.
Friday May 16th
- 7:00 pm: Cocktail reception at the Lido on the seashore (close to the Ceremony location – Ambassadeur Hotel). Many will stay here for dinner (£30 per person)
- Pre-arranged casual dinners at local restaurants (see location, hotels & restaurants on website)
Saturday May 17th
- 9:00 – 9:30 am: Meet at the Ambassadeur Hotel for a 10:00 am – 12:00 noon swim. Local swimmers will supply transport. Maximum swim 3 km in 11-12°C expected water temperatures (shorter swim is possible). Please bring £10 to fund a gift for safety kayakers.
- 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Executive Committee Meeting and private lunch
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm: Induction ceremony set up
- 6:00 pm: Ceremony reception
- 7:00 pm: Sitting for dinner
- 8:30 pm: Presentations, followed by late drinks
Sunday May 18th
- It is expected that half the visiting attendees will depart
- 9:00 am – 1:00 pm: No-fee coach tour of the island with emphasis on history. Please bring £10 to tip the coach driver and presenter.
- 2:00 – 4:00 pm: IMSHOF Congress, topics will be distributed in advance. This will be held in the Lido. All Honorees are invited with room for 20 others (email info@imshof.org if interested)
- 6:00 pm: Casual gathering in the bar of the Ambassadeur Hotel
- 7:00 pm: Small group pre-arranged casual dinners (see location & hotels on website)
Monday May 19th
- It is expected that almost all the remaining visiting attendees will depart
For more information, visit www.imshof.org.
© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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