Over the years since 2008, nominees for the WOWSA Man of the Year has included Olympic gold medalists, English Channel record holders, world champions, Guinness World Record holders, ice swimming pioneers, and extraordinaire stage swimmers.
But last year, one nominee was over 80 years old.
In what other sport would an 82-year-old athlete win a coveted Man of the Year Award?
I dare say, it can only happen in the open water swimming world.
I have always been so proud to nominate swimmers like Paddy Conaghan for the WOWSA Awards.
The nominees for the World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year, and World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year are selected among a globally diverse group of heroic and impressive individuals with exceptionally inspirational exploits, histories and lifestyles. The WOWSA Awards were never meant exclusively for the fastest or the most renowned swimmers, but were established to specifically honor the men and women who:
- best embody the spirit of open water swimming,
- possess the sense of adventure, tenacity and perseverance that open water swimmers are known for, and
- have most positively influenced the world of open water swimming
Those characteristics are precisely why I nominated Conaghan for the 2022 WOWSA Awards Man of the Year.
Now a group of filmmakers, led by Paul McCambridge (director and producer), with Maureen McCoy, Donal Macintyre, Paddy O’Kane, and Conleth McCambridge has brought Conaghan’s life and achievements to the silver screen with a 20-minute documentary film called A Man of Arran.
The Irish Long Distance Swimming Association wrote, “Since embarking on this film journey with Paddy, we have had the good fortune to come in contact with several filmmakers and documentarians.
Most notable; Jim Sheridan, the acclaimed Irish director and screenwriter known for his impactful works such as “In the Name of the Father,” “My Left Foot,” and “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” took the time to view our 20-minute film.
We are over the moon by his positive feedback and endorsement of our film featuring Paddy!“
For more information on the film, visit here. For additional updates on Paddy, visit his Facebook page here.
© 2023 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline”