> Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. When a slew of Olympians and six world champions come together and race in the open water, it is a highly unusual situation. It is even more unusual when a non-Olympian and non-world champion wins. But Ashley Twichell proved herself more than up to the challenge and won

Ashley Twichell, courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association

After listening to swimmers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds reminisce about their open water swims, it seems they most vividly remember and can discuss most colorfully the toughest, roughest, coldest and worse parts of their swim (e.g., the coldest part of the lake, the roughest part of the ocean). After years pass by, when

This year alone, we have already flown over 100,000 air miles covering solo swims and open water swimming events around the world. There have been delays and cancelled flights, lost luggage and rude staff, turbulence and bad movies. With the crowded skies becoming even more crowded, we see flying as a great experience for what

So many open water swimmers and triathletes travel internationally, within continents and from coast to coast. Many of them have a hard time getting comfortable and sleeping in an airplane. But not limber Ashley Twichell. The open water swimmer is flexible, religiously wears compression leggings, and twists and turns her body in all sorts of

In a public address in FINA’s Aquatics World Magazine, FINA President Julio Maglione spoke of the world of aquatics. “…the competition in the FINA sports (pool swimming, diving, water polo, synchronised swimming and open water swimming) is more interesting than ever, with an increasing number of nations capable of shining at the highest level. This