World Open Water Swimming Association

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World Open Water Swimming Association We help open water swimmers thrive. Protecting fair standards, expanding safe access and sharing knowledge around the world. 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

WOWSA is an international association dedicated to the organization, promotion and recognition of open water swimmers, events, records, trends, publications, films, podcasts and achievements in the world of marathon swimming, including solo and relay channel crossings, competitive races of all distances, especially the Olympic 10k Marathon Swim, extreme swimming (including ice swimming, winter swimming, stage swimming, and high-altitude swimming), coaching, officiating, and piloting.

What do the researchers studying open water actually want swimmers to know?Last week, the Outdoor Swimming Research Foru...
09/23/2026

What do the researchers studying open water actually want swimmers to know?

Last week, the Outdoor Swimming Research Forum met at the Windermere Jetty Museum. Researchers from the University of Exeter, Bangor University, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, and Surfers Against Sewage shared what they are learning about water quality, swimmer health, and the places we swim.
We put together what stood out for the open water community.
Read the full recap at the link in bio.

Photo: Ben Cannon
waterquality swimmerhealth WOWSA

100 years ago, Gertrude Ederle changed what the world believed was possible.On August 6, 1926, she came ashore at Kingsd...
08/06/2026

100 years ago, Gertrude Ederle changed what the world believed was possible.

On August 6, 1926, she came ashore at Kingsdown, Kent as the first woman to swim the English Channel, finishing nearly two hours faster than any man before her.

This Thursday marks the 100th anniversary of that historic swim.
It’s also the day nominations open for the 2026 WOWSA Awards.
A century after Ederle redefined open water swimming, we’re asking one question:

Who will define the next century?

The 2026 WOWSA Awards recognize outstanding achievements in:
🏊 Marathon Swimmer of the Year
🌊 Pioneer Swimmer of the Year
♿ Para Open Water Swimmer of the Year
🤝 Community Impact Award

Know someone who deserves recognition? Self-nominations are welcome.

📅 Nominations open August 6 and close December 31, 2026.

Nominate at wowsaawards.com

Presented in partnership with Outdoor Swimmer magazine. Gertrude Ederle is the 2026 WOWSA Legacy Honoree.
OutdoorSwimmer ParaSwimming

07/07/2026

“We call it solo swimming, but it’s not at all solo.” 🌊

Elaine Howley — Triple Crown swimmer, MOWSA Vice President, and founder of Channel Support Services — on why crewing is just as essential as swimming when it comes to building the sport of marathon swimming.

From WOWSA Spotlight: The Sport’s Living Knowledge, hosted by Craig Lewin.

🎥 Full interview in comments

WOWSA has ratified Lewis Pugh’s circumnavigation stage swim of Martha’s Vineyard — 88.36 km clockwise from Edgartown Bea...
06/23/2026

WOWSA has ratified Lewis Pugh’s circumnavigation stage swim of Martha’s Vineyard — 88.36 km clockwise from Edgartown Beach Lighthouse, completed across 14 sessions over 12 days in May 2025.

The swim was conducted in accordance with WOWSA Marathon Swimming Rules, witnessed by independent observer Nicola Johnston, piloted by Sean Makofsky aboard Infidel, and supported by kayaker Nic Burden.

Thanks to the three reviewers from WOWSA’s Ratification Committee, Pat Gallant-Charette, Sarah Wiseman, and David Rich, for their thorough review and unanimous ratification.

Distance for record purposes is the shortest swimmable path along the declared route: 88.36 km. GPS track distance was 92.83 km.

Full ratification report in comments.

Ten years ago, Adherbal de Oliveira came home from the English Channel and asked a simple question: why doesn’t Brazil h...
06/18/2026

Ten years ago, Adherbal de Oliveira came home from the English Channel and asked a simple question: why doesn’t Brazil have anything like this? We sat down with him to find out what it took to build a successful marathon swimming association in South America on the 10 year anniversary of LPSA. Link in comments.

SWIM-1039 | Nicholas Bufton | RatifiedOn May 2, 2026, Nicholas Bufton completed an unassisted crossing from Koh Phangan ...
06/17/2026

SWIM-1039 | Nicholas Bufton | Ratified

On May 2, 2026, Nicholas Bufton completed an unassisted crossing from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand — 37.9 km in 14 hours, 54 minutes, and 12 seconds.

The swim began in favorable conditions. An unexpected storm mid-crossing brought strong winds, heavy rain, and building currents that slowed progress significantly through the final hours. Bufton finished in darkness, guided by flashlight, with the Koh Tao shoreline in sight.

Documentation reviewed and ratified by the WOWSA Ratification Committee. Our thanks to committee members Sarah Wiseman, Attila Mányoki, and David Rich for their diligent review.

Full ratification report in comments.

Former Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Ballard dove into the world of cold water swimming for three years to rese...
06/16/2026

Former Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Ballard dove into the world of cold water swimming for three years to research his new book, The Plunge. Beyond studying the sport, he became a national champion ice swimmer and discusses how freezing water builds mental grit in a new WOWSA interview. Read the full conversation in comments.

On May 10, 2026, Natalie Cowart swam 38.14 km down the Catawba River — from Mt. Holly, North Carolina to Rock Hill, Sout...
06/15/2026

On May 10, 2026, Natalie Cowart swam 38.14 km down the Catawba River — from Mt. Holly, North Carolina to Rock Hill, South Carolina — in 13 hours, 5 minutes.

She started in pre-dawn fog with glassy water and a strong early rhythm. Halfway through, she tore her bicep entering Lake Wylie. She alternated breaststroke and freestyle to manage the pain and kept going. She finished at Ebenezer Park to her family cheering on the bank.

WOWSA is proud to ratify the Catawba River Monster Swim, and grateful to committee members Pat Gallant-Charette, Sarah Wiseman and Kate Steels for their diligent review. Full ratification report in comments. 🌊

06/08/2026

60g of carbs per hour is the old ceiling. Sports dietitian Jennifer Brunelli says 90g may be the new target.

But getting there requires mixed sugar sources — and trusting what your gut tells you, not just the data.

🎙️ WOWSA Spotlight | Episode 01 — Full interview in comments.

06/06/2026

Getting faster in your 40s isn’t luck — it’s strategy. 🎯
Dan Daly has been swimming competitively for decades and he’s still dropping times. His secret? Training smarter, getting stronger, and knowing what actually declines with age — and what doesn’t.
Full conversation on YouTube
swimmingover40 mastersathlete openwaterswimming

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