Promotional video for 2012 Global Open Water Swimming Conference (From London to Long Beach)
Open water swimming heroes and heroines will gather in Long Beach, California to participate in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, the Global Open Water Swimming Conference and the World Open Water Swimming Awards on September 22nd and the open water swim on September 23rd.
The three-day open water swimming extravaganza will offer award ceremonies, book signings, open water swims replicating the Olympic Games marathon swim, and inspirational and educational presentations by luminaries of the sport.
The new open water swims will be held in Marine Stadium, the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games rowing venue. Swimmers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds will compete in a replica of the Olympic 10 km Marathon Swim course to be used at the 2012 London Olympic Games. The swims will include 140m, 800m, 1.5 km triathlon, 1.6 km, 5 km and 10 km distances.
EVENTS
Global Open Water Swimming Conference
International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies
World Open Water Swimming Awards
140m, 800m, 1.5 km, 1.6 km, 5 km and 10 km swims in the Olympic triathlon and marathon swim courses
DATES
Friday, September 21 — Sunday, September 23, 2012
CONFERENCE LOCATION
Aboard the Queen Mary, one of the most famous ocean liners in the world
SWIM LOCATION & COURSE
Marine Stadium, Long Beach, California, a replica of the 2012 London Olympic Games triathlon and marathon swim courses in the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, London
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
Welcome Reception and book signings on the Queen Mary in Long Beach
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd
2012 Global Open Water Swimming Conference that includes the World Open Water Swimming Awards (luncheon) and the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremonies (dinner).
The honourees of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame ceremonies include:
– Larisa Ilchenko (Russia), 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim gold medalist
– Maarten van der Weijden (Netherlands), 2008 Olympic 10K Marathon Swim gold medalist and leukemia survivor
– Sri Chinmoy (India), posthumously inducted as Honour Administrator
– Ned Denison (Ireland), accomplished marathon swimmer, coach and Honour Administrator
– David Parcells (USA), channel swimmer posthumously inducted as an Honour Swimmer
– Faros Maratón Swim (Croatia) as an Honour Organisation
– Irish Long Distance Swimming Association (Ireland) as an Honour Organisation
– Marcos Díaz (Dominican Republic), United Nations Swimming Ambassador
– Drury Gallagher (USA), founder of the Manhattan Island Swimming Association
– Chad Hundeby (USA), English Channel and Catalina Channel record holder
– Eleanor Studley Hurd (USA), swam between Europe and Asia posthumously honored
– Des Renford (Australia), 19-time English Channel swimmer posthumously honored
The World Open Water Swimming Award recipients will also be honored:
– Nejib Belhedi (Tunisia) 2011 World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year
– Pilar Geijo (Argentina), 2011 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year
– Jamie Patrick (USA), 2011 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year
Other speakers will include:
– Wayne Riddin (South Africa), race director of the world’s largest open water swim, the Midmar Mile
– Mark Perry (UK), head coach of British Swimming
– Colin Hill (UK), Technical Director of the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the
2012 London Olympics
– Diana Nyad (USA), International Swimming Hall of Fame and International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame dual inductee
– Shelley Taylor-Smith (Australia), 7-time world professional marathon swimming champion
– Forrest Nelson (USA), Catalina Channel Swimming Federation president and channel swimmer
– Dr. Marcy Macdonald (USA), 12-time English Channel swimmer
– Martin Strel (Slovenia), Big River Man
– Yutaka Shinozaki (Japan), Founder of Japan International Open Water Swimming Association
– Craig Dietz (USA), Limbless Waterman
– Greta Andersen (USA), Olympic Gold Medalist and International Swimming Hall of Fame and International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame dual inductee
– Dr. Khwaja Aziz (Bangladesh), FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd
North side beach at Marine Stadium in Long Beach starting at 9:00 am
– 100m newcomer swim
– 800m swim (½ loop of the Olympic 10 km Marathon Swim course)
– 1 loop of the Olympic Triathlon swim course (1.5 km)
– 1 loop of the Olympic 10 km Marathon Swim course (1.6 km)
– 3 loops of the Olympic 10 km Marathon Swim course (5 km)
– 6 loops of the Olympic 10 km Marathon Swim course (10 km)
Click to register.