CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - 2012 Solo Swim of the Year (male)

evmo

Please submit your nominations here for the outstanding solo marathon swim by a male in 2012.

This award is not intended to honor the most popular, famous, or self-promoting swimmer. It is intended to celebrate the most impressive swimming achievement of the year.

Each forum member is limited to one nomination per category.

To submit a private nomination, send a PM to the Admins ( @evmo and/or @loneswimmer) and we will submit it on your behalf.

Please include as many details as possible about the swim you are nominating. The more details you include, the stronger the nomination. If there are details you don't know, other forum members are encouraged to fill them in.

Possible swim details include (but are not limited to):

• Name of swimmer
• Description of swim
  - body of water
  - start location
  - finish location
  - date
  - time to completion
• Sanctioning organization (if applicable)
• Name of independent observer (if no sanctioning organization)
• Other supporting evidence, possibly including links to news reports, etc.

The following types of swims are not eligible to be nominated as Solo Swim of the Year:

• Relays
• Stage swims
• Swims shorter than 10 kilometers
• Swims without an independent observer
• Uncompleted swims (DNF's)
• Swims that violate the generally accepted rules of traditional marathon swimming, e.g.,
  - Use of any swim costume or device that improves speed, buoyancy, or heat retention (beyond that provided by a single porous, textile swimsuit, single non-neoprene cap, goggles, grease, and earplugs).
  - Supportive contact with people or watercraft during the swim.

If you agree with a nomination and want to "second" it, click the "Like" button on that nomination. The number of "likes" a nomination receives will be taken into consideration by the finalist selection committee as a measure of support from the forum community.

Unlike original nominations, "likes" are not limited to one per member, per category.

Nominations will remain open at least through the end of Sunday, November 4, 2012.

url="http://www.marathonswimmers.org/forum/discussion/271/announcing-the-first-annual-global-marathon-swimming-awards#Item_1"]Link to original announcement[/url

evmo

A private nomination:

Greg O'Connor (aka @gregoc) - Cape Cod Bay crossing

- 20 miles from Plymouth, Massachusetts (White Horse Beach) to Provincetown (Herring Cove) on August 21, 2012.
- Eileen Burke, Janet Harris, and David Barra also completed the swim on the same day, but Greg was the first to finish.
- First successful crossing of Cape Cod Bay since 1968, and only the second ever.
- Final time 10 hours, 22 minutes, 13 seconds.
- Observed by ??????????

Links:

• Boston Globe
• Marathon Swimmers Forum discussion
• Daily News of OWS
• Report by Janet Harris url="http://forums.usms.org/blog.php?bt=90201"]Part 1[/url], [url="http://forums.usms.org/blog.php?b=24345"]Part 2[/url], [url="http://forums.usms.org/blog.php?b=24372"]Part 3[/url

loneswimmer

Trent Grimsey, new English Channel World Record.

6 hours 55 mins on September 7th.

Swim Association: CS&PF

Start at Shakespeare Beach, finish at Cap Griz Nez. Pilot: Mike Oram, Observer: Brian (CS&PF)

(My series of blog reports on the swim begins here)

CS&PF announcement.

Trent's chart:.

The English Channel is the birthplace of our sport. Any English Channel record, fastest or longest, becomes instantly iconic.

As current FINA World Number 1, it might be assumed that Trent somehow had special circumstances, however he booked his slot 3 years ago, like us mere mortals, and took his chance with the weather during the tide, like the rest of us. Of all the swims this year, whom amongst you don't know about his record?

evmo

I nominate Wayne Soutter, pioneer of a new North Channel route from Mull of Kintyre (Scotland) to Ballycastle (N. Ireland).

11 statute miles in 12h11m.

@loneswimmer, can you help fill in some of the blanks on this?

Links

• Loneswimmer guest article, Part 1
• Loneswimmer guest article, Part 2
• Loneswimmer guest article, Part 3
• News report
• DNOWS guest post
• DNOWS report

ssthomas

I nominate Craig Lenning, who crossed the Tsugaru Channel this summer in a time of 10 hours, 44 minutes. Not only was the route done a new route that aimed to avoid some of the nasty currents that have thwarted many previous attempts, but it was also Craig's second attempt in 3 days. On the 28th of August, Craig failed in his first attempt and was pulled from the water after more than 10 hours of swimming. On September 1, he gave it another, successful try. Craig is truly a pioneer for our sport.

Organization- Tsugaru Strait Swimming Association, www.tsugaruswim.com
Observer- Mr. Iishi

http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2012/08/tsugaru-channel-challenges.html?m=1

http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2012/09/tsugaru-try-try-again.html?m=1

loneswimmer

Wayne's Mull of Kintyre route was observed by the ILSDA (Irish Long Distance Swimming Association) and Observer Gary Knox, if I recall. August 20th, finish at Ballycastle.

Wayne's annotated map of the swim here.

The Mull of Kintyre route has been attempted previously by Mercedes Gleick, famous woman swimming pioneer in the late 1920s. Before Wayne's swim CS&PF pilot Mike Oram was warning of currents and standing waves, and none other than Kevin Murphy warned of very strong tidal currents, not the mention the summer-time water temperature of 12 deg. C.

ForeverSwim

I would like to nominate Stephen Redmond for his July 2012 Tsugaru Channel completion. It was an honor to spend time with Stephen in Japan while we both prepared for our attempts, but what struck me the most was his dedication to the sport, and perseverance to complete the Oceans Seven. As I was leaving Tappi Misaki to travel back to Tokyo, he looked at me with a straight face, and said "I am not going back to Ireland until I complete this swim" - an amazing statement indeed. To show how supportive he is, after I completed my swim, he was down at the dock running to meet me ONLY A FEW HOURS BEFORE HIS ATTEMPT!! He was so excited to follow the Spot tracker that he "couldn't sleep" and needed to hear about the swim! After a quick hug and a congratulatory head-butt, he just couldn't stay quiet about how happy he was for me - this is something I will never forget! I am proud to submit this nomination for an incredible athlete, and a kind individual!

AquaRob

I'd like to nominate Evan Morrison's (@evmo) record breaking Santa Cruz Island Swim. I got to watch this swim in person and the conditions sucked so hard that I think I busted a rib puking. What I think people don't realize about Santa Cruz Island is how hard the swim is despite looking very Catalina-esque on Google Maps. The moods of the water are more extreme and there aren't boats doing this every weekday in summer. Evan's swim was the first time I've gone on a swim where we didn't know how or where to actually start... it's also the first swim I've been on where I thought we were going to maim or kill the swimmer at the start. Santa Cruz Island is a soul crusher.

19 Miles (30.6km) from San Pedro Point, Santa Cruz Island to Hollywood Beach, Oxnard, CA on September 15th 2012

Final time 9 hours, 47 minutes, 39 seconds, 40 minutes faster than the previous record set in 2006

Sanctioned by the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association and Observed by Dave VanMouwerik (@VanMou)

the swim from Evan's perspective starts here: http://www.freshwaterswimmer.com/2012/09/report-santa-cruz-island/

As a bonus, Evan opened this swim up to a documentary crew to help promote and demystify the sport of marathon swimming to the film festival going public.

evmo

Thanks Rob

I'm honored by the nomination but I think it's probably best if the current Forum admins exclude themselves. At least until Donal does his triple EC next year, then we'll make an exception!

AquaRob

I had a feeling you'd feel that way but it was a bad ass swim and somebody needed to say it out loud

ForeverSwim

@aquarob - You sir are a bad-ass.. Stuff of legends

emkhowley

I nominate Bill Shipp, 52 of Mitchellville, MD for his performance during In Search of Memphre 2012, a 25-mile international lake swim the length of Lake Memphremagog between Newport, VT and Magog, Quebec, Canada completed on September 8, 2012 in 12 hours, 38 minutes. The swim is part of the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association's (NEKOWSA) offerings of swims, and Shipp completed this swim as part of the second annual “race” event. More details about the swim can be found on the website here: http://www.insearchofmemphre.com/

Shipp is relatively new to ultra-distance marathon swimming, and I’m nominating him because he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer on this swim and has persevered to the finishline through more than just rough water.

In 2011, about a year after being diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer, he jumped in to the Memphre challenge hoping that his previous longest swim—10 miles—would be enough to see him through the brutal conditions. It was not, and though quitting early was something of a personal disappointment for him, he soon realized how lucky he was just to be able to take part and vowed to try again in 2012 after some rejiggering of his training program. Perhaps the biggest changes to his program were seeking out advice from more experienced swimmers and using positive affirmations. That was all well and good in the 2012 event until the last 5 miles of the swim when conditions deteriorated and swimmers were being tossed around in a windy washing machine. Still, he kept his head in the game by reminding himself that he’d beaten cancer, so he could complete this. He also did not want to let down Phil White, the organizer of the event and a force for good in the open water world. Those thoughts sustained him to an impressive second place finish, shortly after dodging a windsurfer aiming for his head as he approached Magog.

Shipp credits White and others in the swim community with helping him succeed by simply believing in him and giving him reasons to believe in himself. I think he deserves a lot of credit for tackling and succeeding in the “Monster” swim despite all the reasons to quit.

Fil

I know there have been many impressive open water achievements this year. There are a number of super stars out there who have done some extraordinary swims.

If this is the place or if there is another place to honor an "everyman" of marathon swimming, who has overcome great obstacles, enormous challenges, and set backs, not necessarily with talent or athletic ability, but with guts, perseverance and determination -- and who has triumphed in a monster of a swim, I would join Elaine's nomination, not because Bill is exceptional, but rather because I think Bill represents and reflects the best of what I see in so many marathon swimmers.

evmo

A private nomination:

Tony Lillios - first-ever double-crossing of Crater Lake. Tandem swim with Kate Howell.

12 miles in ~6.5 hours on 13 August 2012. Water temp 55F (12.8C).

No escort boat because non-Park Service boats aren't allowed on the lake. Nourishment carried in dry bag towed behind the swimmer.

No observer, so this won't be eligible for final voting - but it's a totally cool swim that's worth mentioning.

Links:

• Oregonian article
• Daily News of OWS article

EDIT: It's been pointed out that the diameter of Crater Lake is somewhat less than 6 miles. More like 4.7-4.8 statute miles - so a ~9.5-mile two-way. Possibly this confusion arose from quoting the GPS-measured distance swum, as opposed to the straight-line distance (which is the preferred method of measuring marathon swims).

Thank you, fact-checkers!

IronMike

What? People are allowed to swim in Crater Lake?! Going to those links right now.

evmo

From @ScottZornig:

Jim McConica - record-breaking Santa Barbara Channel swim at 61 years old.

Anacapa Island (near Arch Rock) to Silver Strand Beach - 12.4 miles in 4 hours, 38 minutes, 7 seconds, on 2 October 2012.

20 minutes faster than the previous speed record, attained by 17-year old Nicholas Vargas only 28 days before.

Sanctioned by the SBCSA and observed by Anne Cleveland.

Daily News of OWS article

Swimalison

I too would like to nominate Bill Shipp as outstanding male solo swim of the year. I was a proud member of Bill Shipp's crew team for the Memphre swim 2012. I have never seen such an intense situation in any open water marathon swim. Bill astounded me with his determination. I never ONCE heard him complain or threaten to give up in all the 25 mile swim. And we are talking 3 foot waves and 25 mile an hour winds for the last 5 miles of a 25 mile swim. We struggled to stay with Bill in our little 12 foot aluminum boat. Thankfully the captain of the boat knew how to deal with such extreme conditions. Bill missed his last 2-3 feeds once the waves picked up and finish on the beach in Magog was in sight. I will never forget this swim. It was so intense and brought me to tears. I was nervous yet so beyond proud of my friend. Bill deserves this recognition. He hasn't allowed cancer nor anything else in his busy life affect his own goals and dreams... Bill is such a fine example for us all!

evmo

Last-minute private nomination for Gabor Molnar's unprecedented 37.2km swim from Őcsöd to Csongràd in the Körös River in Hungary. 9h 30m in 22-23C water temp.

Other details (e.g., independent observer) unknown; please add additional info to this thread.

Daily News of OWS article

Nominations will close at 11:59pm GMT this Sunday. If you have someone in mind, now's the time!