World Open Water Swimming Association

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

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 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 | 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 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, 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. 🌊