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Who's Who of Open Water Swimming
From Captain Matthew Webb who first crossed the English Channel in 1875 to Lynne Cox who was the first person to swim in Antarctica, open water swimming has always attracted heroic and risk-taking adventurers. Many, but not all, of these adventurers have been inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF).
This 10-part historical series will cover open water luminaries ranging from Keo Nakama, who first crossed the Molokai Channel in Hawaii, to modern-day heroes like Shelley Taylor-Smith.
First, a brief introduction of the IMSHOF may be useful to understanding how these great open water athletes were selected.
In 1961, the IMSHOF was founded by the Professional Marathon Swimmers Association to recognize the accomplished marathon swimmers. The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida provides similar recognition to the pool swimmers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, divers, coaches and administrators. Under the direction of Buck Dawson, the ISHOF founder and executive director, the IMSHOF began its affiliation with the ISHOF.
Currently, the IMSHOF is governed and administered by Dale Petranech, its chairman and chief historian, and an international 24-member selection committee. The selection committee includes the following individuals:
- Shelley Taylor-Smith of Australia, the dominant female professional marathon swimmer from the mid-1980’s to the mid-1990’s and current Secretary General of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee.
- Sid Cassidy, current chairman of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and former pro marathon swimmer.
- Tim Johnson of Massachusetts, author of The History of Open Water Swimming and the world’s foremost authority on tidal influences on open water swimmers.
- Paul Asmuth of California, the dominant professional marathon swimmer of the 1980’s.
- Michael Read of England, 1960 Olympic Games swimmer and former holder of the title King of the Channel for his 33 successful swims of the English Channel (to date).
- Conrad Wennerberg of Illinois, Chairman Emeritus of the IMSHOF and author of Winds, Waves and Sunburn: A Brief History of Marathon Swimming, one of the most authoritative books written on marathon swimming.
- Steven Munatones of California, creator of www.10Kswim.com, multi-time USA Swimming open water coach and former professional marathon swimmer.
- Alison Streeter of the U.K., Queen of the Channel for her 43 successful swims of the English Channel.
- Kevin Murphy of the U.K., current King of the Channel for his 34 successful swims of the English Channel.
- Pierre Otis of Canada, former Chairman of the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean.
- Dale Petranech of New Jersey, chairman of the IMSHOF and former chairman of the FINA Open Water Swimming Commission.
- Carol Sing of California, oldest female swimmer to cross the English Channel.
- Montserrat Tresserras of Spain, first Spaniard to swim the Straits of Gibraltar and English Channel and first female swimmer to swim the English Channel both ways (1961).
- Irene van der Laan of the Netherlands, former English Channel double-crossing record holder and long-time professional marathon swimmer.
- Lynn Blouin of Canada, race director of the Traversée internationale du Lac Memphrémagag and Vice President of the IMSHOF.
- Richard Broer of the Netherlands, creator of Netherlands Open Water web (www.noww.nl) and open water swimming promoter.
- David Clark of California, a swimmer of, and coach, escort and observer for swimmers of the Catalina Channel and English Channel.
- Buck Dawson, the founder and Director Emeritus of ISHOF and Camp Director of Camp Ak-O-Mak and long-time supporter of open water swimming.
- Bob Duenkel of Florida, the Curator and Assistant CEO of the ISHOF and former USA Swimming national open water team coach.
- Silvia Dalotto of Argentina, a certified FINA Open Water official, advocate of South American open water swimmers and former top professional marathon swimmer.
- James Doty of Massachusetts, a former professional marathon swimmer and founder of the New England Marathon Swimming Association.
- Maurice Ferguson of the U.K., former president of the British Long Distance Swimming Association.
- Dr. Marcella MacDonald of Connecticut, successfully completed 6 English Channel crossing including a double-crossing.
- Dr. Osama Ahmed Momtaz of Egypt, recipient of the National Award of Excellency in Sport from the Egyptian Government, Director of the Egyptian Swimming Federation and former professional marathon swimmer.
The IMSOF not only attempts to recognize the efforts of the most accomplished swimmers who participate in competitive events, but also recognizes the efforts of solo swims, where the swimmer battles the elements and unchartered waters.
The objectives of the IMSHOF are:
- To nominate and select outstanding marathon swimmers and officials who make the sport possible. To date over 160 individuals and organizations have been honored. Anyone may nominate a candidate for consideration by submitting an application.
- To establish and maintain a biography on the swimmers selected as IMSHOF honorees.
- To accept nominations and award The Irving Davids/Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award established in 1970 by the New England Marathon Swimming Association on behalf of the ISHOF which honors the contribution of individuals who make major contributions to marathon swimming.
- To nominate, select and award a IMSHOF Certificate of Merit to swimmers and organizations who make major contributions to marathon swimming. This program was started in 1994 to recognize those who may not (yet) meet the standards for honoree status. To date, over 110 individuals and organizations have been honored. Anyone may nominate a candidate for consideration by submitting an application.
- To accept official records for the ISHOF Henning Library and memorabilia for the ISHOF Museum.
- To serve as resource and provide expertise to the ISHOF committees on matters related to open water swimming and marathon swimming.
- To record marathon swims that are observed, but are not conducted under the jurisdiction of an official or sanctioning body. The role is to record, for historical purposes, the conditions and methods used by and reported by the swimmer. A certificate of the recording can be obtained upon request from the IMSHOF Secretary.
Stay tuned – for this is only part 1 of a 10-part series on the world’s greatest open water swimmers or marathon swimming endeavors.
International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees
* Member of International Swimming Hall of Fame
** Recipient of International Swimming Hall of Fame Gold Medallion
1963
SIR BILLY BUTLIN, GBR
*GERTRUDE EDERLE , USA
MARTY SINN, USA
*MATHEW WEBB, GBR
HERMAN WILLEMSE, NED
GEORGE YOUNG, CAN
1964
ANTONIO ABERTONDO, ARG
*GRETA ANDERSON, DEN
TOM BLOWER, GBR
JUDITH VAN BERKEL-DE NIJS, NED
* ABDULLA LATIF ABOU HEIF, EGY
WILLIAM WRIGLEY, USA
1965
PEDRO CANDIOTTI, ARG
BROJEN DAS BAN
*GERALD FORSBERG, GBR
*ANNETTE KELLERMAN, AUS/USA
GENERAL SABRY, EGY
JOHN SIGMUND, USA
1966
*FLORENCE CHADWICK, USA
GEORGE DUTHIE, CAN
HASSAN ABDEL RHEIM, EGY
MIHIR SEN, IND
GUILIO TRAVAGLIO, ITA
CHARLES ZIBLEMAN
1967
MARILYN BELL, CAN
CAVILL FAMILY, AUS
JOSE CORTINAS, ARG
*HORACIO INGLESIAS, ARG
KEO NAKAMA, USA
LOTTIE SCHOEMMEL, USA
1968
BARRY DAVENPORT
OTTO KAMMERICH, GER
LINDA MC GILL, AUS
TOM PARK, USA
HENRY SULLIVAN, USA
JABERZ WOLFFE, GBR
1969
MERCEDES GLEITZE, GBR
CARLOS LARRIERA, ARG
CLIFF LUMSDEN, CAN
DAVID SMITH, USA
BERT THOMAS, USA
PATTY THOMPSON
1970
ROBERT DOWLING, USA
HELGE JENSEN, DEN
JOHAN SCHANS, NED
BRENDA SHERRATT
MONTSERRAT TRESSERRAS, ESP
*JOHNNY WEISSMULLER, USA
1971
ELAINE GRAY, GBR
BAPTISTA PEREIRA, POR
SHADIA EL RAGEB
ENRICO TIRABOSCHI, ITA
JAMES TOOMEY, USA
JASON ZIRGANOS GRE
1973
LILIAN HARRISON
EVA MORRISON, USA
IMRE SZENASI, HUN
BARRY WATSON, GBR
FENG YAO-HSIEN, CHI
MAJOR GENERAL AHMED ZORKANI, EGY
1974-1976
NO HONOREES SELECTED
1977
DENNIS MATUCH, USA
KEVIN MURPHY, GBR
CONRAD WENNERBERG, USA
1978
ALFREDO CAMARERO, ARG
TED ERICKSON, USA
JERRY KERSCHNER, USA
*JOHN KINSELLA, USA
*CYNTHIA NICHOLAS, CAN
DIANA NYAD, USA
MICHEAL READ, GBR
DES RENFORD, AUS
ERNEST VIERKOETTER, GER
1979
ERSIN AYDIN, TUR
NASSER EL SHAZLY, UAE
JOE GROSSMAN, USA
ALAWI MAKKI, UAE
MARVIN NELSON, USA
STEVE WOZNIAK, USA
1980
*PENNY LEE DEAN, USA
PAOLE DONNAGGIO
ISHAK HELMY, EGY
TOM HETZEL, USA
JOHN SLATER GBR
1981
*JAMES "DOC" COUNSILMAN, USA
JON ERICKSON, USA
CLAUDIO PLIT, ARG
GUS RYDER, CAN
RALPH WILLARD, USA
1982
PAUL ASMUTH, USA
LORD BYRON, GBR
CHRISTINE COSSETTE, CAN
*LYNN COX, USA
STELLA TAYLOR, USA
1983
TINA BISCHOFF, USA
TOM BURGESS, GBR
*BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, USA
DAVID MORGAN, GBR
AUDREY AND RAY SCOTT, GBR
1984
ASHBY "BRUD" HARPER, USA
TED KEENAN, IRE
MAY LOONEY
MARTHA NORELIUS, USA
NORMAN ROSS, USA
1985
MAGDA MOLNAR, HUN
**JIM MORAN, USA
JULIE RIDGE, USA
PHILIP RUSH, NZL
ALISON STREETER, GBR
JAN VAN SCHEYNDAL
IRENE VAN DER LAAN, NED
1986
TOM WATCH, GBR
1987
TANARATH SHENOY, IND
1988
LYNDON DUNSBEE, GBR
MARC NEWMAN, GBR
BRIDGET YOUNG, GBR
1989
VALERIE PARSON, GBR
SHELLY TAYLOR-SMITH, AUS
JOHN YORK, USA
1991
JAMES KEGLEY, USA
ANNEMIE LANDMETERS, BEL
1992
DAVID ALLEVA, USA
LELLO BARBUTO, ITA
DR CHRIS STOCKDALE, GBR
1993
*BUCK DAWSON, USA
MONIQUE WILDSCHUT, NED
1994
CAROLE HUNT, GBR
SARAH HUNT, GBR
FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE
NATATION AMATEUR (FINA)
1995
JACQUES AMYOT, CAN
DIEGO DEGANO, ARG
DALE PETRANECH, USA
1996
THE CHANNEL SWIMMING
ASSOCIATION GBR
CHAD HUNDEBY, USA
GREG STREPPLE, CAN
1997
DR. HARRY H. BRIGGS, USA
MARIAN CASSIDY KEEN, USA
ROGER PARSONS, GBR
1998
ANNE CHAGNAULD, FRA
ATILA MOLNAR, HUN
VELJKO ROGOSIC, YUG
TREVOR SMITH, GBR
1999
KAREN BURTON REEDER, USA
BILLY WALLACE, IRL
DAVID YUDOVIN, USA
2000
MARGARET PARKS WISNISKI, CAN
CAROL SING, USA
2001
ALIBILO COUTO, BRA
GUSTAVO ORIOZBALA, ARG
**JAMES WHELAN, USA
2002
BRITISH LONG DISTANCE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION, GBR
STEVEN MUNATONES, USA
WILLY VAN RYSAL, GBR
2003
REG BRICKELL (SENIOR), GBR
PEGGY BUCHSE, GER
MAURICE FERGUSON, GBR
ROSEMARY GEORGE, GBR
VICKI KEITH, CAN
NORMAN TRUSTY, GBR
2004
ROBERT COSSETTE, CAN
IGOR DE SOUZA, BRA
CHRISTOF WANDRATSCH, GER
LYNN BLOUIN, CAN
DAVID STEVENS CLARK, USA
FRANCIS (FRANK) RICHARDS, GBR
LEONARD HUTCHINSON, GBR
RIGHT HON. WILLIAM J. LONG OB, GBR
MICHAEL ORAM, GBR
2005
SID CASSIDY, USA
DANIEL EULOGIO CARPIO MASSIOTI “CARPAYO”, PER
SILVIA DALOTTO, ARG
PETER JURZYNSKI, USA
MARCELLA A MACDONALD PDM, USA
SUSIE MARONEY AUS
SALLY ANNE MINTY-GRAVETT GBR
JOE SMITH GBR
FREDA STREETER GBR
DUNCAN TAYLOR GBR
CARL WALKER GBR PILOT
2006
JULIE BRADSHAW, GBR
NORA TOLEDANO CADENA, MEX
TIM JOHNSON, USA
GILLES POTVIN, CAN
MERVYN SHARP, GBR
2007
EDITH VAN DYKE, NED
STEPHANE LECAT, FRA
OSAMA AHMED MOMTAZ, EGY
DAVID WHYTE, GBR
VICKO SOLJAN, CRO
International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Merit Winners
In 1994 the Selection Committee of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame decided to create the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Certificate of Merit to recognize and honor swimmers and major contributors to Open Water/Marathon Swimming.
Because a swimmer must be retired from active participation before being considered for inclusion in the IMSHOF, the swimmer may have to wait years before they can be recognized. The committee can award a Certificate of Merit to any swimmer winning an international marathon event or who has medaled in the FINA 25 Kilometer World Championships.
They will also consider presenting the award for major solo efforts, except when
The swim was attempted as part of another sanctioning body having authority in the swim, for example the English Channel or Around Manhattan Island. The committee felt it is the sanctioning bodies’ responsibility to honor the swims under their control. The Selection committee will consider issuing a Certificate of Merit if that body so requests.
The committee will also consider Certificates of Merit for any individual or group making a major contribution to the sport.
No specific criterion is used in the selection process and each case is considered on an individual basis.
Only one certificate is issued to an individual or group, and they can be considered at a later date for inclusion in the IMSHOF as an honoree, with the exception of an anniversary certificate as was the case in the Lac St Jean 50th Annual Race.
Certificate of Merit International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame
Individual Swimmer
| Recipient |
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Country |
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Year |
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Recipient |
|
Country |
|
Year |
Alexei Akatiev |
|
Russia |
|
1994 |
|
Kathrin Lammers |
|
Germany |
|
2003 |
Ester Balza |
|
Hungary |
|
1999 |
|
Laura La Piani |
|
Italy |
|
2005 |
David Bates |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
|
Stephane Lecat |
|
France |
|
1996 |
Ton Brouwer |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
|
Susie Maroney |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
Tamara Bruce |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
|
Martha Jahn Martin |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
Karen Burton |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
|
Igor Majen |
|
Slovania |
|
2001 |
Peggy Busche |
|
Germany |
|
1996 |
|
Yuko Matsuzaki |
|
Japan |
|
1997 |
Vanessa Bouisset |
|
France |
|
1997 |
|
Angela Maurer |
|
Germany |
|
2007 |
Brenden Chapel |
|
Australia |
|
2005 |
|
David Meca |
|
Spain |
|
1997 |
George Brunstad |
|
United States |
|
2004 |
|
Simone Menoni |
|
Italy |
|
1998 |
Mariam Cassidy |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
|
Attila Molnar |
|
Hungary |
|
1995 |
Sid Cassidy |
|
United States |
|
1995 |
|
David O'Brien |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
Samantha Chabotar |
|
United States |
|
1996 |
|
Natalia Pankina |
|
Russia |
|
2001 |
Anne Chagnaud |
|
France |
|
1994 |
|
Rafael Perez |
|
Argentina |
|
2003 |
Gabriel Chailou |
|
Argentina |
|
1997 |
|
Cindy Persoon |
|
Belgium |
|
2000 |
Sergio Chiarandini |
|
Italy |
|
1994 |
|
Dimitar Petrov |
|
Bulgaria |
|
1996 |
Melissa Cunningham |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
|
Darija Pop |
|
Serbia/Montenegro |
|
2006 |
Silvia Dalotto |
|
Argentina |
|
1994 |
|
Ksina Popova |
|
Russia |
|
2007 |
Diego Degano |
|
Argentina |
|
1994 |
|
Celeste Punet |
|
Argentina |
|
2003 |
Igor De Souza |
|
Brazil |
|
1997 |
|
Frank Reynolds |
|
United States |
|
1996 |
Kelly Dixon |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
|
Grant Robinson |
|
Australia |
|
1996 |
Kelly Driffield |
|
Australia |
|
1998 |
|
Anton Sanatchev |
|
Russia |
|
2001 |
Julio Fernandez |
|
Argentina |
|
1994 |
|
Nathalie Sauvageau |
|
Canada |
|
1994 |
Morgan Filer |
|
United States |
|
2004 |
|
Ragan Schniber |
|
United States |
|
1999 |
Fabio Fusi |
|
Italy |
|
1999 |
|
Guus Razoux Schutz |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
Marco Formentini |
|
Italy |
|
2007 |
|
Carol Sing |
|
United States |
|
1999 |
Jack Gillen |
|
United States |
|
1998 |
|
Tobie Smith |
|
United States |
|
1997 |
Annie Grandisson |
|
Canada |
|
1994 |
|
Greg Streppel |
|
Canada |
|
1994 |
Stephane Gomez |
|
France |
|
2001 |
|
Pater Stoychev |
|
Bulgaria |
|
1999 |
Lisa Hazen |
|
United States |
|
1996 |
|
Natasa Tomanovic |
|
Croatia |
|
1994 |
Yvetta Hlavacova |
|
Czech Republic |
|
2007 |
|
Fernando Terrilli |
|
Argentina |
|
1994 |
Pete Huisveld |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
|
Viola Valli |
|
Italy |
|
2000 |
Chad Hundeby |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
|
Edith Van Dijk |
|
Holland |
|
1997 |
Zoltan Kade |
|
Hungary |
|
1994 |
|
Hans Van Goor |
|
Netherlands |
|
1994 |
Britta Kamrau |
|
Germany |
|
1997 |
|
Christof Wandratsch |
|
Germany |
|
1994 |
Kaylin Keller |
|
United States |
|
2007 |
|
Andre Wilde |
|
Germany |
|
1999 |
Tracey Knowles |
|
Australia |
|
1998 |
|
Chuck Wiley |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
Iouri Koudinov |
|
Russia |
|
2007 |
|
Ria Wilemse |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
Kudinova Juri |
|
Russia |
|
2007 |
|
Mohammed Zanata |
|
Egypt |
|
2004 |
Certificate of Merit International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame
Individual Coach Administrator
| Recipient |
|
Country |
|
Year |
|
Recipient |
|
Country |
|
Year |
Timur Absaliamov |
|
Russia/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
|
Mahmoud Hassan |
|
Egypt/FINA-TOWSC |
|
1997 |
Frank D'Alonzo |
|
USA/IMSA |
|
1997 |
|
Klaus Henter |
|
Germany/FINA TOWSC |
|
1997 |
Hans Beijer |
|
Netherlands/FINA |
|
2000 |
|
Kevin Holtom |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
Valerijus Belovas |
|
Lithuania\FINA |
|
2000 |
|
Manuel de Jesus |
|
Puerto Rico/FINA |
|
1994 |
Lynn Blouin |
|
Canada/IMSA |
|
1997 |
|
Tim Johnson |
|
United States |
|
2005 |
Flavio Bomio |
|
Switzerland/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
|
Nory Kruchen |
|
Luxenburg/FINA |
|
2000 |
Diki Bojadazi |
|
Macedonia/IMSA |
|
1997 |
|
William Matson |
|
New Zealand/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
Svyatoslav Borisevitch |
|
Belarus/FINA-TOWSC |
|
1997 |
|
Lauie Marchwinski |
|
United States |
|
2007 |
Dardo Brando |
|
Argentina/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
|
Dennis Miller |
|
Fiji Islands/FINATOWSC |
|
1997 |
Dick Campion |
|
Australia |
|
1994 |
|
Patric Mills |
|
United States |
|
1999 |
Jamie Cardenas |
|
Columbia |
|
2000 |
|
Jaroslav Novak |
|
Czech Republic/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
David Clark |
|
United States |
|
1995 |
|
Coaracy Nunes Filho |
|
Brazil/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
Alan Clarkson |
|
Great Britain/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
|
Pierre Otis |
|
Canada/IMSA |
|
1997 |
Georges Delgado |
|
Ecuador/FINA TOWSC |
|
2005 |
|
Clive Rickards |
|
Australia/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
Dr. Mohie Farid |
|
Eygpt/FINA |
|
2000 |
|
Monier Sabry |
|
Egypt/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
Paulo Frishkencht |
|
Portugal/FINA TOWSC |
|
2005 |
|
Nancy Schnaar |
|
United States |
|
1998 |
Christopher Guesdon |
|
Australia/FINA TOWSC |
|
1997 |
|
Vladimir Srb |
|
Czech Republic/FINA |
|
2000 |
Thomas Haces |
|
Cuba/FINA |
|
2000 |
|
Gunnar Werner |
|
Sweden/FINA |
|
1994 |
Ronnie Wong |
|
Hong Kong/FINA TOWSC |
|
1994 |
|
Otto & RinyZeijpveld |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
Certificate of Merit International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame
Organizations
| Recipient |
|
Country |
|
Year |
Camp Ak-O-Mak |
|
Canada |
|
2006 |
Camp Chicopi |
|
Canada |
|
2006 |
Organizing Committee, Hernandarias/Parana Marathon |
|
Argentina |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Traversee du Lac Memphremaog |
|
Canada |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Traversee du Lac St. Jean |
|
Canada |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Around the Island Swim Atlantic City |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
Channel Swimming Association |
|
Great Britain |
|
1994 |
Catalina Channel Swimming Federation |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Riviera Marathon |
|
Italy |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Capri/Napoli Marathon |
|
Italy |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Tapes Marathon |
|
Brazil |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Santa Fe/Coronda Maraton |
|
Argentina |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, Manhattan Island Swim Association |
|
United States |
|
1994 |
British Long Distance Swimming Association (BLDSA) |
|
Great Britain |
|
1994 |
Organizing Committee, First FINA World Open Water Championships- Honolulu |
|
Hawaii, United States |
|
2000 |
Organizing committee, FINA Marathon World Cup, Rosario |
|
Argentina |
|
2000 |
Organizing Committee, FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup, Bled |
|
Slovakia |
|
2000 |
Atlantic City 50th Annual Swim |
|
United States |
|
2003 |
Lac St Jean 50th Annual Swim |
|
Canada |
|
2004 |
Scheerwolde |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
Vlaandereren Marathon |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
Oosterhoutse Zwem & Polo Club De Warande |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
IJsselmeerzwemmarathon |
|
Netherlands |
|
2007 |
Click here to download and print the Application for Recording a Marathon Swim. (.PDF format)
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