- Long-distance swimming
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The distances that distinguish long distance swimming from ordinary swimming are those distances that are longer than are typically swum in pool competitions. When a given swim calls more on endurance than outright speed, the more likely it is to be considered a long distance swim. Long distance swims, however, may take place in pools, such as ultra-long distances swum in 1997 by Grant Robinson's and Kelly Driffield (24hr swims of a 50m long pool, approx 100 km) .[1] Some of the more well-known long-distance swims are crossings of the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Cook Strait.
Ultra-long distance swimming is sometimes referred to as marathon swimming. The minimum distance that constitutes a marathon swim has dramatically shortened over time. Various organizations adopt various minimum distances.
Long distance swims tend to fall into one of two categories, 1) swims in which the start date and start time are chosen by the individual swimmer (often called solo-swims), and 2) swims that involve a group-start.
World marathon swimming records can be set by being the first to swim a specific distance in a specific course in a specific body of water or the fastest or the oldest or the most prolific (i.e., the most number of times in a specific location). World records are authenticated by independent observers and are defined by distance, gender, age, location and time. Distance is separated into world marathon swimming records (at least 10 kilometers) [2] or world open water swimming records (under 10 kilometers). [3]
The Half Century Club is a list of marathon swimmers over the age of 50 years who have successfully swum across major channels around the world. [4] The Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming includes three famous marathon swims around the world: (1) 21 miles (33.7K) across the English Channel between England and France, (2) 21 miles (33.7K) across the Catalina Channel in Southern California, USA, and (3) 28.5 miles (45.8K) around the Manhattan Island in New York, USA. Membership in the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming requires authentification of each of these three swim [5]
The Ocean’s Eighh are marathon swimming's equivalent of the Seven Summits. The Ocean’s Eight include (1) Irish Channel between Ireland and Scotland, (2) Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand, (3) Molokai Channel between Oahu and Molokai Islands in Hawaii, (4) English Channel between England and France, (5) Catalina Channel between Santa Catalina Island and Southern California, (6) Tsugaru Channel between the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido in Japan, and (7) Strait of Gibraltar between Europe and Africa(8)Strait of Belt between Denmark and Germany. No one has yet completed the Ocean’s Eight, but many swimmers are currently trying. [6]
Contents
Organization Regulations
Swim organizations, for the purposes of their record keeping, often impose other rules. FINA and International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame do not keep records for swims that employ thermal insulating material, drag reduction fabric, buoyancy aide, breathing apparatus, propulsion prosthetic, etc.... For major channel crossings, most organizations do allow the swimmer to use outside help. An example being that the swimmer swims alongside a boat which uses sophisticated electronics and telecommunications to help the swimmer take the easiest path through surface currents and tides. Such boats can also make the challenge easier for the swimmer by blocking wind and surface chop. Such boats also carry food and hot beverages for the swimmer to consume periodically during the swim (e.g. every 20 to 30 minutes).
In another variant, some swim organizations simply have different sets of records for different equipment scenarios (e.g. wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions), similar to the structure of free diving record keeping.
Long distance swimming in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has a rich tradition in these races, which are known in Dutch as langebaanzwemmen (literally "long lane swimming") . As of 2004[update], some have been organised continuously for over 50 years. Many Dutch competitors have also achieved prestige in the international arena, such as Herman Willemse, Judith de Nijs, Lenie de Nijs, Joke van Staveren, Monique Wildschut, Irene van der Laan, Hans van Goor, Edith van Dijk and Maarten van der Weijden(olimpic medalist).
In the Netherlands, there are three categories of langebaanzwemmen:
- Prestatietochten (lit. "achievement-tour"): distances over 250 m for all categories (inclusive of participants without a racing permit).
- Langeafstandzwemmen (lit. "long distance swimming): distances up to 10 km. This category includes open water events. In this category there are the Open Nationale Kampioenschappen in 5 km and 10 km freestyle, with separate events for professionals and amateurs, and
- Marathonzwemmen (lit. "marathon swimming"): distances over 10 km. The Nationale Kampioenschap (national championship) in this category is a joint venture with neighbouring Belgium.
Most events are in the long distance category, with around 25 in the Netherlands. An approximately equal number are organised in Flanders in Belgium. The waterways of the Low Countries, therefore, are some of the busiest in open water swimming in the world.
Long distance swimmers
- Joseph N. Callahan [7]
- Martin Strel
See also
- Category: Long-distance swimmers
- Open water swimming
- Long-distance swimming in the open water
- Fehmarn Belt
- Beltquerung[1]
References
- ^ "soloswims.com 24 hour pool". http://soloswims.com/24-hour-pool.htm.
- ^ http://www.openwatersource.com/marathon-swimming-records.html
- ^ http://www.openwatersource.com/open-water-swimming-records.html
- ^ http://www.openwatersource.com/half-century-club.html
- ^ http://www.openwatersource.com/triple-crown-of-open-water-swimming.html
- ^ http://www.openwatersource.com/oceans-seven.html
- ^ "Joseph Callahan". The Pittsburgh Press. July 14, 1907. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ShUbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y0gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3774,2497822&dq=joseph-callahan+swimmer&hl=en. Retrieved 2010-10-18. "Pittsburgh endurance swimmer Joseph Callahan enjoys the fame of having accomplished one of the longest water journeys on record in the Philippine Islands ..."
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