2012 London Olympics 10K Marathon Swim

Although the 2012 London Olympics 10K Marathon Swim has yet to be formally approved by the IOC, unofficial rumors have circulated that the race might be held in Lake Serpentine in Hyde Park in the heart of London.

World-class open water swimmers like Damian Blaum of Argentina have already created websites celebrating their anticipated participation in the 2012 London Olympic 10K.

USA Swimming announced its plans to get its best open water swimmers ready for London. The USA Swimming National Team 2009-2012 Quadrennial Plan is as follows:

2009
June 14: 2009 World Swimming Championships Selection Meet in Ft. Myers, Florida
July 13-19: International Training Camp
July 19-25: 2009 World Swimming Championships in Rome, Italy
August: USA Swimming National Open Water 10K Championships
September 7: FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup on Governor's Island, New York

2010
July 17-22: 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships in Lac St-Jean, Quebec, Canada
August: USA Swimming National Open Water 10K Championships
August 23: Pan Pacific Championships (Open Water)

2011
July 17-23: 2011 World Swimming Championships (open water) in Shanghai, China
August: USA Swimming National Open Water 10K Championships

2012
July 27-August 20: London Olympic Games

If the 2012 Olympic 10K race is indeed held in Lake Serpentine, there is an annual Peter Pan Christmas Day Race that was captured by U.S. Marine Major, Duff Kelly:



Photo of Lake Serpentine and the Serpentine Swimming Club members is from the Serpentine Swimming Club website. Kevin Murphy and many English Channel swimmers are members of the Serpentine Swimming Club website.

Natalie du Toit and Chad Ho Honored

This weekend, Natalie du Toit and Chad Ho were honored at the annual Telkom Annual Aquatics Awards ceremonies.

du Toit was named Swimming South Africa's Personality of the Year through a public vote over the Internet.

17-year-old Chad Ho, the youngest male swimmer in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim, was a popular choice as Open Water Swimmer of the Year. Ho came back from a terrible eye injury suffered at the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Championships in May to finish 9th at the Beijing Olympics.

Photo of Chad Ho supplied by Neville Smith, FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee member.

Glen S. Hummer Award Winners

USA Swimming has awarded the Glen S. Hummer Award since 1978. The Award was named for an Olympian and coach and is presented to the person or group making the greatest contribution to open water swimming.

Award winners represents Hummer's attitude toward life and his dedication to the sport of open water swimming.

1978: Glen S. Hummer and and Cliff Brown
1979: Don Watson and Betty Talbot
1980: La Jolla Town Counsel and Swim Swim Magazine
1981: Neal and Sue Shepard
1982: Huntington Indiana YMCA Booster Club
1983: Buck Dawson
1984: Luke (Mac) Tesky
1985: Penny Lee Dean
1986: Dale Petranech
1987: Keith Barnes
1988: Dotty York
1989: George Haines
1990: Jimi Flowers
1991: Wilton YMCA Wahoos
1992: Rick Walker
1993: James Whelan
1994: Jennifer Parks and Gail Dummer
1995: International Swimming Hall of Fame
1996: Sid Cassidy
1997: Bob Duenkel
1998: Dianne Limerick
1999: Dave Thomas
2000: Brian Schrader
2001: George Bare and Jacque Grossman
2002: Denny Ryther
2003: Dr. Jim Miller
2004: Julie Bare
2005: Rick Walker, Steven Munatones, Denny Ryther, Mike Shrader, Catherine Vogt, Jeremy Vail and Dr. Jim Miller (2005 USA Swimming Open Water World Championship Team Staff)
2006: Gregg Cross
2007: Steven Munatones
2008: Bill Rose

Photo of Hummer from the Hummeralums blog.

National Champion Offers Open Water Clinic

Five-time USA Swimming open water national champion and former professional marathon swimmer John Kenny will share his knowledge and experiences with individuals of all ages and abilities at his 3-day Open Water Swimming Clinic in Atlantic City from October 10-12.

John will cover open water swimming skills including sighting, stroke mechanics, breathing and the dynamics of racing in a mass-start event.

The event will start off with a swim clinic in the pool, a flat bay swim and an ocean swim as well as group cycling rides, runs along the boardwalk in Atlantic City and a trail run.

For more information contact John at (609) 441-0994 or email jkenny5150@gmail.com.

Photo shows John (third in pack with head raised) at the 2004 World Open Water Swimming Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he swam a great 25K race. In a fast-flowing river with varying currents, John swam a nearly tactically flawless race against the world's best. John was excellent in seeking out of the fastest water in the river and nearly pulled off a major upset. His navigational IQ and race experience are exceptional talents developed over the years.