The world’s only dedicated open water swimming magazine, H2Open, has revealed the list of names shortlisted for its inaugural Awards. The Awards, celebrating achievement in open water swimming, recognise accomplishments in the sport in 2011. Nominations were invited from readers and then sent to a high profile judging panel for shortlisting. British comedian David Walliams’ name appears in both the Charity Swim of the Year and the Inspirational Swim of the Year categories.
Other nominees include Roger Allsopp, the oldest person (at 70) to swim the English Channel, Diana Nyad, the 61 year old who attempted to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage and Stephen Redmond, who’s vying to become the first person to complete all seven swims in the Oceans’ 7 challenge.
The judging panel comprised:
- Cassandra Patten, Bronze medallist, 2008 Beijing Olympics Marathon Swim
- Duncan Goodhew, Olympic Gold medallist and swimming ambassador
- Steven Munatones, former 25K open water swimming world champion and founder of open water source
- Kate Rew, founder, Outdoor Swimming Society
- Nick Adams, President, Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation
- Colin Hill, Marathon Swimming Technical Manager for the London 2012 Olympics
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Reading Lake Hotel on 28 April 2012. The ceremony follows the H2Open Day – a day of open water activities, exhibits, demonstrations and seminars – organised by H2Open Magazine in partnership with Triathlon Racing Inc.
Shortlists
Charity Swim of the Year
- 2swim4life
- Channelling Positivity
- David Walliams
- Roger Allsopp
International Swim of the Year
- 2011 European Open Water Swimming Junior Championships at Navia
- Lorne Pier to Pub Swim
- Rottnest Channel Swim
- The Hellespont
Best UK Event
- BLDSA 2-Way Windermere
- Bridge to Bridge (Henley to Marlow, River Thames)
- British Gas Great British Swim Series
- Dart 10km
Coach of the Year
- Bernd Berkhahn
- Dan Bullock
- Kari Furre
- Paul Newsome
Innovation of the Year
- AquaPulse Waterproof Heart Rate Monitor from Finis
- Queenford Lake Relays
- Swimovate Poolmate
- Zoggs Predator Flex – Polarized
Inspirational Swim of the Year
- David Walliams, Thames swimmer
- Diana Nyad, Cuba to Florida attempt
- Roger Allsopp – oldest ever Channel swimmer
- Windermere 12-way Warriors
Open Water Ambassador of the Year
- Colin Hill
- Kate Rew
- Steven Munatones
- Thomas Noblett
Open Water Swimmer of the Year
- Forrest Nelson
- Oliver (Ollie) Wilkinson
- Roger Allsopp
- Stephen Redmond
For more information, to participate in the H2Open Day, to sponsor or exhibit, visit www.h2openmagazine.com or contact Simon Griffiths on simon.griffiths[at] h2openmagazine.com or phone +44 (0)7958 312607.
Launched in February 2011 by independent publisher ZG Publishing Ltd, H2Open is the world’s first dedicated open water swimming magazine. Designed to appeal to all lovers of open water from freedom loving wild swimmers to competitive masters and English Channel aspirants the magazine offers a mixture of inspirational features, training advice, gear reviews and nutritional tips.
Triathlon Racing Inc (TRI) Ltd works in partnership with high-profile companies to deliver quality professional services and products to triathlon and its discipline sports. Established in 2008, TRI is the founder of the Lakeside Triathlon, organised in partnership with One Step Beyond Promotions, and founder of the SwimFesT Open Water Swim Series organised in partnership with SwimForTri.
