The Most Influential Personalities in Open Water Swimming during the 1960's

Who are among the most influential open water personalities in recent history? Who are considered impactful legends, unsung heroes, humble heroines, and overlooked historic figures in the sport? Everyone has their favorite personalities and icons in the sport of open water swimming.

Any list of The Most Influential Personalities of Open Water Swimming is, by necessity, subjective. But it is certainly fun to discuss and debate among open water swimmers, historians, and fans. Below are our choices for The Most Influential Personalities in the Open Water Swimming World during the 1960's. This list does not focus on swimmers as athletes, but rather coaches, escort pilots, administrators, event directors, referees, crew members, authors, documentary filmmakers, database creators, promoters, and historians.

This selection of The Most Influential Personalities of Open Water Swimming is based on four criteria:

1. Promoters - individual who market the sport as writers, filmmakers, or public relations experts
2. Organizers - individuals who serve to set up and carry out events or organize championships
3. Administrators - or individuals who set up structures and entities to organize series, governing bodies, or function as referees, seconds or observers
4. Coaches - individuals who teach and provide guidance to swimmers and other members of the community

This list does not include swimmers who are listed here (at The Best Open Water Swimmers from 1950 to 2020):

The Most Influential Personalities in the 1960's

> Commander Gerald Forsberg, OBE, Great Britain [Memorial to Commander Forsberg shown above]
> William Forrest "Buck" Dawson, USA
> George Duthie, Canada
> Bryan Finlay, PhD, Canada
> Joe Grossman, USA
> Jim Moran, USA
> Ray Scott, Great Britain
> Conrad Wennerberg, USA
> Audrey Scott, Great Britain
> Jerry Nason, USA

Commander Gerald Forsberg, OBE was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1998. He served as the long-time President of the Channel Swimming Association between 1963 and 1997 and was one of three original selectors of the Marathon Swimming Foundation and Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

William Forrest "Buck" Dawson made major efforts to include open water swimming as an integral part of the International Swimming Hall of Fame through displays and written materials maintained in the museum's library while serving as the executive director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He supported the United States Swimming Long Distance Swimming Programs and was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1993 as an Honor Administrator and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He was one of the original selectors of the Marathon Swimming Foundation and the Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

George Duthie was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966 as an Honor Administrator. He organized the professional Canadian National Exhibition swims until 1968 and served as a Vice President of the International Long Distance Swimming Federation in the 1960s.

Bryan Finlay, PhD served as a race director in Ontario, Canada and webmaster, historian and documentarist for Solo Swims of Ontario. He was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2020 as an Honor Administrator and swam races setting numerous breaststroke records.

Joe Grossman was elected as the first Secretary-Treasurer of the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation in 1963 and served as the administrator of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame where he was inducted in 1979 as an Honor Administrator. He was honored with the inaugural 1970 Irving Davids / Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award for Meritorious Service to Long Distance Swimming. He promoted marathon swimming and created the WPMSF Constitution.

Jim Moran sponsored the Jim Moran Lake Michigan Swim between 1957-1963 that attracted the world's best professional marathon swimmers. Prize money ranged up to US$25,000 and local television and radio stations provided hourly updates on the swimmers' progress. He was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1985 as an Honor Administrator and was an International Swimming Hall of Fame Gold Medallion Award recipient in 1995.

Ray Scott was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1983 as an Honor Administrator and received the Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1975. He and his wife Audrey Scott ran the Channel Swimming Association for 33 years, serving as its Chairman for 33 years between 1960 and 1993 and then as Secretary from 1993 to 1994. He served as an Observer for 300+ crossings.

Conrad Wennerberg was an American author, coach, and trainer who was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977 as an Honur Administrator and was the 1977 recipient of the Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award, an award given by the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He wrote the authoritative book, Wind, Waves and Sunburn: A Brief History of Marathon Swimming, considered to be the most definitive work on marathon swimming and the professional marathon swims in the 1960's.

Audrey Scott was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1984 as an Honor Administrator. She received the Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965. She and her husband Ray Scott ran the Channel Swimming Association for 33 years. She served initially as Assistant Secretary and then took over as Honorary Secretary in the 1960's until her death in 1994.

Jerry Nason was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2007 as an Honor Administrator. He served as the Boston Globe sports editor for 33 years before retiring in 1974.

By Steven Munatones.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and Editor of the KAATSU Magazine. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), Dale Petranech Award for Services to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (2022), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007 and 2010), and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984, awarded to the senior whose interests are not bounded by academic or institutional structures. A joyous, deeply-rooted affirmation of life, disdain for the purely conventional; a love of adventure, and desire to learn by experiencing; the ability to respond creatively to difficult situations). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee (until 2011) and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, a 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff including 4 FINA World Championships, and 2008 NBC Olympic 10K Marathon Swim commentator.