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ISHOF Awards
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is the parent organization to IMSHOF covering all aquatics. 

Joe Grossman, 1970:  see here

Commander Gerald Forsberg, OBE, Master Mariner, FNI, Royal Navy (Retired), 1971:  see here

William Forrest "Buck" Dawson, 1972:  see here

Willy Van Rysel, 1973:  see here

Jerry Nason, 1974:  see here

Audrey Scott, 1975:  see here

Ray Scott, 1975:  see here

Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean, 1976:  see here

Conrad Wennerberg, 1977:  see here

Charles "Red" Silvia, 1978:  see here

Dennis Matuch, 1979:  see here

Not awarded 1980-2001:  see here

James Doty, 2002:  see here

British Long Distance Swimming Association, 2003:  see here

Roger Parsons, 2004:  see here

Val Parsons, 2004:  see here

Lynn Blouin, 2005: see here

Dale Petranech, 2006: see here

Silvia Beatríz Dalotto, 2007: see here

Shelley Taylor-Smith, 2008: see here

Dr. Michael P. Read, MBE, 2009: see here

Christopher Guesdon, 2010: see Ceremony Booklet page #5

Steven Muñatones, 2011: see Ceremony Booklet page #3

Drury Gallagher, 2012: see Ceremony Booklet page #4

Ned Denison, 2013: see Ceremony Booklet page #3 

Melissa Cunningham Roberts, 2014: see Ceremony Booklet page #12 

Dennis Miller, 2015: see Ceremony Booklet page # 19

David Yudovin, 2016: see Ceremony Booklet page #14 

Richard Broer, 2017: see Ceremony Booklet page #17 

Stéphane Lecat, 2018: see Ceremony Booklet page #24 

Susanne Guesdon, 2019: see Ceremony Booklet page #14 

S.A. "Sid" Cassidy, 2020: see Ceremony Booklet page #20

Colin Hill, 2021: see Ceremony Booklet page # 18

Elizabeth Fry, 2022: see Ceremony Booklet page #14

Sally Anne Minty-Gravett, MBE, 2023: Ceremony Booklet page #16

Massimo Giuliani, 2024:  Ceremony Booklet page #16

Forrest Nelson, 2025:  see here

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Award History:

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The Irving Davids/Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award was established in 1970 by the New England Marathon Swimming Association (NEMSA) and to honor and recognize those making major contribution to open water swimming and serve as a perpetual memorial to Irving Davids and Captain Roger Wheeler.

 

NEMSA is the oldest organization in the USA dedicated solely to open water/marathon swimming with the goals: to promote amateur open water swims and races; to promote water safety, research water pollution and clean water (including the effects on aquatic life), and to encourage the publishing of papers and other information materials related to open water swimming and the environment.

 

NEMSA accomplishments include: organization and conduct of the Boston Light House Swim (first held in 1909); contribute materials and other memorabilia on open water/marathon swimming to the New England Sports Museum and Library; assist in the development and distribution of safety equipment for open water swimmers; and make major contribution to the Massachusetts Audubon Society and assist in creating a data base for their water related research projects.

 

The names of the recipients of the award are inscribed on a beautiful large silver tray that International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Honoree James Doty secured from the Taylor Corman Jewelry Store in Brookline, Massachusetts. It is a major award of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and displayed in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida museum. Each winner received a small silver bowl or plate to commemorate their award.  Once the tray is fully engraved, future recipients will be included on an adjacent plaque.

 

Initially a committee consisting of IMSHOF Honorees:  Joe Grossman, Dennis Matuch, Buck Dawson, and James Doty selected the award winners. The award was presented annually from 1970 through 1979. For unknown reason, the award was not presented from 1980 to 2001 and the tray was just another bit of history on the museum walls of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 2001, it was reestablished and IMSHOF now selects and presents a winner at their annual Induction and Awards Ceremony.

 

Irving Davids was an open water/marathon swimming historian and archivist. He pioneered the study of tides and currents and was invaluable in plotting proper courses. His private collection of photographs and newspaper clippings on professional marathon swimming was unparalleled. He served as trainer for IMSHOF Honoree Regent LaCoursiere, from Quebec.

 

Captain Roger W. Wheeler from Rhode Island was an outgoing, charismatic race organizer and marathon swimmer administrator. He used his considerable political connections (creator of the Rhode Island State Life-Saving system in the 1930s and is also the namesake of a state beach in Rhode Island) to secure funds and recognition for local marathon swimming races including course design and publicity to ensure large crowds to watch the races.  These included:  the John E Fogarty Memorial Distance Swim on 24 August 1968 and the 26.7-mile (42.9 km) America's Marathon Swim in 1970.  Both were sanctioned by the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation.  Doty announced the award at the 1970 race.

  

Davids and Wheeler died within a year of each other in the late1960’s. They still serve as examples and role models for the administrators and organizers in the sport of open water swimming.

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In 2020 the eligibility criteria changed to individual IMSHOF Honorees only.

 
Award Winners at 2018 Ceremony:  from left - Melissa Cunningham, Val Parsons, Richard Brower, Stéphane Lecat, Michael P. Read, MBE, Beth Yudovin [for David], Ned Denison and Chris Guesdon
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The Poseidon Award  recognizes outstanding contributions to marathon swimming. This award honors individuals or organizations that have significantly advanced the sport of Marathon swimming through their personal efforts or initiatives. The winner is decided by the IMSHOF Selectors.
2013 Poseidon trophy 4.JPG

The Organising Committee of the Global Open Water Swimming Conference, 2013:  see here

Not awarded 2014 & 2015

Chloë McCardel, 2016: see Ceremony Booklet page # 15

Steven Muñatones, 2017: see Ceremony Booklet page # 16

Christopher Guesdon, 2018: see Ceremony Booklet page # 25

Dr. Michael P. Read, MBE, 2019: see Ceremony Booklet page # 15

Petar Stoychev, 2020: see Ceremony Booklet page # 21

Sarah Thomas, 2021: see Ceremony Booklet page # 19

Shelley Taylor-Smith, 2022:  see Ceremony Booklet page # 14

Kevin Murphy, 2023:  see Ceremony Booklet page # 18

Penny Lee Dean, EdD, 2024: see Ceremony Booklet page # 28

Nora Toledano Cadena, 2025:  see here

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Award History:

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The award was first presented in 2013 at the IMSHOF Induction and Awards ceremony in Cork Ireland.

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In 2020 the eligibility criteria changed to individual IMSHOF Honorees only.

Chloë McCardel at the 2016 Ceremony
(Presented by Bruce Wigo CEO of ISHOF)
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Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the lifetime dedication and achievements in the swimming community.

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Greta Andersen, 2015 (Presented by Bruce Wigo CEO of ISHOF on left and IMSHOF Honoree Ned Denison)

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Service Award is given periodically to an individual who has selflessly volunteered their time, energy and/or resources to advance the interests and work of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

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Dale Petranech, 2019

Dale ishof award.jpg

Presidential Award is conferred in recognition of an extraordinary or exceptional achievement to promote the mission of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

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Bob Duenkel, 2004

Lewis Pugh, OIG, 2011

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Lewis Pugh

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Gold Medallion Award is presented each year to a former competitive swimmer for his or her national or international significant achievements in the field of science, entertainment, art, business, education, or government.

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Dr. James “Doc” Counsilman, 1990

Jim Moran, 1994

James Whelan, 1999

 

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James Whelan

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Buck Dawson Authors Award is presented to the author of an aquatics - related book for which the book’s content has had a profound educational or entertaining impact on the aquatic disciplines or population in general.  The dates below are the book publishing year and presented in alphabetic order.

 

Dr. James “Doc” Counsilman, 1968 & 1977

Lynne Cox, Honourable Mention 2004 & 2006

William Forrest "Buck" Dawson, Inspired the award

Penny Lee Dean, EdD, 1998

Dr. Jane Katz, 1981, 1985, 1993 & 1996

Annette Kellerman, Honourable Mention 1918

Diana Nyad, Honourable Mention 1978

Conrad Wennerberg, Honourable Mention 1974

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Al Schoenfield Media Award

 

Diana Nyad, 2002 (at ISHOF event)

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G. Harold Martin Award is presented for long and exceptional leadership, insight and dedication to the water safety of children and the cause of making Every Child A Swimmer.

 

Dr. Jane Katz, 2016 

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Paragon Awards are sponsored by Pentair Aquatic Systems and are presented for outstanding contributions to: Competitive Swimming, Water Polo, Competitive Diving, Aquatic Safety, Synchronized Swimming and Recreational Swimming.

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Dr. Jane Katz, 1999 & 2009 

S.A. "Sid" Cassidy, 2014

sid cassidy
Irving Davids and Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award recognizes contributors to the administration of open water swimming.  The winner is decided by the IMSHOF Selectors.
David Wheeler plate on the wall in Florida
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