2018 Global Marathon Swimming Awards
The MSF Global Marathon Swimming Awards, now in their seventh year, recognize the most outstanding achievements and contributions in solo marathon swimming. The awards are nominated and voted by members of the Marathon Swimmers Forum, the world’s largest independent online community of marathon swimmers.
Solo Swim of the Year
Recognizing the most outstanding solo marathon swim of 2018.
Cameron Bellamy (South Africa)
First circumnavigation of Barbados
90 km (56 miles) in 40 hours, 46 minutes on November 11-13, 2018. Organized and observed by Barbados Amateur Swimming Association. Documentation pending ratification by MSF Documented Swims.
Barra Award
Recognizing the most outstanding year of marathon swimming, all considered.
Martyn Webster (Great Britain)
2018 marathon swims: English Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, Lake Zurich (2x), Walensee, Loch Lomond, Loch Awe.
Service to Marathon Swimming
Recognizing significant and selfless contributions to the sport in a non-swimming role.
Lynn Kubasek (United States)
Nomination by Scott Zornig:
Lynn has a distinguished marathon swimming career which includes 11 solo marathon swims (2 legs of the triple crown) and 16 marathon relays, but she deserves consideration solely for giving back to the sport of marathon swimming though her volunteer work.
Lynn has not only been an observer on 56 marathon swims, but she has supported 25 swimmers as either a kayaker or feeder and spent countless hours videotaping, editing and chronicling 84 different marathon swims. Her work is proudly displayed on youtube for swimmers, friends, family and future marathon swimmers to enjoy and study for years to come.
Lynn has also served on the board of directors for the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association (SBCSA) since 2009 and as an associate director of Swim Camp Catalina and Swim Camp Mexico since 2014. Lynn has inspired, guided and trained numerous people who have successfully gone on to do their own marathon swims.
Prior to Lynn’s service to marathon swimming, she co-founded Laguna Beach Open Water Swimmers which grew from 3 swimmers in 1987 to over 350 swimmers today. ‘
Lynn successfully completed her first leg of the triple crown (Catalina) in 2009. In 2016. Lynn was diagnosed with Melanoma. She successfully beat her cancer and then went on to complete her second leg of the triple crown (Manhattan) in 2018. Lynn was making plans for her 3rd and final leg when she was diagnosed this past October with non-operable pancreatic cancer. Lynn is currently undergoing chemotherapy, but is targeting a 2020 attempt of the channel.
Although Lynn is dealing with her own illnesses, she is always the first to help fellow open water swimmers during their time of need. A marathon swimmer suffered catastrophic damage to his house and business from Hurricane Maria and Lynn was the first to step up with financial assistance along with a package of her homemade soaps. She has supported numerous marathon swimmers in need via various Gofundme campaigns. As a labor of love, Lynn has made over 9000 bars of soap which she gives to swimmers as gifts of love always delivered with her trademark smile.
As a professional, Lynn serves as a Storm Water specialist, peripherally protecting the waters in which we swim. She is the proud mother of three, with four grandchildren.
In my humble opinion, there are few people who have given back to our sport as much as Lynn Kubasek. Thank you for your consideration of this amazing woman.
Yudovin Award
Recognizing the most adventurous marathon swim of 2018.
Colleen Blair (Great Britain)
First North Minch swim
37.3 km (23.1 miles) in 18 hours, 46 minutes on July 8, 2018. Isle of Lewis to mainland Scotland. Ratified by British Long Distance Swimming Association.
Monahan Award
Recognizing an outstanding and original series of marathon swims achieved over the past four years.
Caroline Block (United States)
Maximum eight swims in four years: English Channel, 20 Bridges (Manhattan), Lake George, Cayuga Lake, Santa Barbara Channel (Santa Rosa Island to Goleta), 3 North Channel swims.