Long distance swimming (also known as marathon swimming) is a sport that involves swimming across large bodies of open water such as the Great Lakes, and the English Channel.

The swims can be in the open sea, lakes, rivers or other watercourses.

There are organized long distance swimming competitions around the world, but there are also many athletes that swim solo. The swims are accompanied by a nearby boat crew that monitors and coaches the swimmer.

The longest Olympic swim is the 5 kilometer open-water event that was introduced in 2000.

Long distance swimming in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a rich tradition in these races, which are know in Dutch as langebaanzwemmen (literally "long lane swimming") . As of 2004, some have been organised continuously for over 50 years. Many Dutch competitors have also achieved prestige in the international arena, such as Herman Willemse , Judith de Nijs , Lenie de Nijs , Joke van Staveren , Monique Wildschut , Irene van der Laan , Hans van Goor and Edith van Dijk .

In the Netherlands, there are three categories of langbaanzwemmen:

• Prestatietochten (lit. "achievement-tour"): distances over 250 m for all categories (inclusive of participants without a racing permit).
• Lange afstandzwemmen (lit. "long distance swimming): distances up to 10 km. This category includes open water events. In this category there are the Open Nationale Kampioenschappen in 5 km and 10 km freestyle, with separate events for professionals and amateurs, and a 3 km freestyle for juniors and seniors.
• Marathonzwemmen (lit. "marathon swimming"): distances over 10 km. The Nationale Kampioenschap (national championship) in this category is a joint venture with neighbouring Belgium.

Most events are in the long distance category, with around 25 in the Netherlands. An approximately equal number are organised in Flanders in Belgium. The waterways of the Low Countries, therefore, are some of the busiest in open water swimming in the world.

External links

Some organizations that regulate and organize the sport:

• British Long Distance Swimming Association
• United States Masters Swimming
• Solo Swims Ontario
• Netherlands

• various links