The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will recognize Colin Hill, for his extensive contributions to the administration of open water swimming with the 2021 Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award.
The Award will be presented to Colin during a future International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Induction and Award Ceremony. The Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award is presented annually by International Swimming Hall of Fame to the organization or individual who has contributed the most to the administration of open water swimming.
This year’s award recognizes Colin Hill, an open water swimming administrator from Great Britain who has served the sport for more than 15 years. He has contributed via a wide range of roles and assisted at many events across the world. Colin’s swimming organization roles included: Technical Manager for 2012 London Olympics and 2018 European Open Water Swimming Championships; FINA Open Water Swimming Consultant (2013 to present) and Correspondent plus created the Great Swim Series (for the Great Run Company), Swim Serpentine (with London Marathon), Chillswim (2012 – 2018) and currently Ullswater Swim Place.
He assisted at marathon swimming events as FINA’s (The World Governing Body for Swimming) OWS Consultant in the following countries: Argentina, Canada, China, Dubai, England, Hungary, North Macedonia, Portugal, Qatar, Seychelles and Taiwan.
Selected examples help illustrate the range of Colin’s contribution:
Technical Manager for 2012 London Olympics – the second Olympics for the open water marathon held in the Serpentine, in the middle of a London Park, showcased the sport of open water marathon swimming to a new generation.
Founder of the Great Swim – tens of thousands of swimmers got their first taste of open water competition in these 1-mile swims and spawned a generation of new marathon swimmers. This provided a massive publicity boost for the sport.
Swim Director for London Marathon Events for the annual Swim Serpentine event with over 6000 swimmers taking part in this Olympic legacy event.
Colin has assisted thousands of long-distance swimmers to complete swims in the English Lake District.
Colin is an accomplished marathon swimmer: English Channel in 10 hours and 30 minutes, winner 25 km Madeira and the first man from Great Britain to complete an ice mile. His understanding of the swimmers and experience as an organizer and administrator was key toward Colin’s leadership in the success and expansion of marathon swimming in the world.
Colin currently runs open water swimming coaching and in his own Endless Pool situated near Ullswater, English Lake District.
