ILDSA Awards
Since 2008 ILDSA have hosted an annual awards ceremony in different parts of Ireland to celebrate the open water achievements of the season.
The ILDSA Annual Awards
As part of our vision to “Be a forum for rewarding and recognising Irish swims and swimmers”, after the end of each swimming season the ILDSA hosts an annual awards event at a location in Ireland.
The awards are the highlight of the year where the ILDSA rewards, recognises and celebrates the passionate and vibrant long distance swimming community and their achievements. As a national organization, the ILDSA alternates the location of the event around the country. In recent years it has also been live streamed for those that are unable to attend in person – in particular, our international swimming family.
Whilst we enthusiastically celebrate the current explosion and participation in open water swimming we also respectfully continue to search out our historical swims and swimmers and recognise the achievements of those that were pioneers in open water swimming before many of us were born.
There are 35 categories of awards.
Swimmer of the Year
Nominations for the following awards are provided by the public.
Best Newcomer
Nominations for the following awards are provided by the public.
Provincial Swimmer of the Year
Nominations for the following awards are provided by the public.
This award requires the swimmer to reside in the province during the past year. Swimmers who move during the year will not be penalized. Province of birth is not a factor – for example, a Kerryman living in Dublin could win the Leinster award.
It is awarded for the most impressive record during the year. It could be multiple swims or just one big swim. Extra credit given for longest distance, difficulty, steps up from the swimmer’s previous best.
Specific Awards
Nominations for the following awards are provided by the public.
Other Awards
Nominations for the following awards are not provided by the public.
In some cases they are based on recorded achievements and awarded to all swimmers who meet the criteria. In other cases the award winners are selected by the ILDSA committee in collaboration with the award’s sponsor.
Voting Rubic
Voting will be overseen by an independent observer.
Their role will be as follows:
- Observe that the process is followed.
- They will not have a vote.
The ILDSA Board and the public vote will be converted as follows:
- 25% conversion weight for Public Vote
- 75% conversion of the ILDSA Board Vote
In event of a tie or indecision the ILDSA International Judges are asked to confer and provide a decision.
If no contention, the International Judges receive a briefing of the winners and their accolades for comment.
ILDSA International Judges:
- Amy Gubser USA / Americas
- Lynton Mortensen Australia NZ
- Samantha Whelpton South Africa
- Jonathan Ratcliffe Europe
English Channel Medals
Dál Riata Channel Medals
Guinness World Records
Oceans Seven Medals
ILDSA Annual Awards
In some cases they are based on recorded achievements and awarded to all swimmers who meet the criteria. In other cases the award winners are selected by the ILDSA committee in collaboration with the award’s sponsor.
