WOWSA
WOWSA is a community-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the global infrastructure for open water swimming, providing independent swim ratification, a 20,688+ listing achievement database, coaching education, and community programs for swimmers, coaches, and event organizers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WOWSA does
WOWSA (World Open Water Swimming Association) is a community-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID: 99-3203156) headquartered in San Francisco that serves as the global infrastructure layer for open water swimming. The organization connects swimmers, coaches, event organizers, and 12 channel swimming associations worldwide through its openwaterswimming.com website and a centralized searchable database containing over 20,688 listings of swimmer achievements, Oceans Seven channel crossings, Triple Crown results, and association records. Its core products include an independent Swim Ratification Service (with a committee reviewing and verifying marathon swims), a Coaches Education Program offering certification and continuing education (including ASCA credits), a structured Knowledgebase of rules and safety research, webinars, educational articles, an e-commerce shop, and the annual WOWSA Awards program (held 2021-2024).
WOWSA's technology is a content-and-database platform built on WordPress with a separate ratification database and submission workflow using JotForm; no public API, SDK, or mobile app exists. The organization's mission is to make open water swimming safe, fair, and accessible by providing independent achievement verification, safety standards, educational resources, and a transparent global record-keeping system.
The business model is diversified nonprofit revenue across six streams: tax-deductible donations, recurring membership subscriptions, coaching courses and certifications, webinars, books and workout products, and professional swim ratification fees. Distribution is direct-to-consumer globally via the e-commerce storefront and membership program, with an email newsletter reaching 100,000+ subscribers and active social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Discord). Governance is provided by a Board of Directors (Quinn Fitzgerald as Board Chair and Executive Director, plus Sid Cassidy and Ryan Hall) and a 12-country Advisory Board organized into six committees.
WOWSA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WOWSA
- Legal name
- World Open Water Swimming Association
- Website
- https://openwaterswimming.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- WOWSA is a community-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the global infrastructure for open water swimming, providing independent swim ratification, a 20,688+ listing achievement database, coaching education, and community programs for swimmers, coaches, and event organizers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WOWSA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Water Swimming Governance
- NAICS
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Spectator Sports (71121)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Open Water Swimming Events (OWS Races, Swim Challenges) (MPAKAIAF)
Keywords
Where WOWSA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
WOWSA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations: As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID: 99-3203156), WOWSA relies on tax-deductible donations from supporters. Donations fund educational programs, database maintenance, safety initiatives, and community outreach.
- Educational Programs and Courses: WOWSA sells coaching education programs, courses, and certifications including the Coaches Education Program. These provide training for coaches and swimmers worldwide.
- Webinars: Educational webinars hosted by experts covering topics in open water swimming, coaching, safety, and specialized skills.
- Books and Products: Sale of open water swimming books, workout programs, and recommended products through the WOWSA shop.
- Swim Ratification Services: WOWSA provides swim ratification services for independent marathon swims, reviewing documentation and swimmer accomplishments.
- Membership: WOWSA membership provides access to exclusive content, discounts on educational programs, and personal profiles for connecting with the global swim community.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
WOWSA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WOWSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides independent swim ratification services, maintains a centralized global database of open water swimming achievements, and delivers coaching education, webinars, and certified event programming. The organization connects swimmers, coaches, and event organizers worldwide and celebrates the sport through its annual WOWSA Awards.
Product overview
WOWSA operates as a community-led nonprofit organization offering a platform of interconnected services centered on open water swimming safety, fairness, and recognition. The core offering is the Swim Ratification Service and its accompanying Swim Ratification Database, which together verify and archive open water swimming achievements across channels like the Oceans Seven, Triple Crowns, and other marathon swims. Supporting the core are the Coaches Education Program (certification and continuing education), a structured Knowledgebase of rules and regulations, an Educational Articles library, Webinars, the annual WOWSA Awards program, and a Shop offering books, workouts, and courses. Marathon Swim Event Ratifications provide event-level certification. The portfolio functions as a unified nonprofit service ecosystem rather than a commercial product suite.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 78% of WOWSA's spending goes directly to programs supporting the open water swimming community
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use WOWSA
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
WOWSA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
WOWSA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WOWSA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- USA Swimming:
- World Aquatics (formerly FINA): The international federation governing all aquatic sports including open water swimming. Directly comparable as the supreme governing body for open water swimming at the Olympic and World Championship level, with vastly greater resources and IOC recognition that WOWSA operates alongside but without formal affiliation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WOWSA social profiles
Digital presenceWOWSA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WOWSA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
WOWSA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WOWSA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WOWSA
What does WOWSA do?
WOWSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides independent swim ratification services, maintains a centralized global database of open water swimming achievements, and delivers coaching education, webinars, and certified event programming. The organization connects swimmers, coaches, and event organizers worldwide and celebrates the sport through its annual WOWSA Awards.
Is WOWSA a public or private company?
WOWSA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WOWSA founded?
WOWSA was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is WOWSA based?
WOWSA is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does WOWSA make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are educational Programs and Courses, webinars, books and Products, swim Ratification Services and membership.
Who are WOWSA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are USA Swimming and World Aquatics (formerly FINA).
Does WOWSA have an API?
No public API is recorded for WOWSA.
What industry is WOWSA in?
WOWSA's product category is Open Water Swimming Governance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAFAC, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), with a secondary code of MPAKAIAF, Open Water Swimming Events (OWS Races, Swim Challenges). Its NAICS code is 71394 and its SIC code is 7997.