Open Water Swim Academy

Love the Open Water

The Open Water Swim Academy (OWSA) shares and promotes the camaraderie, fun, exhilaration and joy of open water swimming. Led by Dan Simonelli, an experienced and awarded marathon swimmer, OWSA provides comprehensive coaching and mentoring to swimmers, both competitive and non-competitive, of all ages and skill levels interested in the challenge of open water swimming.

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Coaching

The OWSA coaching and mentoring program focuses on TEMP, which prepares swimmers for the Technical, Environmental, Mental and Physical challenges of open water swimming.

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Community

Uniting the swimming community, OWSA organizes and hosts Swim Across America benefit swims to raise money for life saving cancer research and clinical trials.

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Support

OWSA provides support, including kayaking, crewing and observation, for swimmers attempting Catalina Channel, Santa Barbara Channel or other major open water swims.

Our Swimmers

Hank Wise

6 x Catalina Channel

With Dan Simonelli, you have hired more than just a coach or crew support. You have gained a wise advocate and a good listener who has been there and done it himself. You have a knowledgeable and experienced friend, mentor and someone who will see to it that you have every possible advantage, tool and strategy in order for you to succeed.

Michella Thomas

Catalina Channel

With the currents against me, swimming Catalina Channel took much longer than expected.  Dan Simonelli was my observer and his encouragement got me through.  He set a target that I could envision, grasp, and power through. Dan was relentless in making sure I was successful in achieving my goal.  He continues to inspire me.

Scott Tapley

Catalina Channel

Dan Simonelli’s extensive swimming, coaching, and marathon experience are without question. His knowledge and leadership during my Catalina Channel crossing was a huge benefit to both me and the support crew. The support crew trusted him, the boat captains trusted him, and swimmers are lucky to have him on board or in the water.

Tim Donovan

Catalina Channel

Dan Simonelli has a vast knowledge of open water swimming. His drive, enthusiasm, commitment, and friendly demeanor make such a difference in helping calm pre-swim nerves. I knew I was in incredibly safe hands crossing Catalina Channel.

Carson Gossler

2 x Catalina Channel Relays

Swimming with Dan Simonelli is both reassuring and fun. His knowledge and dedication to open water swimming is incredible and unmatched. Dan has taught me so much about the ocean and open water swimming.

Chloë McCardel

124.4km World Record Ocean Swim

Dan Simonelli gives so much to the sport of open water swimming. He coaches, support crews and mentors swimmers of all ages and abilities from all across the world. He also volunteers his time on federations, boards, committees and supports fundraising events for Swim Across America.

Tim Kosiba

Catalina Channel

Dan Simonelli led my Catalina Channel swim, helping me get approval and financial aid from the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation, putting together my experienced support crew, and even joined me as a pace swimmer. He encouraged me through the toughest thing I have endured. Without his guidance and expertise, I doubt I would have been successful. He is dedicated to the sport, providing support to some of the best swimmers in the world.

Erik King

English Channel Relay

Dan Simonelli was my coach and mentor as I trained for an English Channel Relay. Dan helped me realize that what I was really training for was the qualifying swim (2 hours in sub 60°/15°C water) instead of the actual English Channel Relay. His presence during our night training and qualification swims set me at ease and gave me the confidence to attempt the swim. With Dan, you can achieve anything.

Maev Kerri Fitzpatrick

Catalina Channel

Dan Simonelli is an incredible coach, mentor, support, and guide to both non-competitive and competitive swimmers. Bringing his extensive experience and expertise in open water swimming, he will give you and your team the confidence to succeed and motivate you to continue with the sport – beyond what you thought was possible.

Latest News

La Jolla Cove Swim Club president saves man in distress from ‘The Hole’

La Jolla Cove Swim Club president Dan Simonelli put his life at risk to save a man from choppy waters at La Jolla Cove during a rescue just before 7 a.m. (before lifeguards reported for the day) Thursday, Jan. 10.
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Students Set Record

Students from a small, private school in Del Mar charted a new course in the Gulf of Italy, when they completed a 15-hour relay swim between the islands of Ischia and Di Santo Stefano Sunday.
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Trailblazing Distance Swims

Students at Sea Change Preparatory School in Del Mar brave choppy waves and chilly waters, not to mention jellyfish, sharks and other hazards, all in pursuit of a high school education — and a few world records for open ocean swimming.
Read More

About

Our Coach

Led by Dan Simonelli, OWSA shares and promotes the camaraderie, fun, exhilaration and joy of open water swimming. Based in San Diego, CA, OWSA coaches and mentors open water swimmers.

Achievements

Dan Simonelli brings extensive experience to his coaching, having completed solo and relay crossings of Catalina Channel, the English Channel and other major international swims.

Awards

OWSA was nominated for the 2017 World Open Water Swimming Awards, an international annual recognition of outstanding swimmers, swim performances and offerings.

Swim with us!

For more information on joining Open Water Swim Academy, training schedules, support and pricing, please don’t hesitate to say hi.

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