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Centre for the Study of Women and Gender

Marathon swim momentos

There are many ways to commemorate marathon swims - the display of charts and certificates, pebbles, tattoos, blogs, videos....even car registration plates. This page showcases some of these swim momentos.

If you would like to add your momento to the site, please e-mail a picture and a brief description of what it represents to you to me at k dot throsby at warwick dot ac dot uk.

  • A swim tattoo cautionary tale
    A swim tattoo cautionary tale
  • Andrew Vidler: Andrew's flag tattoo incorporates an arrow - a reference to his wife who supported him throughout.
    Andrew Vidler: Andrew's flag tattoo incorporates an arrow - a reference to his wife who supported him throughout.
  • Chantelle Le Guilcher: Chantelle's stylised wave tattoo was a gift from her parents to celebrate her Round Jersey and Jersey to France swims.
    Chantelle Le Guilcher: Chantelle's stylised wave tattoo was a gift from her parents to celebrate her Round Jersey and Jersey to France swims.
  • Cliff Golding: Cliff chose this Peanuts cartoon of Charlie Brown jumping for joy after a number of unsuccessful swims and just prior to his first successful one.
    Cliff Golding: Cliff chose this Peanuts cartoon of Charlie Brown jumping for joy after a number of unsuccessful swims and just prior to his first successful one.
  • Elaine Kornbau Howley: Elaine collects a stone from the start and finish of each swim, and her husband writes on the details in metallic paint.
    Elaine Kornbau Howley: Elaine collects a stone from the start and finish of each swim, and her husband writes on the details in metallic paint.
  • Elaine Kornbau Howley: Elaine's tattoo on her left thigh celebrates completing the Triple Crown.
    Elaine Kornbau Howley: Elaine's tattoo on her left thigh celebrates completing the Triple Crown.
  • Hank McGovern: Hank is swimming the English Channel in 2013, and had this car license plate made to inspire him.
    Hank McGovern: Hank is swimming the English Channel in 2013, and had this car license plate made to inspire him.
  • Julie Farrell: Julie chose this tattoo - a pair of goggles - to represent not only her Channel swim, but her journey through swimming from a competitive pool career cut short by ankle injuries to successful marathon swimmer.
    Julie Farrell: Julie chose this tattoo - a pair of goggles - to represent not only her Channel swim, but her journey through swimming from a competitive pool career cut short by ankle injuries to successful marathon swimmer.
  • Julie Farrell: Julie's tattoo represents her journey through swimming from the pool to successful marathon swimmer.
    Julie Farrell: Julie's tattoo represents her journey through swimming from the pool to successful marathon swimmer.
  • Karen Throsby: I bought this in La Jolla, San Diego after my Catalina swim, but it represents all of the long swims I've done.
    Karen Throsby: I bought this in La Jolla, San Diego after my Catalina swim, but it represents all of the long swims I've done.
  • Lee Reed: Lee had this tattoo to celebrate a 2011 Channel swim.
    Lee Reed: Lee had this tattoo to celebrate a 2011 Channel swim.
  • Lynn Kubasek: Lynn has displayed her Catalina Channel pebble on top of one of her own art pieces.
    Lynn Kubasek: Lynn has displayed her Catalina Channel pebble on top of one of her own art pieces.
  • Marcy Macdonald: Marcy's mermaid tattoo represents the power of the water.
    Marcy Macdonald: Marcy's mermaid tattoo represents the power of the water.
  • Mike Ball: Mike had this car registration plate made to commemorate his successful English Channel swim in 2009
    Mike Ball: Mike had this car registration plate made to commemorate his successful English Channel swim in 2009
  • Ranie Pearce: Ranie felt that she should be 'changed' by such a big event, and wanted a permanent reminder that she had done something difficult.
    Ranie Pearce: Ranie felt that she should be 'changed' by such a big event, and wanted a permanent reminder that she had done something difficult.
  • Rob Kent: Rob's tattoos mark a series of endurance sport achievements.
    Rob Kent: Rob's tattoos mark a series of endurance sport achievements.
  • Sam Jones: Sam's dad fashioned this oak block to display pebbles from solo and relay Channel swims.
    Sam Jones: Sam's dad fashioned this oak block to display pebbles from solo and relay Channel swims.