Began in 1969 by Buck Dawson, founding executive director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. It was first called the Galt Ocean Mile Swim as the mile race took place on the newly-developed condo strip of the Fort Lauderdale beach known as Galt Ocean Mile and was known as the race with the largest spectator audience - over 50,000 people who theoretically would be looking out of their condo/apartment windows. No lifeguards or safety crew - swimmers were asked to "bring your own lifeguard" to walk the beach as they swam.

For more information, visit Ft. Lauderdale Rough Water.