For first time, Semana Nautica has 3 Ocean Swimmers of the Year

Ever since 2015, the Semana Nautica Association has recognized a male and female Ocean Swimmer of the Year after each year’s festival.

Grace Nackers

This summer is the first time there’s been a tie in the point standings, making Connor Martilla, Hannah Holman, and Grace Nackers all 2025 Semana Nautica Ocean Swimmer of the Year.

The Ocean Swimmer of the Year titles are awarded based off a points system. Competitors must swim in at least three races during the Semana Nautica festival, including either the 3-mile or 6-mile ocean swim.

Only 14 swimmers qualified to be included in the points standings, nine women and five men.

Martilla won all three races he entered for an unbeatable total of three points. Martilla and Holman are now 2x Semana Nautica Ocean Swimmers of the Year.

Connor Martilla

Nackers and Holman each finished with four points. Nackers finished second to Holman in the Reef and Run 1-Mile Swim on July 10th, but Nackers edged Holman in the Semana Nautica 2-Mile Swim to even the score. Holman won the 3-Mile Swim and Nackers bested the field in the 6-Mile Swim.

Melinda Busch, Caitlin Swalec, and Alethea Butler-Nalin rounded out the top five behind Holman and Nackers.

Myles Peck was second in the men’s standings. Kyle Brill, John McCarthy and Bret Dougherty were the only other men to qualify.

Hannah Holman

Each of the three Ocean Swimmers of the Year will receive a free entry to this year’s Reef & Run Boat Swim, and will be given a limited edition Semana Nautica towel at an awards ceremony in August.