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Long-distance swimming competitions are swimming competition events in open water, over longer distances than are normally possible in a swimming pool.
Lakes, rivers and other watercourses are used for these events, places that their native Netherlands has in abundance. Swimming also takes place in the open sea.
The Netherlands has a rich tradition in these races, which are know in Dutch as langebaanzwemmen (literally "long lane swimming") . As of 2004, some have been organised continuously for over 50 years. Many Dutch competitors have also achieved prestige in the international arena, such as Herman Willemse, Judith de Nijs, Lenie de Nijs, Joke van Staveren, Monique Wildschut, Irene van der Laan, Hans van Goor and Edith van Dijk.
In the Netherlands, there are three categories of langbaanzwemmen:
- Prestatietochten (lit. "achievement-tour"): distances over 250 m for all categories (inclusive of participants without a racing permit).
- Lange afstandzwemmen (lit. "long distance swimming): distances up to 10 km. This category includes open water events. In this category there are the Open Nationale Kampioenschappen in 5 km and 10 km freestyle, with separate events for professionals and amateurs, and a 3 km freestyle for juniors and seniors.
- Marathonzwemmen (lit. "marathon swimming"): distances over 10 km. The Nationale Kampioenschap (national championship) in this category is a joint venture with neighbouring Belgium.
Most events are in the long distance category, with around 25 in the Netherlands. An approximately equal number are organised in Flanders in Belgium. The Low Countries, therefore, have some of the waterways busiest in open water swimming in the world.
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