# Percy Knowles

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**Percival Andrew Knowles** [OBE](/source/OBE) (born 8 November 1930) is a [Bahamian](/source/Bahamas) former [sailor](/source/Sailing_(sport)) who competed in the [1960](/source/1960_Summer_Olympics), [1964](/source/1964_Summer_Olympics), [1968](/source/1968_Summer_Olympics), and [1972 Summer Olympics](/source/1972_Summer_Olympics).[1]

## Early life

Percival Andrew Knowles Sr was born on 8 November 1930 in Nassau, Bahamas. He was the son of John Henry Knowles and his second wife, Irma Pinder Knowles. His elder half-brother, from his father's first marriage, was the Olympian [Durward Knowles](/source/Durward_Knowles).[2]

## Sporting career

Knowles represented the Bahamas in sailing at the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics.[1][3] In Tokyo, Knowles competed in the 5.5 class.[4]

In 1963, he became a Vice Commander of the new Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Auxilliary (BASRA) organisation.[5]

Over the years, Knowles has continued to participate in competitive sport, taking part in [Masters](/source/Masters_athletics) swimming tournaments.[6] In 2010, he competed at the US National Masters Swimming Championships where he won a bronze in the 100 yd breaststroke[7] and, later that year, at the World Masters Championships in Sweden.[6] In 2017, he won the 100 and 200 yd breaststroke and the 100 and 200 yd freestyle in the 85-89 age group at the 2017 Auburn Masters Invitational swim meet.[8] In 2024, the 93 year old Knowles, his son [Andy Knowles](/source/Andy_Knowles_(swimmer)), grandson [Jeremy Knowles](/source/Jeremy_Knowles_(swimmer)), and 14 year-old grandson competed in the Bahamas National Swimming Championships in the 4 x 50 m team relay in an unprecedented "generations" team.[9]

## Personal life

Knowles married Frances Ingraham in 1953. The couple had two sons and two daughter. Their son, [Bruce Knowles](/source/Bruce_Knowles) is also a former Olympian.[2]

## References

1. ["www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/kn/percy-knowles-1.html"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200418115103/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/kn/percy-knowles-1.html). Archived from [the original](https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/kn/percy-knowles-1.html) on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2012.

1. ["Making a Splash (Outside of the Pool)"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/646293985). *The Charlotte Observer*. 4 Aug 2008. pp. A1, A6. Retrieved 5 January 2026. – via [newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Hardin, Ed (Apr 22, 2012). ["Greensboro Aquatic Center grows up this week"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/960857013). *News and Record*. pp. C1, C7. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026. – via [newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Hardie, Jim (16 Sep 1964). ["Skeet Shooting Set Tomorrow at Trail Glades"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/301316576). *The Miami News*. – via [newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Bahamas Initiates Rescue Operation"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/272262846). *Fort Lauderdale News*. 4 August 1963. pp. 7D. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026. – via [newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["SWIFT Masters Swimmers win 9 medals at XIII FINA World’s"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180226211853/http://www.bahamasswimmingfederation.com/News/SWIFT-Masters-Swimmers-win-9-medals-at-XIII-FINA-Worlds). Archived from [the original](http://www.bahamasswimmingfederation.com/News/SWIFT-Masters-Swimmers-win-9-medals-at-XIII-FINA-Worlds) on 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-02-26.

1. ["Swift Wins 3 Medals at US Masters Swimming Nationals"](https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00084249/01585/zoom/3). *Tribune newspaper*. June 2, 2010. p. 10. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026.

1. ["Percy and Andy Knowles bring home the hardware"](https://www.tribune242.com/news/2017/feb/21/percy-and-andy-knowles-bring-home-hardware/). *Tribune newspaper*. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 Jan 2026.

1. Kelly, Omri (Jul 5, 2024). ["Generation swim for the Knowles family was one for the ages"](https://www.thenassauguardian.com/sports/generation-swim-for-the-knowles-family-was-one-for-the-ages/article_e374a4e8-2e87-11ef-8a99-cb0a418d3a8a.html). *The Nassau Guardian*. Retrieved 5 Jan 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Percy Knowles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Knowles) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Knowles?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.