Steven Munatones becomes an MLC Honorary Life Member
Mediterranean 11.05.2024. The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation (MLC) proudly announces that the founder of World Open Water Swimming Association, Steven Munatones, (USA) became an MLC Honorary Life Member.
Steven Munatones rescued swimmers at two World Championship races and in various marine environments. He has written open water swimming safety documents and served on support teams in channel crossings and marathon swims in Japan, the South Pacific, and from California to the Caribbean Sea. He has organized international competitions and overseen safety at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, USA Swimming National Championships, Special Olympics World Summer Games, Waikiki Roughwater Swim, Triathlon in the Five Lakes of Mount Fuji, Atami Open Water Swim, Tsugaru Channel, and professional races (Maratón Cozumel, Traversée internationale du lac Mégantic, Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean, Traversée internationale du lac Memphrémagog). He helped create new safety parameters for USA Triathlon and was named one of the 10 Most Impactful People by Swimming World Magazine. He was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame and the Ice Swimming Hall of Fame, and received the Poseidon Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame and several awards from USA Swimming. He has written over 21,000 articles on open water swimming to help promote and protect those who venture beyond the shorelines. Swimming World Magazine described one of his books as "Whether you are planning on racing in an ocean, lake, river, canal, bay, dam, or reservoir, Open Water Swimming is your best guide to success. Steven Munatones wrote the perfect book for athletes of all levels who want to compete in the open waters of the world." He established the World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Oceans Seven, Ice Sevens, WOWSA Awards, and Open Water Swimming Magazine.
Munatones, commented about his recognition: "I have focused on the safety, training, preparation, and promotion of all those who venture beyond the shoreline for channel crossings, marathon competitions, and open water swims and relays in oceans, seas, bays, lakes, and rivers around the world. Because of that, I am honored to receive this Honorary Life Membership, but I am very humbled by the dedication and accomplishments of the other Honorary Life Members!"
The MLC President, Giorgio Quintavalle and the MLC Secretary General, Dr Stathis Avramidis, said on this occasion: “In more ways that can fit within a brief press release, Steven Munatones has been a unique, indispensable and tireless servant in safety and aquatics. His work ethic, organizational, technological and administrative talents are rare and profound. He has pioneered and set himself at the front line whenever needed in countless occasions to serve the world of aquatics, even when his own health was at risk. Steven is a great role model of leadership for all of us. The MLC is proud to induct him among our finest honorees!”
