Tomi Stefanovski travels the world to compete on the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix marathon swimming circuit.
As the senior statesman of the professional circuit, he finally won his first major race at the age of 42: the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean. The former water polo player competed in his first FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix race in 1997. After an English Channel crossing, dozens of pro swims, 6 shoulder surgeries, and the birth of his two daughters, he is swimming as well as ever.
After he won the Traversée, he mentioned, “I am so happy, very happy. I have to get a bigger apartment…I have two daughters – 3 and 5 years old.” And they are smiling too, “Go Daddy go!”
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.