Lewis Pugh, one of the nominees for the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year, sure gets around.

Michael Walker photographed Lewis finishing a 1K swim at 5,300 meters above sea level on Mt Everest in 2010 to highlight the impact of global warming on the Himalayan glaciers.

Down at the bottom of the world at sea level, Lewis Lewis continued his mission.

Terje Eggum photographed Lewis diving into the icy sea off Antarctica to undertake the most southern open water swim undertaken in 2005. His ability to do these swims has sparked the interest of scientists.

Dave Painter photographed Lewis at the University of Oulo in Finland in 2006 being tested via numerous experiments after it was discovered he could raise his core body temperature in anticipation of entering cold water.

The term anticipatory thermogeneses was coined as a result.

Jason Roberts photographed Lewis diving into the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean in 2007 to complete the first swim across the North Pole.

He undertook the swim across the open patch of sea to highlight the dramatic melting of the Arctic sea ice due to climate change. Between 2005 and 2006, 23% of the sea ice cover melted away.

Michael Walker photographed Lewis in the Maldives at a reception during his 140K swim across the island nation to draw attention to the impact of climate change on low-lying islands of the world. Many islands in the Maldives are less than half a meter in height from the ocean’s surface and are expected to disappear due to rising water levels caused by climate change.

WWF photographed Lewis arriving at No.10 Downing Street to meet Prime Minster Tony Blair to discuss the UK’s position in the UN Climate Change negotiations, during his 350km swim down the full length of the River Thames in 2006. He undertook the swim to draw attention to the severe drought in the UK and the impact climate change is having on the UK.

In a relative moment of peace in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf, Lewis was photographed swimming past the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.

His book, Achieving the Impossible, continues to sell strongly.

In 2011, Lewis will come to the United States where he will be a guest speaker at the 2011 International Swimming Hall of Fame ceremonies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he will undoubtedly enthrall the audiences with his tales of extreme swimming and passionate appeal for their involvement in climate change.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones