Especially in the open water, especially in the Midmar Dam in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
The 86-year-old Arbuthnot will compete in his 44th aQuellé Midmar Mile – out of 44 editions. It is an unparalleled history of participation in the world of open water swimming.
Year in and year out since 1973, the South African has participated in the mile swim across the Midmar Dam. He and his buddies, Dick Park and Brian Glover, were unable to compete in the Buffalo Mile in East London because of petrol restrictions and decided to stage a race in KwaZulu-Natal.
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.