Open Water Swimming Hero Of The Day - Des Renford

Des Renford of Australia was inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1978

Des was King of the Channel® between 1975 and 1979 with 19 successful crossings (out of 19 attempts) of the English Channel that included 10 records. He was the first person complete three crossings in a year. He was also King of the Channel® briefly in 1980 after he achieved his eighteenth crossing.

Des swam the 22.5K (13.9-mile) Sydney Harbour swim from Luna Park to Manly and back in Australia. He won a 60K (37.2-mile) race down the Murray River from Mindook Creek to Mildura in Australia in 1969 in 19 hours. He swam a 36.6K (22.7-mile) race across Queensland's Moreton Bay in Australia in 1973. He completed a 90K (55.9-mile) ocean swim from Watsons Bay to Wollongong in 27 hours and 30 minutes in 1974. He set a record for a swim around Alcatraz Island in 1977.

Excerpt from 10Kswim.com.