Randy Nutt, World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year

Thank you very much for voting in the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year and the World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year poll. Your participation was greatly appreciated.

The purpose of the poll was to recognize all the nominees who, in turn, represent all that is good with open water swimming and its enthusiasts.

The nominees from 11 countries (America, Australia, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa and the U.K.) ranged from world-class teenage swimmers to administrators who have guided the sport for decades.

The 2008 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year is Randy Nutt who outpolled an extremely accomplished field. Based on his decades in masters swimming, volunteering for a number of positions and organizing boutique swims in the Caribbean, Randy received consistent support throughout the public voting, leading from nearly start to finish.

The parallels between Randy and the poll’s second-place finisher, Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands are striking. Similar to Maarten’s victory in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim in Beijing, Randy’s victory was a result of many years in the sport. Very importantly, both Randy and Maarten have always lent a hand, sharing a passion and supporting others, on their way to victory. Their willingness to smile under stress and spend time with others are what makes them stand-out as victors – and representative of all that is good and impressive with this year’s World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year nominees.

Congratulations, Randy. We commend you for your passion and thank you for your efforts to host the unique and popular Bermuda Round the Sound Swim and Bonaire EcoSwim.

Lower photo by Patricia Sener shows Randy in a familiar pose at his Bonaire EcoSwim. Photo copyright by Patricia Sener.

Adventuring in Open Water with a Nutt

Randy Nutt, founder of Aqua Moon Adventures, is currently leading in the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year poll.

How is the founder of a boutique event company picking up more votes than well-known open water swimmers like Petar Stoychev, the English Channel record holder and winner of 8 consecutive FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix, or Maarten van der Weijden, the Olympic 10K champion?

Perhaps the reason is rooted in the fact that Randy has spent decades toiling in the nitty-gritty of the sport in a variety of roles as athlete, coach, administrator, paddler and race director? Perhaps the reason is because he has built long-lasting friendships with his Aqua Moon Adventures event participants? Perhaps it is because, year after year, Randy continues to secure beautiful locations throughout the Caribbean Sea to organize unique events that appeal to everyone from newcomers to Olympic swimmers?

Randy has forged partnerships with local government agencies, safety personnel and volunteer groups to stage his innovative events that have drawn competitors from all 50 U.S. states and from dozens of countries around the world.

As Randy humbly says, "I assume the support [I am receiving for the World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year] is from the friendships I have made over the years, primarily in United States Masters Swimming. USMS a leader in the field of exciting open water events and I have been very fortunate to have met and continue to meet enthusiastic adventurers like myself. The polls reflect the people around me as much as they do me."

Randy and his enthusiastic teams of volunteers from Bermuda to Bonaire have continued to dream up and implement fresh ideas to the benefit of the sport. "Aqua Moon Adventures is a boutique event company made up of volunteers who like to hold a thrilling event while giving back to the open water swimming community."

Information on the male nominees for the World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year are posted here. Details on the other female nominees for the World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year are posted here.

Upper photo shows the Bermuda Round the Sound Swim location and the lower photo shows some Bonaire EcoSwim participants.