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Open Water

heart & soul

His out-of-the-box creations have resulted in The Daily
News of Open Water Swimming, the International
Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame website, 10Kswim,
Virtual Swim, the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming,
Water Polo Hair, and SwiMetrics. If you attended the
Global Open Water Swimming Conferences in California
or New York, you may have noticed that he was the host.

After researching and reading about Munatones, I could
not wait to have a talk with him. I finally caught up with
him on the phone and had a pleasant conversation.

Lumbie: How did your love of open water swimming

begin? Why open water? What are the risks?

Munatones: I did my first open water swimming competition
at the age of 6 in Long Beach, California. But I frequently went
to the beach since I was an infant. I was born in Los Angeles,
California, and both of my parents love the ocean. The ocean
presents many risks, but if you are taught what to look for and
what to do (how to body-surf and how to swim and how to
breathe in rough water), the risks are minimized.

Lumbie: Are your children following in your footsteps

and staying in the water?

Munatones: All my children love to swim, but my son focuses
on water polo which I also played and love.

Lumbie: What's your best advice to someone about to

undertake a major, long-distance swim?

Munatones: Build up to your goal. It is unwise to attempt
the English Channel on your first swim. Learn to enjoy and
appreciate the open water by doing many short swims first
and then build up to your goal. Open water swimming can be
a lifestyle and can be something you can do over your entire
life. View your participation as a long-term proposition.

Lumbie: You've spent most of your life in the open

water as an athlete, coach, administrator, writer,

race director, kayaker, paddler, you name it. Is there

anything you haven't done? Are you satisfied with your

accomplishments?

Munatones: I have never piloted a boat and would prefer
to leave the boat driving to others. But I enjoy every aspect
of the sport and learn something new in every swim that I
participate in or see.

Lumbie: If you were to live your life over again, what

would you do differently?

Munatones:I would train harder and try to swim faster. And
try to be more polite. But I have enjoyed quite a fortunate life,
being born in Los Angeles, and had the good fortune to travel
the world.

Lumbie: You've won two national open water swimming

championships, including the World Long distance

swimming Championship. This says a lot about

passion and mental and physical toughness. How did

you prepare for both events mentally and physically,

and was there ever a time you came close to quitting?

Munatones: I never came close to quitting simply because
I enjoy swimming too much. If you enjoy and appreciate
something, there is no desire to quit. But, of course, I did
not over-train and was fortunate to avoid injuries. I did some
absolutely crazy training sessions. I recall being so tired I
could not even drive home. I remember pushing myself so
hard that, after a workout, I had to sit in my car and recover
(eat and sleep) before I felt it was safe to drive home.

Lumbie: Throughout your swim life, who has been your

role model?

Munatones: The one constant is my father, who is the ultimate
role model, but I find inspiration in many people around me
or who I meet. I have been motivated by people at work, at
competitions, and who I read about in the news.

Lumbie: You started openWaterPedia.com website, a

multi-lingual online reference and research tool for the

endurance sports, triathlon, and aquatic community. Is

this tool serving its purpose?

Munatones: Yes, it has done well. There are over 8,700 entries
in the online encyclopedia now after 8 months.

Lumbie: What advice would you give to someone

starting open water swimming?

Munatones: There are 3 easy steps: (1) be safe and swim with
others; (2) learn everything about the sport, including how to
swim without swallowing water; and (3) enjoy.

Lumbie: As an adviser and coach in the sport of

open water swimming, how can swimmers, coaches,

administrators, and referees ensure their safety and

continued success in open water swimming?

Munatones: They must understand the inherent risks of the
sport. While it is true that some people can swim in 5°C water,
others can swim 20 miles in rough water, some can withstand
the sting of a Portuguese Man-o-war, and some swimmers
can body-surf well, this does not mean that everyone can do
so. It is important to swim with a friend, swim in safe areas,
and continue to use great precautions. They should look for an
experienced and understanding coach who can guide them
through this process.

For more information on Steven Munatones, visit

www.openwaterswimming.com/about and www.dailynews.openwaterswimming.com.