Citation

Carl took up long distance swimming at the age of 39, late by most standards, and successfully completed swims up to six miles in length, not considering marathon distances by any means. But he is known not so much as a swimmer, as a man totally dedicated to promoting and conducting Long Distance Swimming. He became British Long Distance Swimming Associations President in 1991 ans again in 2002.

He was a former president of the Bradford Long Distance Swimming Club, one of the first long distance swimming clubs in England. For 30 years, he served as the Honorary Secretary of the British Long Distance Swimming Associations (BLDSA) Pilot Lifesaver Scheme. He served as long distance swimming coach to Huddersfield Amateur Swimming Club for a few years before concentrating on teaching lifesaving. He is a grade 1 Royal Lifesaving Society Examiner.

Since 1975, he has towed the BLDSA rescue boat to almost every championship, year after year, from Loch Ness in the north to Torbay in the south. He is usually the first person on the water and the last to leave, always vigilant and always eagle - eyed to help a swimmer or crew in need of assistance.