OPEN WATER SWIMMER
MICHAEL READ (GBR)
FOR THE RECORD: Known for most of 26 years (1979-2005) as King of the English Channel (33 crossings); First to swim 4 way Lake Windermere (42 miles, 26h 3m), Hunstanton - Skegness-Hunstanton (40 miles), Mora to Amposta (SPN) (65 km) and English Channel swim six times in one year (1984); Completed crossings around Isle of Wright (60 miles), Loch Lomond (22 miles), Loch Earn (16 miles), Lock Tay (16 miles), Jeble to Latakia Syria (25 miles), Evian to Lausanne (25 km) and Nile River International; Channel Swimming Association (CSA) Committee (1973) and Chairman 1993-2007; President 2007- now, 1960 OLYMPIC TEAM: 4x200m freestyle relay alternate.

Most of Mike Reed's swims were in cold water ranging from 6 degrees C (42 F) to 15 degrees C (60 F). After switching attention from pool swimming (he was on the 1960 British Olympic Team) to open water, he has completed many lake swims in England, Scotland, throughout Europe, Northern Africa including crossing the English Channel 33 times to earn the title, "King of the Channel." His English Channel swims from 1969-84 totaled 18 World Records. He was the first person ever to make 6 successful channel swims in a year. He was Lake Windermere 2 way Champion from 1969-1977, setting the record six times. He was a FINA official (1969-1971), elected to the BLDSA committee (1970s) and has served on the CSA committee since 1977 as member, honorary Vice President, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board. Since 2007 he has been the CSA President