The category is meant to identify products and services that best support and assist open water swimmers achieve their goals, are innovative, unique and beneficial to open water swimmers, race directors, coaches or administrators, and have made the most positive impact on the world of open water swimming during the calendar year.
"For his ability to bring alive the sport of open water swimming, for his investment in a book that will go down as one of the best-selling swimming publications of all time, his book is a worthy nominee for the category," said Steven Munatones, CEO of Open Water Source.
"It is fantastic to be recognised by my peers in the global aquatic community. The sport of open water swimming is growing every year, despite the dangers such as hypothermia, sharks, pollution and shipping traffic," said Yach, who holds the record for the most crossings to Robben Island - 67 at last count.
Durbanite and Midmar Mile race director Wayne Riddin is also nominated for his work in creating an online social sharing capability for the world's largest competitive open water race.
Voting takes place at www.worldopenwaterswimmingassociation.com until 31 December and South Africans are encouraged to show their support.
