Bruckner Chase gave a talk at the 2022 American Meteorological Society’s National Conference for Broadcasters and Communicators entitled, “Are You Ocean Safe? A Conversation with Bruckner Chase‘.

The conversation (watch here) between Chase and Weather-Ready Nation’s Doug Hilderbrand focused on beach and coastline safety and forecasting. They discussed what it means to be a weather expert at and for the ocean, and the lifeguard mindset by learning more about what to look for to stay safe at the beach, how to forecast and plan for hazards, and what the major hazards might be in different weather conditions. 

Chase is more recently seen on The Weather Channel where he gives live segments on a variety of topics.

Chase coined a very descriptive definition of ocean swimming: Trail Running of the Sea.   He explains, “Just as each foot strike is a dance dictated by the conditions of the trail, so too each stroke must match the rhythm of the sea.”

Chase uses those concept during his Ocean City Swim Club (New Jersey) ocean workouts. “We have utilized a quarter-mile triangular off-shore course throughout our 16 years of hosting ocean swims. Not only does a triangular course allow the lifeguards to better monitor swimmers along the course, but it also means that swimmers are potentially facing new challenges with each turn.  

• Downwind become upwind.
• Sun in your eyes becomes sun behind you.
• Fighting into waves becomes being pushed by them.  

We add in the opportunity to do in & outs and each session lets our athletes practice myriad scenarios.

I always advise swimmers to take up prone paddling or surfing.  There is not better way to learn how to read the water than by spending time with your eyes just above the water assessing dynamic open water conditions.

If you are already a competent and confident ocean swimmer, I recommend that you ask your local beach patrol if you can join them for a workout.  Surf Lifesaving racing and swim events are intense and often bruising 400 meter box swims that demand exceptional knowledge of the surf zone.  

We also occasionally leave our GPS Smart Watches behind and designate workouts for just playing in the surf.  Waves and currents can be daunting to the uninitiated, but they can also be free speed to those that know how to read them.”

For more information, visit Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive here.

© 2023 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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