Courtesy of Tampa Bay Frogman Swim, Gandy Beach, Florida.
The donors to this year’s 5 km Tampa Bay Frogman Swim raised over US$650,000 and counting that was donated to the Navy SEAL Foundation.
“We’ve come a long way since that first cold January morning in 2010 [in the inaugural Frogman Swim,” said annual participant retired Navy SEAL captain John Doolittle. “Thank you for taking care of our fallen warriors and their surviving family members. It’s an honor to be part of it all.”
Over the years, the donation total has grown annually:
2010 – US$34,000
2011 – US$55,000
2012 – US$125,000
2013 – US$252,000
2014 – US$270,000
2015 – US$391,000
2016 – US$602,000
2017 – US$550,000
2018 – US$650,000
What is remarkable is that only 175 swimmers participate in the swim and 53-55°F water. Doolittle said, “It’s a humbling experience to be part of an event that revolves around supporting Gold Star Family members, the families of our fallen warriors. On Saturday night, we had a dinner where the memories and spirits of their sons, husbands, brothers, fathers, nephews, and uncles alive.”
The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim has now expanded and hosts a sister swim in San Francisco, California called the Golden Gate Frogman Swim.
The photos above show the start of the early morning swim and the large screen at the finish that tracks the lead swimmer across the 5 km course (Sean Doolittle in 2017 and 2018).
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