“It is beyond my comprehension for these people to see these people swim to honor our sons,” says Sandy Wirtz who lost her son, Scott Wirtz, a Navy SEAL. “They come out here to do this swim and it means everything to their mothers and fathers.”
Scott was talking about the 5 km Tampa Bay Frogman Swim in Florida – now in its 16th year – that raises money for the Navy SEAL Foundation. One of America’s Top 100 Open Water Swims, the Frogman Swim is one of the highest grossing charity swims in the world.
Organizer Kurt Ott explains, “We are a group of motivated individuals, driven by a passion to support the Navy SEAL Foundation and families of those men who have given their lives in defense of our freedom. The proceeds to the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim will be used to provide injury assistance to Navy SEALs and tragedy assistance for families who have lost a loved one in training or combat. Our goal is to provide support for the Naval Special Warfare Community and perpetuate the history and heritage of the U.S. Naval Commandos.
The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim strives to build national awareness of the Naval Special Warfare community and support the Navy SEAL Foundation whose mission is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families. The swim presents a challenging endeavor to provide a small reminder of the hardships endured by our elite and silent warriors while encouraging others to support and donate to the cause.”
In the explanatory video above, John Doolittle, CAPT, USN (Ret) talks about Gold Star Families.
Doolittle, an English Channel swimmer who was deployed on numerous overseas missions over his 25-year career says, “On January 19th, we’ll participate in the 16th annual Tampa Bay Frogman Swim supporting the Navy SEAL Foundation. The 3.5-mile cold water swim across Tampa Bay is a small challenge compared to what our naval special operators endure in their sacrifice for our country. The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim was borne out of the need to help one severely injured Navy SEAL. The event has now evolved to support all wounded and fallen Naval Special Warfare personnel and their families through the work of the Navy SEAL Foundation, consistently rated a top, four-star charity by Charity Navigator. The goal of the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim is to build national awareness of the Naval Special Warfare community and support the Foundation whose mission is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families. Please support our event and the Foundation and help us “never leave a man behind.”
Amount of Donations
Year after year, the event – with only 150 swimmers – raises over US$1 million, a significant feat for the relatively small number of participants.
Awards
The event gives out four annual awards: The CAPT Norm Ott Service/Leadership Award, The Naked Warrior Award, The LCDR Dan Cnossen Above & Beyond Award, and The Terry Tomalin “Spirit of Tampa Bay” Award.
The CAPT Norm Ott Service/Leadership Award is awarded based on three pillars:
- Going above and beyond to support the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim and the Navy SEAL Foundation, whether that be swimming, volunteering, fundraising, supporting etc.
- Someone who we view as an Ambassador of the event.
- Exhibiting leadership not only in their service to the event and Foundation but also in the community and/or to country.
- Recipients have included: 2024 – Kathy Ott, 2023 – Jill Picha, 2021 – Leo Briceno, 2020 – Hunt Broyhill, 2019 – Charlie Orbell, 2018 – Ken Bowen, 2017 – Jay Vessey, 2016 – Glenn & Amy King, 2015 – Randy Enzman, 2014 – The Malloy Family, 2013 – Glenn Paige, 2012 – Rory O’Connor, and 2011 – Kurt Ott.
The Spirit of the “Naked Warrior” Award is awarded to those who swim in true “Naked Warrior” spirit.
- The forerunners of today’s Navy SEALs were the World War II Frogmen, often referred to as the Naked Warriors who were commandos who cleared the beaches of Normandy and the Pacific Islands wearing nothing more than their swim trunks, mask and fins.
- In this spirit, in January 2010, with an air temperature of 37°F and a water temperature of 55°F, John Doolittle chose to swim wearing only a Speedo in honor of wounded warrior, fellow Navy SEAL LT Dan Cnossen, the namesake of the inaugural swim.
- Recipients have included: 2024 – Regina Feeks, 2023 – Luke Kittel, 2022 – Chris Kinney, 2021 – Doug Callison, 2020 – Ella Bracken, 2019 – Zane Forte, 2018 – Ryan Doolittle, 2017 – Sam Farnan, 2016 – Joe Neal, 2015 – Sean Doolittle, 2014 – Reagan Quilty, 2013 – Becca Mann, 2012 – Thomas O’Connor, and 2011 – Terry Tomalin.
The LCDR Dan Cnossen Above & Beyond Award is given to those who exemplify the spirit of the the awards namesake, Dan Cnossen, the beneficiary of the inaugural Tampa Bay Frogman Swim.
- The recipient will have show that spirit either physically, emotionally and/or mentally to go above and beyond while supporting the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim and the Naval Special Warfare community.
- When Dan Cnossen, a Kansas native, arrived at the US Naval Academy, he had never seen an ocean and did not know how to swim. By the time he left in 2002, he was an accomplished triathlete. “Life is all about extremes” he always told his friends.
- On 7 September 2009, while leading his SEALs in combat in Afghanistan, LT Cnossen stepped on a land mine. Less than four months after losing both legs, he competed in his first half marathon, finishing fourth in the wheelchair division, in freezing rain and snow. Now a lieutenant commander, Cnossen has since gone on to become a successful Paralympic athlete competing in cross country skiing and biathlon.
- Recipients have included: 2024 – Courtney Blum, 2023 – Tom & Ginny Feeks, 2022 – Allison LaRochelle, 2021 – Steve Swift, 2020 – Stephen Corcoran, 2019 – Tim Rice, 2018 – Mike Wilson, 2017 – Bill Bracken, 2016 – Eric Smith, 2015 – COL Patty Collins, 2014 – The Skonicki Family, 2013 – Mark Dobersch, 2012 – CDR Dan O’Shea, and 2011 – Chris Quilty.
The Terry Tomalin “Spirit of Tampa Bay” Award honors the legacy of event co-founder Terry Tomalin, who lived life with unbridled enthusiasm and a deep love for his family, community and environment.
- An expert outdoorsman, Terry used his journalistic gift to share his amazing adventures inspiring countless people to not just admire but step into nature. He gave countless volunteer hours to help orchestrate the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim. He was always thinking of others and went above and beyond, inspiring each person who crossed his path.
- Always living life to the fullest and with the greatest of passion, Terry once wrote “I used to think attitude was everything, now I know it’s the only thing.”
- The Spirit of Tampa Bay Award is bestowed upon a Frogman Swim supporter who has shown a passion and put forth the extra effort to lead in the community, outdoors, Scouts or any other areas close to Terry’s heart.
- Recipients have included: 2024 – Esther Kibbe, 2023 – Bryan Anderson, 2022 – Brad Lockhart, 2021 – Nicholas Melillo, 2020 – Anthony McCarley, 2019 – William Whale, 2018 – Sean Gucken (posthumously), and 2017 – The Tomalin Family (Kanika, Kai, Nia).
For more event information or to donate, visit www.tampabayfrogman.com.
© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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A World Open Water Swimming Federation project.
This is the most beautiful event that takes place in the Tampa Bay Area, in my honest opinion. I think everyone should be aware of the Frogman Swim and people should be lining both shores and the entire Gandy Bridge cheering and supporting the swimmers and the kayakers. I will be volunteering again this year at the kayaker check in table. But this year, I will have the incredibly proud honor of watching my older son, Christopher Emmons, a Navy veteran swim with my younger son, Jacob Greer, paddling alongside him as his support kayaker. Just look for the Mom with a huge smile and tears in her eyes.