“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 in its 15th 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.”
After the event, some of the swimmers consumed Terry Tomalin’s Frog Grog created by event sponsor 3 Daughters Brewing. The Frog Grog celebrates the life and legacy of Terry Tomalin, one of the co-founders of the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim.
The event outraised itself with its 150 swimmers who raised over US$1.1 million this year.
The event gives out four annual awards:
- The CAPT Norm Ott Service/Leadership Award: Kathy Ott
- The Naked Warrior Award: Regina Feeks
- The LCDR Dan Cnossen Above & Beyond Award: Courtney Blum
- The Terry Tomalin “Spirit of Tampa Bay” Award: Esther Kibbe
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more event information or to donate, visit www.tampabayfrogman.com.
© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“
Awesome article… and incredible speech by CAPT Ron Malloy… a close friend and teammate.