Wave Safe – Bruckner Chase Giving Back
Courtesy of Bruckner Chase and NOAA.
Bruckner Chase is giving back big-time.
After a lifetime of being in and around water as a competitive swimmer at Rice University, as a triathlete, as a coach of disabled and para swimmers, as an event organizer with Red Bull, and as an ocean lifeguard, Chase saw a missing piece in the open water swimming community.
He knew that there is a comprehensive plethora of information, data and know-how among his colleagues and administrators at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, and the National Weather Service, but there was a disconnect between these incredible resources and the vast number of people who enjoy the open water and shorelines around the world.
So Chase endeavored to fill that gap. After years of lobbying and explaining how bureaucrats and administrators could directly reach ocean-goers, Chase’s explanations ultimately fell on sympathetic ears. “He presented his vision, plans and budgets to NOAA and the National Weather Service about how their resources could help people learn how to be safe in the ocean,” said Steven Munatones.
“Once they came to agreement, Bruckner wrote the script and worked with the NOAA staff, traveling from the East Coast of the US to American Samoa videotaping and editing hours and hours of film. They ultimately distilled the images, videos and information into bit-sized vignettes that are easy to understand and appreciate. Bruckner also worked with some talented animators and artists to put together 11 videos – to date, with more coming.
From a pool competitor and marathon swimmer to a filmmaker and educator, Bruckner is really giving back to the greater open water community in a valuable way.”
In regards to beach-goer’s safety, the film series focuses on how important it is to respect the ocean.
As Chase reports in the videos, “If you want to be wave safe, you need to know about the hazards, but knowing is not enough if you don’t also stay aware and alert. When you drive, bike or walk to the beach you practice situational awareness – scanning for traffic, stop lights, signs and pedestrians to stay safe.
To stay safe at the beach, keep up your level of awareness whether you are on the sand or in the water.
It takes both what you know and what you see to keep you safe in the dynamic conditions on every shore. In the Northwest, sneaker waves can pull you into frigid waters. In Hawaii powerful shorebreaks can crush you. In California great surf breaks can quickly become dangerous waves.”
Ocean Today’s Every Full Moon video collection is posted here under Wave Safe.
These geographically targeted videos were produced to inform the ocean-interested public about natural hazards at the beach. The videos focus on being aware of dangerous ocean waves (high surf, shorebreak waves, and sneaker waves), and urge a mindset of situational awareness at all times by encouraging water enthusiasts to pay attention to constantly changing conditions on the shore.
For more information, visit the National Ocean Service here.
For more information about the NOAA Ocean Today Wave Safe Collection, visit here.
The Introduction to Wave Safe Series was created by Kurt Mann (Executive Producer), Jesse Achtenberg and Bob Schwartz, (Producer/Editor), Bruckner Chase (Content Expert, Writer Host) and Contributors Allie Allen, Deborah Jones, Michael Pai, Turner Gillespie, Shawn BWS, Eric Hingberger, Tom Shortridge, and Surf, Game, Action.
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