LONG BEACH, California. There is something about swimming in the early morning, just before the sun rises. There is unique tranquility in the air, a peaceful time before day breaks.
Whether you are a swimmer in Melbourne, London, Barcelona, Okinawa, Sri Lanka or Long Beach, when the glorious rays of the sun pierce the darkness, life seems like a treasure. A natural kick-off to be healthy, active and productive.
The Dawn Patrol is one group of friends who started swimming together in the Long Beach Yacht Club pool in Southern California and then extended their aquatic lifestyle to the open water.
“We’re just a group of middle-aged guys who found each other a few years ago in the Long Beach Yacht Club pool trying to get in shape and stay active. Soon we realized that we actually enjoyed swimming and found comfort and motivation swimming together. Early mornings before the world wakes up and the workday starts. That’s our thing.”
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.