Dying on Dry Land was the theme of Dr. Bruce Becker’s acceptance speech at the 2011 International Swimming Hall of Fame ceremonies earlier this year. For the past three decades, Dr. Becker has research the effects of aquatic activities on people with disabilities, injuries or ailments. He has shown that exercise in the water maximizes the effect of exercise and rehabilitative recovery. His research has also shown that simply being submerged still in water up to the neck increases cardiac output by 30%.
An extraordinarily prolific scientist and physician, he has written 91 publications and delivered 203 presentations since 1975 and has proven that the aquatic environment produces changes in the body that help remove metabolic waste, improve cardiac function, lower blood pressure, assist in tissue healing and aiding in circulatory, pulmonary, and musculo-skeletal systems.
“Dr. Becker is a selfless individual who is one of the heroes of our society,” described Bruce Wigo, CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
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.