For Admiral Higgs Swimming Is A Necessity
Admiral Robert “Rusty” Higgs leads from the front, especially at the aQuellé Midmar Mile which he has done four times. “This year was fantastic. I could see the bottom. From the national defenses side, we have over 200 soldiers and navy here participating in the aQuellé Midmar Mile. Swimming and doing stuff in the water – whether it is in rivers, dams, pools and seas – is what we do.”
He explains his reasoning for encouraging his men to participate in the world’s largest competitive open water swim. “In the navy, swimming is not a sport. It is a necessity. Swimming is not optional in the navy.
Everyone must be able to swim and so the Midmar Mile is a very good opportunity for us to go and demonstrate our commitment to our profession.
[Our participation] is also about being role models for society, so that society can be inspired by all people in the navy swimming. By all people, we mean men and women, all races, all ages, all ranks, and of course, all abilities.”
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
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.
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