With the world covered with water and the world so dominated by oceans (Antarctic or Southern, Arctic, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific), do we have one ocean or different oceans?
Prior to 2000, the world’s geographers defined only four oceans (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific), but in 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization announced the fifth and newest ocean in the area surrounding Antarctica in its Limits of Oceans and Seas (S-23).
The Southern Ocean, created from the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, is a separate eco-system about double the size of the United States. It ranges in water temperature between -2°C and 10°C (28-50°F) where the world’s largest ocean current, the eastward-moving Antarctic Circumpolar Current, exists.
But since the oceans are all connected, does the Earth have five oceans or just one big one?
As open water swimmers travel around the world, dipping their toes in the world’s ocean(s), certain similarities start to become apparent.
The structures lining the beaches and the physical backdrop are hints of déjà vu. Here are just a few examples of beaches that seem to have common DNA:
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.