Ocean Ambassador Bruckner Chase, utilizing a Hollings Ocean Grant from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, commenced the first Ocean Swimming Ocean Science class of Samoana High School.
After a successful launch with 25 students enrolled and 50 more on the waiting list, Bruckner is talking with the Department of Education about an exponential expansion this fall.
Ocean swimming with Toa o le Tai, paddle board practices and marine rescue instruction, Bruckner kept the students busy and the government officials impressed with his tireless ocean advocacy.
Patrick Roach, a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer for the United States Coast Guard also helped out with the Toa o le Tai program. “I was able to get sometime off, to come down here to help improve on people’s swimming, in teaching them to try and be strong and more relaxed in the water.
I have been rendered speechless [about American Samoa]. I have never been anywhere that is so tropical and beautiful. The people have been great to me.”
And he to them.
More photos here.
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.