With 53% of all Americans living within 50 miles of a coastline, it is not surprising that 1 of every 3 Americans participate in some form of ocean recreation.*
According to a survey published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere, the top 8 ocean activities, in terms of the number of annual participants, are as follows:
1. Visiting beaches: 77.8 million 2. Swimming: 60.3 million 3. Viewing and photographing scenery: 29.9 million 4. Fishing: 24.1 million 5. Bird watching: 21.8 million 6. Motor boating: 17.4 million 7. Other wildlife watching: 17.3 million 8. Snorkeling: 12.3 million
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.