Reef balls are made by Eternal Reefs, a company that offers unique resting places on the ocean floors for the remains of individuals upon their passing.
Reef balls are designed to replicate the natural substrata that Mother Nature uses for reef development. The material is made of natural materials that attract and encourage micro-organisms to settle and propagate on the reefs. Patented mold systems create reefs that closely mimic natural reef formations. Special design features make it easy for sea life to attach and grow on these designed reef structures.
In 1992, the first reef ball was completed near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in the United States.
Since then, there have been more than 4,000 projects in 70 countries with more than 700,000 reef balls placed on the ocean floor. Popular among military veterans, environmentalists, fishermen, sailors, and divers, Reef Balls seem an alternative resting place for interested open water swimmers.
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.