Robert Konrad Faced 1 Choice – Swim Towards The Lights
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Robert Konrad, a former professional American football player with the Miami Dolphins, had faced lots of pressure before in his athletic career, playing in stadiums filled with fans under the glare of television, but it was nothing like he faced this week in the Atlantic Ocean.
Nine miles off the east coast of Florida near Palm Beach, the 38-year-old Konrad fell from his boat while fishing and was unable to catch up to his boat that was on autopilot.
As the boat drifted away from him in the early evening, he had a simple choice: swim to shore.
9 long miles taking him over 10 hours without food, drink or anything but the lights of coastal Palm Beach to guide him, Konrad finally made it to shore hypothermic and exhausted. At one point, he saw the U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter pass over him, but they did not spot him.
For more details, visit ABC News.
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.
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