We gotta like the solar panels that the Tsugaru Channel Swimming Association uses on the Tsugaru Channel solo and relays swims in Japan.
With Ocean Navi‘s Masayuki Moriya coordinating land logistics, marine operations and online communications for family and friends of channel swimmers in the Tsugaru Channel in Japan, the amount of time on the escort boats can reach over 20 hours. Batteries run down and communications cease.
With Chris Kraus, Brian Ross, and Rick Gaenzle swimming well from Honshu to Hokkaido on a 3-man relay, their crew remains connected and juiced up with the Goal Zero solar panels powering their video cameras, iPhones, and laptops on Captain Mizushima’s boat.
That little extra natural juice is welcomed, especially as the swimmers get closer and closer to their goal and battery life starts to get shorter and shorter.
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.