The United States Navy Sea, Air and Land Forces, commonly known as the Navy SEALs, do special reconnaissance operations, unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism – and are incredibly fit people who can withstand very cold water like the best of open water swimmers.
While their experience and relationship in the water is different than competitive open water or marathon swimmers, many of their philosophies and methodologies for optimal movement in the water are appropriate for open water swimmers:
1. Focus on balance, length and rotation 2. Feel like you are swimming downhill 3. Be streamlined – swim parallel to the water line 2. Face and eyes facing down while swimming 3. Align your head and body position
For more information on how they teach the Navy SEALs, check 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.