Kurt Ott

From Openwaterpedia
Kurt Ott organizes the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim that was nominated for the 2019 WOWSA Awards in the World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year category

Kurt Ott is the Event director of the annual Tampa Bay Frogman Swim, Ambassador of the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Co-Chairman of the Frogman Swim Series which includes the San Francisco Frogman Swim in San Francisco Bay, California and the Boston Frogman Swim.

Tampa Bay Frogman Swim History

The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim is a 5 km charity event in Tampa Bay, Florida that helps raise funds for severely injured active duty Navy SEALs. The swim is supported by the Navy SEAL Foundation. The event has evolved into one of the most successful charity swims in the world, raising over $600,000 in the 2016 event and nearly $2.5 million total. On 3 January 2010 with less than 3 weeks notice, over 100 people gathered at Gandy Beach to swim and support raising over US$30,000 for a severely injured active duty Navy SEAL. The swim has been formally named the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim and is supported by the Navy SEAL Foundation.

2019 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year Nomination

The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim was nominated for the 2019 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year award as follows:

Charity swims attract all kinds of open water swimmers, from passionate environmentalists and those who remember the namesake of the event to local athletes and those who are simply drawn to the cause. The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim is supported by a wide spectrum of athletes, working exceptionally hard to honor and support the event's beneficiary: the Navy SEAL Foundation. The 5 km swim in Tampa Bay, Florida is the world's highest grossing charity swim per swimmer that raised over $725,000 in its 2019 event with only 164 swimmers. Because 100% of the proceeds support wounded and fallen Navy SEALs and their families, the success of this event is off the charts. Its start is solemn with a dignified military ceremony that is reflective and dramatic. The swim is not easy with swirling currents and low water temperatures, symbolic of the challenges that Navy SEALs face. Its finish is festive and celebratory. For the all-volunteer professional organization of the event by retired military officers, for the safe production of a challenging swim that has since expanded throughout the United States, for the selfless and extraordinarily generous support of military personnel and their families, the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim in Florida is a worthy nominee for the 2019 World Open Water Swimming Offering of the Year.

Leadership

Kurt Ott – Event director
Rory O'Connor (SEAL) - Director of Development
Terry Tomalin(in memoriam) (Tampa Bay Times) – Co-founder
CDR Dan O’Shea, USNR (SEAL) – Co-founder
Samuel Farnan - Co-founder

Navy SEAL Foundation

The Navy SEAL Foundation supports wounded and fallen Navy SEALs and their families. 100% of proceeds from the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim are donated to the Navy SEAL Foundation.

Mission

The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim strives to build national awareness of the Naval Special Warfare community and support the Navy SEAL Foundation whose mission is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families. The swim presents a challenging endeavor to provide a small reminder of the hardships endured by our elite and silent warriors while encouraging others to support and donate to the cause. 

Come swim with the Navy SEALs and help us “never leave a man behind”

External links

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