This is a big deal, I murmur as I take in the scene around me: at least a hundred people in various forms of undress are scattered across the gravelly parking lot or posted under tents in the sand spectating; others squat next to canoes or trudge their way out of the bay water. The announcer is calling out the name of the 5k swimmer who has most recently resurfaced and along with the swimmer’s name is the Navy SEAL he swims in honor of today. A jumbotron hangs over the finish line and the camera zooms in as swimmer makes her way out of the water, looking tired but accomplished.
The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim is an annual 3.1 mile swim across Tampa Bay. The foundation’s website shares some history to give perspective: “On January 3rd, 2010 with less than three weeks notice, a grassroots effort brought over 30 people together at Gandy Beach in St. Petersburg, Florida to swim across the 55-degree waters of Tampa Bay, raising over $30,000 for a severely injured active duty Navy SEAL. The 5k point-to-point swim has evolved into an annual event that is now an official Navy SEAL Foundation fundraiser and has raised over 3 million dollars for the Foundation.”
I consider this as I scan the waters of Tampa Bay, surprised at how many participants I see still making their way toward the island. In its first year, the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim attracted fewer than 40 participants. Co-founder Terry Tomalin — former outdoor-fitness editor for the Tampa Bay Times who died unexpectedly in 2016 — would be proud to see this year’s registration has more than 150 participants and sold out in less than 15 minutes. Fundraising for the Navy SEAL Foundation reached over $650,000 in 2018 and is expected to surpass that this year.
The morning began with the opening ceremony, which included an announcement of names of fallen SEALs who died in service. Posters with pictures and bios of SEALs stood scattered along the sands of the beach while their names were read. Each Frogman participant is paired up with a SEAL they swim in honor of; volunteer kayakers paddle alongside the swimmers and wear a picture and name badge of their swimmer’s SEAL around their neck.
The 5k swim lasts anywhere from one to two-and-a-half hours, depending on swimmer speed and water conditions. Closing ceremonies at Hula Bay include speeches made about the reason for the swim: the incredible sacrifices made by Navy SEALs and their families, the importance of honoring them and giving hope to those SEALs who have suffered serious injury in duty. Also included on the closing ceremonies menu this year is Terry Tomalin’s Frog Grog Pilsner, a special brew whose 3 Daughters Brewery debut made it just in time for this year’s event, honoring the former Frogman and beloved Tampa Bay hashtag #terrywouldgo.
Spirits are high as more swimmers reach the shore, and as the kayaks accumulate on the edge of the beach I can’t help but consider the dedication and training it takes to complete a 3.1 mile open-water swim — and then I try to imagine the dedication, training and sacrifice it must take to be a Navy SEAL. I look around me at the swimmers, the kayakers who led the way and the families of Navy SEALs here to honor those they have lost.
The mission of the Tampa Bay Frogman Swim is “to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families,” their website states. “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.”
Seeing the pictures of fallen SEALs, the swimmers who honor their memory and the family members here to show gratitude and support brings me nearly to tears. I am humbled, yes. I am humbled and I am also moved.
The event’s motto is demonstrated in the presence and energy of those surrounding me this breezy Tampa Bay morning, and I consider the depth of the water and the meaning behind it: “Never leave a man behind.”
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This article appears in Jan 24-31, 2019.
