Five Surfers Drown Off the Coast of the Netherlands

THE TRAGEDY WAS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY STRONG WINDS AND ROUGH SEAS

Surfer May 12, 2020

After an unfortunate turn of events, the Dutch surf community mourns a tragic loss. The bodies of five surfers, several of whom were believed to be seasoned watermen with professional experience in open-water swimming, were found in the water near Scheveningen, a popular surf hub in the Netherlands about 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam.

According to various news reports, a group went missing yesterday evening after venturing out into the ocean during a particular heavy storm. After receiving their first call, the Dutch Coast Guard was able to rescue several people from the water last night, but two were later pronounced dead. When the search recommenced this morning, two more bodies were pulled from the North Sea and, according to the NYT, “one more was seen floating out to sea.” The Coast Guard ended its search in the early afternoon.  Read More

Fishpeople | Lives Transformed by the Sea

 Fishpeople tells the stories of a unique cast of characters who have dedicated their lives to the sea. Featuring Kimi Werner, Eddie Donnellan, Dave Rastovich, Matahi Drollet, Ray Collins and Lynne Cox. Directed by Keith Malloy

Hawaii-born Jason Momoa makes a splash on "Aquaman" movie

It’s fitting that Jason Momoa is catapulting to international stardom in a movie titled “Aquaman.”

Like the comic book superhero he portrays in the Warner Bros. DC Extended Universe blockbuster that opens here Friday, the Hawaii-born actor is a true waterman who learned the ways of the ocean from his ohana and a close-knit network of mentors.

Also like his half-human, big-screen alter ego, Momoa, 39, is a product of two distinct and vastly different cultures.  Read More 

25th Annual Waterman's Weekend Dates Set, Honorees Announced / SIMA

SIMA will honor Tom Carrol as Waterman of the Year

SIMA Celebrates 25^th Anniversary of Waterman’s Weekend, Honors Tom Carroll, Rusty Preisendorfer, Ted Danson and Hobie Alter

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif.  — The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) will celebrate 25 years of uniting the surf industry and protecting the environment by honoring surf legend and two-time world champion Tom Carroll as Waterman of the Year, Golden Globe Award Winner and environmental activist Ted Danson as Environmentalist of the Year, and legendary shaper Rusty Preisendorfer with the Lifetime Achievement Award. A Special Recognition Award will also be presented to the family of influential surf industry figure, Hobie Alter, in memory of SIMA’s first-ever Waterman of the Year.

The 25^th Annual Waterman’s Weekend will be held August 8-9, 2014, at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Calif. The weekend begins Friday, August 8, at the Monarch Beach Golf Links with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament, and concludes on Saturday, August 9, with the Waterman’s Ball and Auction.

Video - Diana Nyad Completes Cuba to Florida Swim

History in the making - Diana Nyad has become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage. The 64-year-old Nyad stepped ashore in Key West on Monday just before 2 p.m., about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday.

    

Diana Nyad hopefully landing in Key West between 4pm and 6pm today

Diana is on course to swim 112 statute miles. This is 35 more miles than anyone has ever swam. They are expecting her to cross reef marker 32 at 11 a.m.  Then it is 5 miles to Smather’s Beach in Key West, which is 1 1/3 miles east of White Street Pier with a hopeful landing between 4pm and 6pm today.

Teammates are reported earlier today; “During this time, Diana has stopped numerous times to tread water trying to restore herself. We don’t know how strong she is swimming at this point, but we’ll get an update soon.” Usually seeing the dawn helps; daylight tends to uplift her.

Track her current location at;  http://www.diananyad.com/

Is he coming back? Michael Phelps vague about Olympic future

Barcelona, Spain - (AP) -- When Michael Phelps walked away from swimming after the London Olympics, he was adamant about one thing: His career was over.
Now, it sounds like he's not so sure.

Former Olympic and world swimming champion Michael Phelps of the US attends the unveiling of a mosaic installed in his honour at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, July 28, 2013 .

(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

While saying he's never been happier with his life -- and certainly doesn't miss the grind of what it took to become the winningest athlete in Olympic history -- Phelps left the door open to change his mind before the 2016 Rio Games.

"I don't know what's going to happen in the future," Phelps said Monday. "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow."

In Barcelona for the world swimming championships, Phelps spoke to The Associated Press and other international media organizations in a series of one-on-one interviews set up by his sponsor, Speedo. When asked by the AP, yes or no, whether he'll compete at the next Olympics, Phelps coyly said he hasn't planned that far ahead in his life.

The new shark deterrent wetsuit / Surfer Today

Well, I will leave it to the readers here to decide?  The new shark deterrent wetsuit: The world's first shark deterrent wetsuits have been unveiled by the University of Western Australia and Shark Attack Mitigation Systems.

Paddleboarding Philosophy Part of 'Waterman Ethic'

June 20, 2013 • Space Coast Daily • Cocoa Beach, Florida — An important component of the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum’s mission is the promotion of the “Waterman Ethic” within the surf community.

A ‘Waterman’ is someone who is at home in the ocean and is comfortable in many water disciplines.

(Shutterstock image)

This philosophy espouses the belief that surfers should expand their horizons beyond the confines of surfing and become knowledgeable about all aspects of ocean pursuits such as sailing, paddleboarding, diving (both SCUBA and free diving) fishing, spear fishing and so on. 

This produces an individual who feels at home in the ocean, an individual who can be counted on to respond appropriately to any situation that the sea can muster.

There is no degree given or certificate awarded, just the satisfaction that you are recognized as a true Waterman by your peers.  Read more; Paddleboarding Philosophy Part of 'Waterman Ethic' |

Oakley Surf Team Goes Through Surf Survival Course

Nearly every surfer has experienced the sensation: pinned to the ocean bottom, trying to swim for the surface, desperate for a few quick gasps of air to avoid what might happen if they don't. It's a scary moment and therefore, a tough time to stay composed - even the pros say so. According to Kurt Krack, who teaches a surf survival course around breath holding, composure is key. While on the North Shore, six Oakley surfers took part in Krack's two-day course to better prepare themselves for the type of hold-downs and life-threatening situations that come with competitive surfing and freesurfing waves like Teahupoo, Pipeline, Jaws and many of the other heavy-water breaks around the world.

During the course, the crew of guys - which ranged from big-wave surfers Danny Fuller and Rico Jimenez to WCT vets Melling and Tommy Whitaker to upcoming pros Eric Geiselman and Thomas Woods - learned the science of how the body is affected by a lack of CO2 and then got in the pool to put into action their live-saving education. As you'll see, learning to stay submerged for upwards of four or five minutes isn't a feat strictly for NAVY Seals - one of the guys added almost four minutes to how long he could hold his breath based on what he learned and applied. As Jimenez says in the clip, "confidence, knowledge and skill" are key elements to surviving in the water. For these surfers, this course helped to illustrate just how science and technology can feed into future performances when the conditions get heavy and things go wrong.

 

Source; Oakley Media

We continue to ask the question, "What is a Waterman"?

We continue to ask the question, "What is a Waterman"?

Take a look at a video by The Waterman League and Interviews with Gerry Lopez and Brian Keaulana about the concept of a waterman, past and present.

 

Source; The Waterman League

Xcel Core Files - Hawaiian Water Patrol

Hawaiian Water Patrol

The Xcel Core Files Series is a behind-the-scenes look at surfers and all-around watermen committed to performance in the best conditions around the world. From Jaws to Jersey to the North Shore and beyond, these are their stories ...

 

 

Source; Xcel Hawaii Media

Nominees sought for Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame

A new class of distinguished waterman legends will be inducted into the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame this August and the public is being invited to nominate worthy candidates for consideration.

The Hall of Fame nomination packet and submittal instructions are available at the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation’s (ODKF) website. http://www.dukefoundation.org/

There is no fee required. The deadline for nominating a candidate is April 7.

With support from respected watermen in the community, ODKF established the Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame three years ago to honor the accomplishments of Hawaii’s legendary watermen and waterwomen.

All For One, One For All Swim Across The Molokai Channel

Every channel swimmer knows it takes a team to successfully cross a channel. An expert pilot, a dedicated crew, trusty paddlers or kayakers.

And now Molokai Channel swimmers have the opportunity to take their own teams across the Ka’iwi Channel, one of the famed Oceans Seven channels.

Jeff Kozlovich and Steve Haumschild are organizing the first Ka'iwi Channel Swim this summer. 26miles across the Ka’iwi Channel from the west shore of Molokai to Sandy Beach on the east shore of Oahu.

The race will be held on August 24th, 2013 and is limited to 40 teams of 2 or 6 swimmers. Kozlovich say, "The race will put some meaning back into the word epic."

While there have been 29 swimmers recorded as having crossed the Ka’iwi Channel on their own, this is the first organized team race across the channel. Both Haumschild and Kozlovich have served as personal escorts to Bill Goding, Penny Palfrey, Darren Miller, Oliver Wilkinson, and others. "Our experiences have led us to imagine an event that would bring the giants of the field to compete with, and against, each other, with a healthy representation of the open water swimming community joining in on the fun."

But this relay is not just for the elites. Haumschild and Kozlovich mention on their blog, "This is shaping up to be one incredible race that will strengthen the open water swimmer presence in Hawaii and create amazing memories and friendships." Haumschild says, "The race participants are some of the most competitive, experienced and trained athletes in the world." Registration for this race opens on March 15th 2013. For more information, visit the Ka’iwi Channel Swim website here or by contacting Jeff Kozlovich at kozhawaii@gmail.com.

The date is set. The challenge has been offered. The 26 miles (42 km) will be epic, no doubt about it.

Source; Open Water Swimming

Are Open Water Swimmers Watermen?

Thursday, January 10, 2013 - Open Water Source

To answer that question, we first must understand what is a waterman, a term used frequently in the surfing world?

Watermen - or its feminine equivalent, waterwomen - are individuals who are considered by their peers and the marine sports community to be well-adept, experienced and highly skilled in various marine sports and aquatic activities, performed safely and courageously in myriad conditions.

Their abilities are matched by their passion and comfort levels in the ocean. They surf, swim, paddle, kayak, body surf, boat, and dive. They can do rowing, fishing, stand-up paddling, surf lifesaving, lifeguarding, kite sailing and windsurfing.

Ocean Rescue Lifeguards of Florida - # 1

Deerfield Beach Lifeguard Tower - C Michael Hager

 

As we prepare to enter into a new year and with the coming beach season, we thought it would be fitting to feature a different type of watermen!  We will look at some of the different agencies, tryouts, training, day to day work and lifestyles of Ocean Rescue Lifeguards in Florida.

20 Surfing Dolphins Line Up To Catch A Wave

Many visitors to beaches around the world have two particular things on their 'to do' list?  Go surfing and swim with dolphins.

It seems the dolphins like to do exactly the same.

As this astonishing picture shows, this group of at least 20 of the creatures couldn't resist catching a giant wave when it came along.

The friendly animals often come close to the shore at this spot some 300 miles north of Perth in Western Australia and rub their noses against swimmers and surfers in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

From: Mail Online News

Laguna's water culture comes to life with 'Waterman's Wall'

Link: Laguna's water culture comes to life with 'Waterman's Wall'

After three years of not knowing if he would ever be able to complete his work, Laguna Beach artist Randy Morgan unveiled his latest piece that tells the story of Laguna's waterman culture at the corner of Beach Street and Forest Avenue on the wall of the Hobie Surf Shop

The sculpture features watermen — surfers, skim boarders, stand-up paddleboaders, lifeguards and more — both past and present. Some are world famous, like surfer Mike Parsons, while others are local legends.

References;
Waterman's Wall; http://www.watermanswall.com/
One World One Ocean http://www.oneworldoneocean.com/blog/entry/the_watermans_wall
Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot http://www.coastlinepilot.com/entertainment/tn-cpt-1207-watermans-wall-mural-20121206,0,5837185.story

Legendary Surfer and Queen of Makaha, Rell Sunn

I never had the opportunity to meet her, but this site would not be complete without a feature on one of the first true waterwomen, Rell Sunn.  Often referred to as the "Queen of Makaha or First Lady of the Sea," Sunn was a quintessential waterwoman, excelling at all watersports, including surfing, bodysurfing, swimming, spearfishing, and open-water outrigger canoeing.  Her Hawaiian middle name, Ka-polioka'ehukai, means Heart of the Sea, also the name of a documentary about he life.

Photo credit to: Rell Sunn Educational Fund

National Navy UDT-Seal Museum, Fort Pierce, FL

A great museum of interest to watermen sits just south of central Florida on the coast of Fort Pierce.  This is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the elite warriors of Naval Special Warfare. 

 

The museums mission is to preserve the history of the US Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including the Underwater Demolition Teams, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Office of Strategic Services Maritime Units and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.

 

Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, the birthplace of the Navy Frogman, the Museum promotes public education by providing the opportunity to explore the history of the US Navy SEALs in an atmosphere of respect and honor.

 

 

 Location: 3300 N. Highway A1A, North Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, FL 34949.

Times: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 12-4 p.m.

http://www.navysealmuseum.com/index.php