By Tamas Mondovics
More than 150 swimmers braved the chilly waters of Tampa Bay on Sunday, January 13, to take part in the fourth annual Frogman Swim, a 5K open water swim event benefiting the Navy SEAL Foundation, which supports the families of the SEALs.
According to U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 of Brandon Public Affairs Officer, George Papabeis, the swim was launched from Gandy beach in St. Petersburg and finished at Picnic Island in Tampa.
“It is an event that helps build national awareness of the Naval Special Warfare community, and the members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 were once again there to make sure if the event’s success” Papabeis said, adding that the auxiliary supported the event with a number of vessels by keeping traffic away from the swimmers.
The endurance swim is conducted every year in order to build national awareness of the Naval Special Warfare community and acts as a fundraiser for the Navy Seal Foundation.
This year honorees included Navy SEAL Glen Doherty, who was among four killed in the Benghazi attack.
The Frogman Swim began four years ago to raise money for Lt. Dan Cnossen, a SEAL who lost both his legs in Afghanistan to an IED explosion, in 2009.
Since its inception, the event has grown in interest and participation leading to the raising of more than $100,000.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 Brandon will hold a one-day boating safety class at its building at J.C. Handley Park, 3006 S. Kings Ave., Brandon on Saturday, January 19, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. For information, call 644-2894 (say “public education”) or go to www.cgaux74.org<http://www.cgaux74.org/>
For boating classes in an area other that Brandon, go to http://cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php
