Thursday, March 19, 2009

Open Water Swimming with Seals and Michael Phelps

The Navy SEALS (Sea, Air, Land) had some special training partners at their ocean-front facilities yesterday in Coronado, California (near San Diego).

Olympic 10K Marathon swimmer Chloe Sutton and several of her USA Swimming Olympic teammates got to experience some Navy SEAL training. The SEALs specialize in stealth and clandestine military methods of operations.

The day started with a grueling form of dryland training after the soldiers and swimmers showed off their physical capabilities. The groups then did a dangerous and team-building obstacle course where double Olympic gold medalist Megan Jendrick broke her leg and then hit the 58°F Pacific Ocean water for work on rafts in and out of the surf.

Chloe, who was in a small group that included pool swimming superstars Katie Hoff and Michael Phelps, said, "Michael was the team leader and [I] was very impressed with his leadership skills and support. Each challenge was meant to be an intimate team building experience. This was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Sure swimming a two-hour race in the ocean is painful and challenging, especially when you throw in jelly fish or aggressive competitors, but this wasn't swimming and I am grateful for the experience."

Footnote: One of their teammates, double Olympic swimming medalist Larsen Jensen is currently working on becoming a Navy Seal.

2 comments:

jeff said...

"where double Olympic gold medalist Megan Jendrick broke her leg and then hit the 58°F Pacific Ocean water for work on rafts in and out of the surf."

Pretty tough to be doing that with a broken leg...

Steven Munatones said...

We totally agree. We received this information about Megan from one of her teammates, although we did not see other media outlets report it on that day. Perhaps it was a twisted ankle? But people do amazing things when they work out with the SEALS from what I hear.