A while ago I asked for some assistance in contacting members of the Naval Special Warfare community for the purpose of doing a feature for our website that showcases thier training for their unique mission and its relationship to triathlons.
The Naval Special Warfare Center hosts the Superfrog Triathlon at Naval Amphibious Base (N.A.B.) Coronado on September 22nd and I’m excited to say I’ll be there as a participant and to soak in the ambiance of the NSW center and do some research.
I’ve also had conversations in person with members of SBT 20 from the East Coast and watched an incredible video presentation thay had showing them parachuting an 11 meter rigid inflatable boat into the ocean. Incredible. The video actually showed a SEAL free-falling and clearing a minor parachute malfunction. Once in the water the SEALs had to swim nearly a half mile in full equipment to rig their 11 meter R.I.B. for travel. The level of fitness these guys have to maintain to do their jobs is incredible. I also spoke with a fellow who is a 10 year veteran of Naval Special Warfare and an old-school frogman.
Thanks for the hook-ups and resources guys. Look for our feature on the Superfrog Triathlon and Naval Special Warfare after September 22nd on our website.
Well, us SoCal-ians may finally get to meet the infamous Tom Demerly! I’ll be doing my second Superfrog. Tom, practice your sand running! Look forward to hopefully meeting you there.
Very cool Tom, NAB Coronado is a nice base. IF you have some free time talk someone into getting you on to NAS North Island, the airbase at the other end of the Island. Not sure how security is now a days, but the carriers dock there. Good place to grab a glimpse of the fighter and bomber squadrons.
SEALs (and any of the other SOF dudes) are incredible. Its hard to fathom the level of mental toughness of anybody who can get through Hell Week. I have also heard stories of SEALs doing pull ups from the top of the 350’ towers at US Army Jump School at Ft Benning.
When I was in Airborne school at Ft. Benning I can recall there were about four Navy SEALs who had come from BUDs in our class. These guys got up *before *first formation at Ariborne school and did their own additional P.T. because apparently our Army P.T. wasn’t enough for them.
I don’t think they ever even broke a sweat during Airborne school. We thought it was hard. They thought it was a vacation.
That is an excellent suggestion. The problem with this whole project is two weeks before I’ll be trying to fake my way through Ironman Wisconsin so even doing Superfrog will amount to a rather leisurely affair at best for me.
When I was stationed at NAB, we used to use the BUD/S obstacle course for PT, and we worked the crew up the BUD/S Warning order workout. The end state was a typical workout week that included 6 mile runs 5 days a week, 75min continuous non stop swims 4-5 days a week, and the following PT M/W/F:
655 sit-ups
400 push ups
300 dips
60 pull ups
And that workout was what they used as a starting point to make sure you would be in good enough shape just to start BUD/S and not get hurt.