Patti Bauernfeind tried earlier this week, but the jellyfish proved too much for her. This did not deter Bruckner Chase, 44, a Santa Cruz native with dreams of conquering Monterey Bay. He simply decided to be more prepared. He started his swim from Seabright Beach early Tuesday morning with just a swimsuit and lanolin to protect him from the chilly 55-degree water. The jellyfish did come—but this time Chase was prepared.
Patti Bauernfeind tried earlier this week.html, but the jellyfish proved too much for her. This did not deter Bruckner Chase, 44, a Santa Cruz native with dreams of conquering Monterey Bay. He simply decided to be more prepared. He started his swim from Seabright Beach early Tuesday morning with just a swimsuit and lanolin to protect him from the chilly 55-degree water. The jellyfish did come—but this time Chase was prepared.
During his attempt last year, Chase ran into the same problem that put an end to Patti Bauernfeind’s attempt: scores of stinging jellyfish. This year, however, he simply put on a wetsuit and was able to avoid the worst of the stings. Hours later, he finally made landing on the shores of Monterey County. He is only the second person to swim across Monterey Bay and the first to do it in 27 years.
Chase swam the Bay to draw attention to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the aquarium’s Seafood Watch program and a new Blue Oceans Film Festival starting today in Monterey. “No matter where we live—East Coast, West Coast, Midwest—we’re connected to this ocean,” he said after emerging from the chilly waters. Some of us, like Bruckner Chase, are connected more than others. Read more at ABC 7.
