BRUCKNER CHASE OCEAN POSITIVE, INC is a non-profit corporation (501c3 Status Pending) that was created to positively impact how others feel, think and act towards the oceans and natural waters around them.
To positively impact how we feel, think and act towards our oceans
- We use open water swimming and training as a vehicle to empower youth as community leaders, lifeguards and mentors.
- We undertake solo, ultra-distance ocean adventures to show the intimate connection one can embrace with the ocean environment and to inspire individuals and communities to take action in addressing the challenges facing the natural waters and ecosystems we all share.
- We develop and implement educational, outreach and action programs with businesses, service groups, schools and communities around the world focused on marine conservation and aquatic safety issues.
On August 24, 2010, at 4:00 AM, surrounded by a community of supporters, Bruckner Chase embarked on a 25-mile marathon swim to connect Santa Cruz to Monterey while also connecting those on land with the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Those twenty-five miles developed into an epic fourteen-hour journey during which Bruckner encountered everything from massive jellyfish to blue whales, fog and white-capped swells, the moonset over the sea and the sunrise over the mountains. The swim was a test of physical and emotional fortitude and became a means to forge an emotional tie between the communities surrounding the Sanctuary and the fascinating adventures taking place just beyond the shore.
Bruckner has partnered with National Marine Sanctuaries to call the public’s attention to these special places. But it’s a vast ocean out there, and in an effort to broaden his reach, Bruckner formed Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc, a non-profit corporation focused on expanding Bruckner’s mission to positively impact how we feel, think and act towards our oceans. Ocean Positive, Inc. utilizes extreme ocean endurance adventures and unique aquatic initiatives to allow us all to discover and embrace a personal connection to our oceans. (501c3 filed and pending)
In the spring of 2011 Bruckner was a named a member of the technical advisory team to Special Olympics International for the inaugural 1,500-meter open water swim at the Special Olympics World Games in Athens, Greece. He is now a special advisor assisting with the global program and coaching development of open water swimming within the Special Olympics sports program.
In May of 2011 Bruckner completed an historic first crossing from Aunu’u Island to Pago Pago Harbor in American Samoa, and as a result of that experience he has formed a long-term relationship with the people of American Samoa. Now an honorary chief, Uila o le Sami, Bruckner, at the Governor’s request, has developed the Bruckner Chase Toa o le Tai youth ocean heroes program to improve the ocean swimming proficiency and conservation awareness of the Territory’s youth. In December the American Samoa Department of Education partnered with Bruckner to also create a class at Samoana High School, Ocean Swimming/Ocean Sciences, based on the design of the Toa o le Tai program.
Bruckner and his wife ended 2011 being awarded a Community Services Block Grant from the American Samoa Department of Commerce to create the Bruckner Chase Toa o le Tai Youth Ocean Heroes program, and in December they received one of the prestigious National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Hollings Grants for a 2012 project, 2 Samoas/1 Ocean which will include swims in both Samoas and the production of a documentary film highlighting the unique historical and cultural connection that American Samoa and Western Samoa share with our oceans.
When not in Ocean City, NJ Bruckner can be found at Utulei Beach in American Samoa or somewhere else in the big blue exploring the connection with the oceans we all share.
Board of Directors and Advisors
Bruckner has swum in open water venues around the world from Alaska to Greece and from Monterey Bay to South Jersey, but no body of water has affected him and his wife Michelle to the degree that American Samoa has. In May of this year Bruckner joined with the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary to help connect the people of American Samoa to the ocean as he experiences it as a marathon swimmer, and the swim from Aunu'u to Utulei became a vehicle to encourage others to discover their own connection to the ocean. Bruckner's drive to positively impact how we all feel, think and act towards the waters around us has now led him to a permanent partnership with the American Samoa Department of Commerce, the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the community of American Samoa. Our global health and well being are intertwined with the health of the oceans, and Bruckner believes that American Samoa is a special place that has the opportunity to show the world how to honor that connection and inspire other communities and cultures to become stewards of the waters around them. Bruckner is the President and Founder of Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc. In addition to being an accomplished marathon swimmer he is a public speaker and writer. Prior to taking on the full time role as an athlete and ocean ambassador Bruckner was project manager and director of store development for companies such as Abercrombie and Fitch and West Marine.
Michelle Evans-Chase is by profession a social researcher who specializes in field research and program evaluation. She is currently a PhD Candidate in the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania where her focus is the design and evaluation of programs for adolescents incarcerated in the juvenile justice system. Ms. Evans-Chase has received research awards from the National Institutes of Justice, the Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and most recently was nominated for an international scholar award from the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). Ms. Evans-Chase is also an avid ocean athlete who spends much of her free time swimming, surfing and paddle boarding off of the coast of New Jersey, activities she encourages others to try by taking them out and providing them a safe place to learn. She has accompanied her husband on every long-distance swim, serving as his coach during the swim along with managing the boat and related swim logistics. She has also been known to jump in and swim the final leg alongside Bruckner.
Paul Chetirkin: Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc. - Independent Advisor: Director/Videographer and Creative Director
Paul Chetirkin helps to spread the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries' message by producing outreach videos. As a certified NOAA Working Diver, and underwater videographer, his job takes him to many interesting places above and below the surface. As Multimedia Coordinator, he works with NMSP staff on a range of products highlighting the diverse work at the Sanctuary Program. Paul was born in San Francisco and has lived primarily in Florida and California. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in History & Russian Studies from the University of Central Florida and a Master's Degree in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. His focus was on coral reef biodiversity studies and marine protected areas. Paul grew up tide pooling along Monterey Bay's coast, volunteering at the Florida Keys Sanctuary, and diving for many years in the Monterey and Keys Sanctuaries. Prior to coming to the National Marine Sanctuary Program, Paul worked in non-profit for animal and environmental awareness.
Elizabeth F. Casey, Esq.: Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc. - Board Member
Paul Elizabeth F. Casey is an attorney with the Briggs Law Office in Marmora, NJ, concentrating in commercial litigation. Liz currently sits on the Boards of the Ocean City C-Cerpants swim team, Upper Township Soccer Association, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in addition to sitting on the Board of Bruckner Chase Ocean Positive, Inc. Ms Casey is also an open water swimmer who can be found competing in events throughout South Jersey.
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Exploring and Inspiring Our Connection to the Oceans
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