The Jetboots Diver Propulsion System was utilized during the first ever 13-day long, 134-mile (215.6km) expedition swim circumnavigating the island of Maui, called Epic Swim Maui!
Throughout the expedition, Sam Young, part of the ESM Expedition Team (Lead Waterman, Safety Coordinator, & Asst. Producer), relied on the Jetboots to navigate, protect, and support the elite swimmers across some of the most unpredictable waters in Hawaii. Outfitted with the Jetboots and a speargun, Sam scanned for and protected the swimmers from any apex predators, as well as kept tabs on unruly currents and eddies. “…the Jetboots became more than just a tool-they were the lifeline of the operation. They allowed me to:...Execute rapid-response safety maneuvers, ensuring no swimmer was ever in danger. Dive as deep as 130ft (39.6m) to collect water samples from different water columns. Outlast a fully fueled jet ski with just four batteries – something I never expected”.
“I successfully circumnavigated the entire island using the (Jet)boots…they unlocked a new level of efficiency, endurance, and safety, making this expedition not only achievable but historic” – Sam Young.
Epic Swim Maui included 15 swimmers from 13 countries (covering 6 continents) spending an average of 6 to 8 hours in the water each day over three weeks, this endeavor is a testament to human perseverance and the spirit of aloha. Epic Swim Maui was a physical and athletic feat, honoring Hawaiian navigators and fostering a deep connection between the athletes, the ocean, and Maui’s cultural legacy with every swimmer working with cultural advisors so they understood their responsibility to the waters and the land. The expedition also contributed to scientific research with the collection of ocean samples at various depths, salinity studies, temperature, currents, and the presence of microplastics and heavy metals. This data contributes to ongoing studies on ocean health, raising awareness of the waters’ fragility, and at the same time, highlighting crucial causes: mental health and youth drowning prevention. Epic Swim Maui is in honor of Duke Kahanamoku, the original waterman.
For more information on Epic Swim Maui: Home | ESM APRIL 24
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