A good day for a swim?

There is just something about Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training that is, well, photogenic. The grueling, six-month training course at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif., is no vacation at the beach. Mother Nature at times makes it much more interesting. With ocean temperatures in the mid-60s – that’s relatively mild for the Pacific Ocean along Southern California – the chill isn’t as much a worry as the surf itself, as what students with Class 286 encountered during “surf passage” training Oct. 27. It’s known as “surf torture” for good reason. 

Students with BUD/S Class 286 face off against the Pacific during surf passage training Oct. 27 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif.//Navy photo by MC2 Kyle Gahlau

Yesterday was the easy day. Students with BUD/S Class 286 tackle the tides during surf passage training Oct. 27 in Coronado, Calif.//Navy photo by MC2 Kyle Gahlau