Every year, Nick Nite is one of the most important dates on the Reef & Run calendar. The dedicated night was started at Reef & Run in 2014 following the tragic loss of beloved local Nick Johnson, who drowned while working out at just 19 years old.
Money raised in Nick’s name over the years has been donated to provide scholarships and safety training in the local aquatics community.
This year, with the blessing of the Johnson Family, Reef & Run organizers have decided to deliver the funds raised to Collin Bosse, another Santa Barbaran with strong connections to the aquatics community.
Collin was paralyzed in April after jumping into the ocean for a swim. The miscalculated dive in shallow water fractured his spine, and Collin is now in Denver working with specialists to learn how to live with his injuries.
So for this week, we swim not just for Nick Johnson, but we swim for Collin Bosse as well.
The two already share a connection that goes way back. As a young waterman growing up in the Santa Barbara Water Polo Club and Junior Lifeguards programs, Collin was a few years younger than Nick but was inspired by Nick’s senior presence and leadership. Nick showed Collin, and countless others, that hard work, a positive attitude, and helping others can lead to success and happiness.
Additional donations to Collin’s recovery effort can be made on a GoFundMe page, and donations above the $20 registration fee are welcome on Thursday.
Swimmers participating at Nick Nite have helped raise $20,000 since Nick Nite began in 2014.