Look Who it Was Random video

The Journey of Will Tant and Nautica

3,932 views · Published 14 September 2011 · 2:11 · Indexed 26 September 2026

Channel: Nautica · 2011 · Entertainment

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Last October, Nautica came to my hometown of Flagler Beach, Florida to cover The Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic for the Nautica Ocean To Ocean Tour. Tommy,my brother, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in 1998 from an aortic aneurysm, a result of what we later learned was Marfan Syndrome.

The Tommy Tant event was magical, as it always is - the whole community comes together - and we were honored to have it profiled for the Nautica Ocean To Ocean campaign. Then, by getting to know the people who work at Nautica and inviting them in to what is a very private sort of memorial event, a beautiful relationship grew. I got to know many of the people at Nautica, including the President, Karen Murray. An unbelievable story unfolded right in front of us. It turns out that Karen Murray and her family have been greatly affected by Marfan Syndrome. It almost cost her son's life - he had to go through open heart surgery at a young age, surgery that removes any weak pressure points in the aorta to prevent bursting. My mom was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome and went through open heartsurgery a year ago today. I will eventually have to have surgery too.It was pretty special to have Nautica cover my brother's memorial event last year, and it's exciting to have Nautica become a lead sponsor for this year's event. Now, to be a part of the Nautica family and be photographed for the campaign, and to able to join forces and fight Marfan Syndrome and other related aortic aneurysm disease - it's just special. I couldn't have written the script, and it's so much better because it couldn't be written. It just sort of unfolded in front of us.  - WILL TANT

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