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TOP FIN: Tales of Courage and Chaos from a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer
Master Chief Darell Gelakoska wasn’t supposed to be there. At forty-three, decades older than the kids beside him, he marched back into Navy Rescue Swimmer School to prove that courage doesn’t retire with age. What followed was a test of grit, humility, and relentless determination that defined a legacy.
Top Fin pulls you straight into the unforgiving world of Coast Guard rescue swimmers—the elite few who leap from helicopters into raging seas, knowing the line between life and death can come down to seconds. Through hurricanes, shipwrecks, and helicopter crashes, these stories reveal not only the danger of the missions but the humor, chaos, and raw humanity of those who answer the call.
This isn’t just a memoir of rescues. It’s the journey of a man who helped shape the future of lifesaving itself. From sleepless nights on storm-tossed decks to the creation of the Advanced Rescue Swimmer School, Gelakoska’s story shows how experience, innovation, and stubborn willpower transformed training for generations to come.
Told with cinematic detail, gallows humor, and unflinching honesty, Top Fin is equal parts history and adrenaline—perfect for fans of military nonfiction.
Step into the cabin. Hear the rotors thunder. Watch the cabin door slide open to the storm. This is what it means to be Top Fin.
Top Fin pulls you straight into the unforgiving world of Coast Guard rescue swimmers—the elite few who leap from helicopters into raging seas, knowing the line between life and death can come down to seconds. Through hurricanes, shipwrecks, and helicopter crashes, these stories reveal not only the danger of the missions but the humor, chaos, and raw humanity of those who answer the call.
This isn’t just a memoir of rescues. It’s the journey of a man who helped shape the future of lifesaving itself. From sleepless nights on storm-tossed decks to the creation of the Advanced Rescue Swimmer School, Gelakoska’s story shows how experience, innovation, and stubborn willpower transformed training for generations to come.
Told with cinematic detail, gallows humor, and unflinching honesty, Top Fin is equal parts history and adrenaline—perfect for fans of military nonfiction.
Step into the cabin. Hear the rotors thunder. Watch the cabin door slide open to the storm. This is what it means to be Top Fin.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 22, 2025
3.5 stars
December 22, 2025
What an absolute legend. Great stories. It is hard to look pass the formatting errors and lack of timeline. But I'm glad these stories are documented.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews