President Nawrocki trains with Polish naval special forces in Gdynia
President Karol Nawrocki visited the elite naval special forces unit JW Formoza in Gdynia on Tuesday evening, joining soldiers for a physical training session that included deadlifts, pushups and boxing drills. He was accompanied by National Security Bureau chief Bartosz Grodecki.
Visit to Formoza
President Karol Nawrocki met with soldiers of the Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza, Poland's elite naval special forces unit based in Gdynia, on Tuesday evening, August 11, 2026. He was accompanied by Bartosz Grodecki, head of the National Security Bureau (BBN). Grodecki wrote on X that together with the president, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, they met Formoza operators during training and observed specialists in maritime special operations conducting tactical exercises.
Grodecki praised the unit's capabilities, stating that Polish Special Forces belong to the world's top tier. He cited their training, experience and ability to act where reaction time, precision and effectiveness matter most. He added that protecting critical infrastructure and countering hybrid threats requires specialised capabilities, and that Formoza demonstrates Poland possesses them.
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Training session
Nawrocki posted a video on social media showing him travelling on a Polish warship and then joining the commandos for a workout. The session began with a warmup incorporating boxing-related movements, followed by pushups and deadlifts with weights. The footage showed the president working with a barbell and engaging in boxing drills alongside the soldiers.
After the training, Nawrocki wrote on his official X account, quoting the unit's motto:
"Trust the sea, it will save you." I thank the soldiers of JW Formoza for concrete talks and an even more concrete training!
The unit's official motto is "Zaufaj morzu, ono cię ocali" (Trust the sea, it will save you). The video also showed commandos chatting with the president and exchanging high-fives after the session. Presidential photographer Mikołaj Bujak also published a photo report from the visit.
Context and reactions
The visit took place on the eve of the christening and launch of ORP Wicher, the first multi-purpose frigate of the Miecznik program, according to one source. JW Formoza, named after General Włodzimierz Potasiński, was formed in 2007 and has been part of the Special Forces since that year. It received its current name in 2011. The unit specialises in combat diver operations, maritime boarding, anti-terrorism and reconnaissance in water, land and air environments. It has deployed to Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea, where its tasks included countering smuggling and human trafficking and enforcing the arms embargo on Libya.
Social media reactions were divided. Some commenters praised the president, writing "great respect, Mr President" and "this is a real president." Others were critical, arguing that training is not a presidential role to be publicly showcased. One commenter pointed out that the SAFE defense spending bill, which Nawrocki vetoed, had allocated funds for modernising and equipping special forces units including Formoza. Another offered unsolicited coaching advice, noting that the president's back was slightly rounded during the deadlift and suggesting he work on posterior chain flexibility and hip mobility.
Nawrocki has long emphasised the role of sport in his life. He trained football in the A-Class, regularly attended Lechia Gdańsk matches, and spent years boxing. Two days before the Formoza visit, on Sunday, August 9, he attended the Tour de Pologne finale in Wieliczka, where he presented the winner's trophy. He has previously published training videos, including sessions with strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski.
