Meet Aaron Walz: Odyssey Open Water Swimming Swimmer Profile
“Open water swimming has taught me to stay calm, enjoy the slowness, overcome the chop and currents... life skills, really.” - Aaron Walz
There are lessons to be learned from any activity, including our outdoor activity of choice -- open water swimming. Aaron Walz, an audio designer and music composer for games, was born in San Francisco and raised in Marin. He considers himself new to open water adventures, and a testament to the fact that “anyone can pick up a new passion anytime.” Aaron is a tennis player first, but started to dive deeper into swimming after a painful foot injury (dropped metatarsal).
“During a staycation and on a quest to fulfill bucket list items, I rented a wetsuit from Sports Basement and started swimming at Aquatic Park and Crissy Field,” says Aaron. “I fell in love with this activity and it quickly became at least a once-a-week ritual, which I especially love to do before sunset,” he continues.
We recently interviewed Aaron to learn more about his journey as an open water swimmer, why he swims with Odyssey Open Water Swimming, and get his advice for fellow swimmers.
Aaron is a passionate tennis player who has always loved the water. “I was at the pool as a kid most summer days, then at the beach and in the ocean,” says Aaron. “I never thought of myself as a strong swimmer, just a lover of the water.” Aaron later took swim lessons to get more confident in the water before his first sprint triathlon in Marin.
Swim of a Lifetime
The best swim of Aaron’s life was when he first swam at Aquatic Park in San Francisco.
“The sunset on one side, and the lights of Ghirardelli on the other. The lovely chill of the water. Being a part of a new community of open water swimmers. The feeling of my feet in the squishy sand towards the shore. Knowing that I'd found something new that I really enjoyed and connected with. And that feeling of accomplishment after pushing yourself to do something scary and new.”
Looking ahead at future swims Aaron would like to participate in, he is aiming to join Odyssey for an Alcatraz swim this summer or fall. Odyssey is planning three Alcatraz swims in 2020; June 13, August 8, October 24. Learn more about upcoming Alcatraz swims here.
Open Water Swimming Tips from Aaron Walz
Although Aaron still considers himself a novice in terms of open water swimming, he’s learned a lot, and has plenty to share with other open water swimmers. Tips from Aaron include:
● Wear body glide on your neck.
● Bring a plastic bag along for your wetsuit and other wet items.
● Wear a speedo under your wetsuit so that it isn't too challenging to change in a parking lot without getting naked.
● Put your wetsuit on under some warm clothes before you leave for a swim in winter - that way when you arrive you don't have to struggle in the cold and also you are toasty warm and can't wait to be chilly.
● Wear a neoprene cap and swim cap pulled over it and over your ears to avoid vertigo without having to use earplugs.
● Keep your key or zipcard in your wetsuit bootie. Or use a large floating swim buoy and make sure it is really inflated.
Swimming with Odyssey Open Water Swimming
Aaron has joined Odyssey on a number of weekly swims in Berkeley. “I have really enjoyed doing Odyssey's swims,” says Aaron. “Totally worth going over the bridge on a Sunday morning and starting my day right.” Aaron adds that because of the group, “I now feel extremely comfortable in the open water, even on a challenging day.”
Asked what Aaron looks for in a company to swim with, Aaron states, “Consistency, value, variety, tips, community, connection, location, times, safety, good response time, and of course, buoy selfie and other postings!” We try our best to deliver all of this and more Aaron, thanks for swimming with us!