Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/320028
JUNE / JULY 2014 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 31 perfect recipe for a morning in the water. "It's just you and the water, and all you can hear is the sound of your stroke," Julie says. A typical one-hour workout includes a mile-long swim, simulated races, or intense swim intervals. "There is nothing like training in open water if you want to compete in triathlons or open-water swim events," Julie says. Carin Weinrich, co-president of the WAC Tri/Cycle Club, is a lifelong WAC member and four-year veteran of open-water swim- ming. She took classes as a kid but admits she wasn't a great swimmer. She returned to swimming when she started participat- ing in triathlons. "I could barely swim in the open water when I started out," Carin jokes. Now she competes in numerous triath- lons a year. Carin says the Friday morning workouts deliver essential training, such as sighting—learning to stay on course—that swimmers might not otherwise develop. Benefits aside, there's no getting around the open water's main attraction—the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. "It's a unique experience," Julie says. "Everyone should give it a try." Ali Basye is a Seattle-based freelance writer. MEET KELLY PARR N E W A Q U AT I C S S U P E RV I S O R ANYONE WHO HAS VISITED the WAC pool recently has probably noticed a new face in the Aquatics Supervisor's office. Longtime swimmer and lifeguard Kelly Parr dove into her new position this past March. Kelly came to the WAC from the City of Lynnwood aquatics department, where she worked under former WAC Aquatics Supervisor Chris Klontz. "His recommendation really meant a lot to us," Athletic Programs Manager Darin Barr says. "Kelly brings great energy, and she's already starting to make an impact." We recently caught up with Kelly, who smiled and welcomed us into her poolside office. "The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is getting to spend time working with members, getting to know their fitness goals, and helping them reach those," she said. Kelly started swimming at a young age and competed in the butterfly as a student at Edmonds-Woodway High School. She has spent countless hours as a swim instructor and life- guard and understands that an aquatic environment is often uncomfortable for people, especially when they're starting out. "For a lot of people, they get into this foreign environment and it can be a huge roadblock," she says. She wants to help erase those feelings and replace them with confidence. "I'm really excited about the relationships I'm going to be able to foster here," she says. "I want to get to know each person's story and work with them one-on-one." Kelly replaced Jennifer Mesler, who remains on the WAC staff and will continue to help teach the age-group swim team. TAKES THE HELM AT WAC POOL BY DARRICK MENEKEN, MANAGING EDITOR "It's just you and the water, and all you can hear is the sound of your stroke." –Julie Vieselmeyer I N S E T: A N N A D E L A P A Z