NAME: Saulo Rozendo
HOMETOWN: Sao Paulo, Brazil
BLS EXPERIENCE and WHY BLS? In 2022 I was asked to be a BLS crew member and was introduced to this fantastic group of people who are passionate about the sport and this event in particular. I admired their journeys, their epic goals: crowns, monsters, long distances, and ice-cold waters. A community that is connected like bodies to a buoy. So in 2023 I was fortunate to be picked as BLS volunteer, and it was a fantastic experience. Not only from the perspective of swimmers and their crew, but also their friends and families, and the staff handling all the logistics of this complex event. I was now part of this community expressing care and enthusiasm for two dozen athletes as they swim thru all conditions to come home. Little did I know that in 2024 it was going to be my turn.
WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? My crew includes open water expert and Collins Cove extraordinaire AMY CRAIGEN, with her positive energy and enthusiasm so important in this event; along with ice swimming prodigy JB LANZA, who successfully completed BLS in 2022 and has been such a good friend swimming together over the years; and emergency-doctor-turned-long-distance-triathlete ERIC GORALNICK, who brings the Navy core values into everything he does. Amy, JB and Eric and their own journeys will inspire me when the water gets calm and cold. I could not have asked for a better pilot. JOE DEITSCH brings his awesome new boat to the course, and he is excited to navigate those waters like a champ.
WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? Early in the season I went to Crystal Lake in Newton and Walden Pond in Concord. Then moved to Pleasure Bay and L Street, the latter with the added benefit of a steam room. JCC pool and Harvard Blodgett pool for those necessary swim drills and video recording sets.
SWIMMING FUN FACT: I was 11 years old, summer vacation at the beach with the family, and I drifted from the shore after many hours playing with the waves and floating. A man on a fishing kayak stopped by and asked my name. I told him I would swim back. A long 45 minutes later, I reached the shore and everyone was crazy nervous that I had gone too far. I told them a fisherman reached out. However, no one had seen or talked to any fisherman. My mother believed it was the divine. My relatives said it was stress. We never went back to that beach.
ANYTHING ELSE? I love this community. People with distinct backgrounds and daily lives, so many interesting stories and exciting and powerful reasons to swim. What a joy to be around every one of you. Swimming is an individual sport, but the most enjoyable part is the friendship. And choppy waters, they are enjoyable too.
