Recently Kelsey Gray became the youngest swimmer to complete the Big Island of Hawaii’s Triple Crown Race. Kelsey swims with the Kona Dolphins and took time to share some of her passion for swimming and open water swimming.
SS: How long have you been swimming?
KG: That’s a good question. I started swimming with Kona Dolphin swim club on my 5th birthday! So 2 years. But my mom started me swimming when I was one.
SS: What’s your favorite event?
KG: I LOVE doing 100 breast.
SS: What’s it like to swim in Hawaii?
KG:It’s fun to swim in Hawaii! The water is warm sometimes, and cold sometimes. If we do ocean practice we get to see lots of fish.
SS: How did you get interested in open water swimming?
KG: Sometimes our community pool is closed for furlough days. So our team goes down to the pier to practice. I’ve seen the Iron Man lots of times. It’s fun that we get to practice where they swim.
SS: Did you see any interesting fish during your swim?
KG: There’s always lots and lots of fish, urchins, manta rays, puffer fish, and sometimes even dolphins and honu’s too, (that’s a sea turtle)!
SS: What was it like swimming with all of the adults?
KG: It’s fun swimming with the adults, because I can learn from them. It’s also a little scary because they are bigger and faster then me. But I always try to catch up with them.
SS: Do you have plans to do more open water swims?
KG: YES!!! We starting the Triple Crown next weekend with the Cinco DeMayo race. I hope to beat my time from last year.
SS: What grade are you in school?
KG: Right now I’m in 2nd grade.
SS: What’s your favorite thing about open water swimming.
KG: Everything I already said
SS: What advice would you give to other young swimmers who might be thinking of trying an open water swim?
KG: Come on and do it! Ocean racing is the BEST! It doesn’t matter how small you are, I know, I’m small! There’s always great water safety people to help if you need it. And when you’re done, you feel so great running out of the water to get your time. And everyone cheering you on!
SS: Thanks Kelsey – you’re an inspiration. Keep having fun and stay safe out there!