Catching Up With Chloe Sutton

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 11. WITH just more than a week to go before USA Swimming's 10K Open Water World Championship Trials, SwimmingWorldMagazine.com caught up with budding open water superstar Chloe Sutton. The 15-year-old gives our readers some insights into some of the recent changes in her life, as well as her thoughts heading into the event held Oct. 20-21 in Miromar, Fla. She also talks about heading to Long Beach this weekend to attend the Green Port Fest, which is a part of the Oceana movement backed by Aaron Peirsol.

How has your training been since competing in Indianapolis at U.S. Nationals?
My training has been going really well. Coach [Bill] Rose took us to the Olympic Training Center for two weeks. Then, when we returned we were still in intense training. We did more than 100,000 meters last week, which was crazy. But, I feel like everything he does helps me and makes me stronger in every way.

With you having recently changed your training base to Mission Viejo, what are your thoughts about Coach Rose so far?
I absolutely love him! His practices are everything I could ask for, primarily freestyle, which I love. They are nice and hard. So, I feel accomplished afterwards, while at the same time they are fun and exciting. Also, he's so funny. He's a type of coach that's hard to find. He's goofy, and at the same time, you respect him and want to do everything you can to perform well for him. I really feel like he's the best possible coach for me right now.

We know that your family is finally back together with your parents moving to California after your father David's stint at the Pentagon as an Air Force Colonel. How are you transitioning back to being a single-home family again?
Trust me, it hasn't been hard at all! It's like we were never separated. It's everything I could ask for and more. My brother, Colin, and I are closer than ever. It's actually his birthday today! Also, my personal chef/limo driver/best friend and I do everything together. That's my mom, Wendy, by the way. My dad, David, has a bit of a tough drive to his work everyday, but he says it's worth it to be close to us again.

How are you feeling going into the U.S. Open Water Trials, being held Oct. 20-21 in Miromar, Fla.?
I'm so excited. I feel stronger than ever! I'm going with a great and very supportive group who will also help strengthen me while we're there. I'm a little nervous, seeing as this is such an important competition. But, a little bit of nerves never hurt anyone. I know that I've done everything I can to be prepared for this. So, all that's left is getting there and having some fun!

Are you doing anything special to get ready for Trials?
As far as training, we're working really hard and Coach Rose is very good at keeping us on our toes. We'll also play little games that resemble open water races during practice. My mom and I are really work hard at putting the right fuel in my body. We make sure I have the right amount of everything in my system. But, other than that, I'm trying to treat it as just another competition.

This weekend, you seem to be taking a bit of a mental-health break with an event in Long Beach. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
Well I'm going down to Long Beach for the Green Port Fest to support keeping our oceans healthy. I just want to learn a lot about what they're doing, because I love the ocean and I want to do everything I can to preserve it and all that live there.

That is the organization that Aaron Peirsol supports. So, what do you think about helping out Aaron by showing up? Also, what do you think about Aaron's desire to use swimming to impact his own causes?
Well, I don't know how much I could help Aaron out. I really just plan on showing up as any other 15 year old who loves the ocean and wants to support the cause. I think it's great that Aaron is using his success in swimming and his love for the ocean towards such a very important cause.

With you still being a relative rookie in open water swimming as you are in your second year in the sport, what one lesson have you learned the most that you would advise other aspiring open water swimmers to remember?
I would want every aspiring open water swimmer to be sure that you learn something new in every race. With all the variables in open water swimming, every race is a learning opportunity. Use it help you do that much better in your next race.

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