SwimSwam Podcast: Aaron Peirsol Breaks Down The Super Suit Era

On SwimSwam Podcast, we’re giving you an in-depth listen at all things swimming. Host Coleman Hodges welcomes guests and guest co-hosts alike to get perspective on our ever-changing swimming universe and break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with world-record holder Aaron Peirsol, who is currently quarantining in Virginia. We spoke with Aaron about the past, present, and future of swimming, in terms of the sport itself as well as swimming as a business. Peirsol shared his experience of being a professional during the “super suit” era, and his thoughts on what they brought to the sport both in and out of the pool.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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cynthia curran
4 years ago

Let’s put it this way, Perisol would have stayed in Texas if he had to live in places like Santa Ana or Riverside. Austin is better than those cities. Mel is never honest about Southern California. Most folks dumped it for Nevada, Arizona, or Texas because of housing costs and the fact that some cities in Ca are not that great.

THEO
4 years ago

that guy can talk! Regarding the supersuits, my thought was always that they had both pros and cons. Pros: (1) it was fun to watch! Watching people fly through the water at record speeds is fun. period. (2) more monetary investment into the sport, as Piersol said.

But the cons list is longer in my opinion:
(1) more expensive – which is mostly harmless for pros, but created some pretty awful dynamics at youth, high school, and even collegiate levels. I remember a parent at a rival high school buying the whole team BlueSeventy’s… I mean why allow that to be a thing
(2) Takes emphasis away from the swimmer and the swimming itself. I remember in ’09… Read more »

Bobo Gigi
4 years ago

I’ve always been a fan of Peirsol. Great guy. Greatest backstroker ever on the men’s side. Legend.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Bobo Gigi
4 years ago

agreed , that guy shines brightness & joy in life

Woke Stasi
4 years ago

Great, great stuff. Many good insights about the role of sponsors, and FINA needing an occasional two-by-four to the head. I met Piersol at the post-Trials/pre-Olympic camp in 2004. I told him that he was by far the most articulate and personable of all the swimmers (he must’ve been all of 21 then). He was very easy to talk to. I sure wish he’d have come to Palo Alto for his college career.

Reply to  Woke Stasi
4 years ago

Aaron’s an artist, loves design, surfing…and he’s got the 7 gold medals. Also, being an investor in Alamo Drafthouse is impressive. The one he invested in is less than a mile from my house. I’m there 4 days a week – precovid. See it here – https://drafthouse.com/austin/theater/slaughter-lane )

Lpman
4 years ago

I know time ran out, but was hoping for more swimming content. Some questions I was pondering…

Is he still lifeguarding at all?

What was it like being on the MR that got MP his 8th gold?

How about that brief 2004 Olympic DQ that was overturned?

Reply to  Lpman
4 years ago

Aaron is coming back, and we’ll swim nerd when he does. Great questions!

Lpman
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
4 years ago

Most excellent

Aquatics
4 years ago

Great podcast and Aaron has some fantastic insights, but would have loved to have heard how he ended up quarantining with Coach Roach in Virginia.

Reply to  Aquatics
4 years ago

Coleman did a separate podcast with Jack. I’m sure they covered it. (Asking Coleman now…)

Pvdh
4 years ago

Aaron Piersol is a dreamboat….I mean nice video

Reply to  Pvdh
4 years ago

ahhhh……………….ha!

Xman
Reply to  Pvdh
4 years ago

Shoot

RenéDescartes
Reply to  Pvdh
4 years ago

Not only is he a dreamboat, but he’s pretty good at building boats too.

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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