NAME: Erica Mertz
HOMETOWN: Stow, MA
BLS EXPERIENCE: Rookie
WHY BLS? I have loved the ocean and swimming ever since I was little. However, I have never really lived in a place that has made combining them together that accessible. Having moved from TN to MA five years ago I'm finally getting the opportunity to experience more ocean swimming. I'm looking forward to my first time at the BLS!
WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? My husband, Peter Mertz, will be my crew and Johnny Walker will be my pilot.
WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? I like to swim in my town's lake, Lake Boone, as well as occasionally make it over to Walden Pond.
SWIMMING FUN FACT: I swam and placed at a USMS Open Water Swim Championship race at 34 weeks pregnant!
ANYTHING ELSE? Though I swam competitively growing up I ended up receiving a scholarship to play D1 lacrosse at UC Berkeley. I've loved the ocean and the animals in it ever since I was little. I got a PADI scuba diving certification as soon as I was old enough and have been scuba diving all around the world. I love to travel internationally and experience new places and people whenever I can. When I'm not swimming I'm chasing around my three kids - an 8 year old and 6 year old twins. As a family we like to ski in the winter and hike, camp, swim, waterski and go to the beach when it starts to get a little warmer out.