NAME: Julian Vasilkoski

HOMETOWN: Brookline, MA

WHAT’S YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BLS? This is my first time doing BLS, but I volunteered with the land crew for the 2025 event.

WHY DID YOU SIGN UP FOR BLS? I love Boston and I love swimming. When I first learned about BLS I was motivated by the idea of swimming through the Harbor Islands, the history of the event, as well as the challenge, and it quickly made it's way to the top of my bucket list.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? My team will consist of Corey Briggs (Pilot) and my fiancée Amy Azzaro (Crew)

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? The YMCA in West Roxbury, the Curley Community Center, and I got to spend some time in Lake Ohrid in Macedonia.

SWIMMING FUN FACT: I have a very fond memory of (attempting) surfing in San Diego in the middle of January and being joined by a pod of dolphins. Later that day I flew back to Boston where we had 4 feet of snow. Nothing's made me question my choice of residence more than that experience.