Research has shown that keeping active, being creative, and doing things that you love leads to a healthy, fulfilling, long life.
And if research needs any shining example of its conclusions, scientists need not look any further than Aart Looye in western Canada. The 69-year-old swimming coach, born in the Netherlands, not only leads is president of Masters Swimming British Columbia and a fitness instructor, but he also serves as the event chairman of the White Rock Spirit of Sea Festival and race director of the Crescent Beach Triathlon. He also coaches soccer, referees ice hockey, and manages a number of Rotary fundraising events – all with a great big smile and warm heart.
“What a great guy he is with a wonderful outlook,” says Pam Lazzarotto. “He is politically active and I just did a cycle class with him…but he taught it!”
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.