Gay Swim Amsterdam trainer and club member Walt is an enthusiastic swimmer. Apart from the more conventional swimming techniques that he teaches, he also enjoys mermaiding. Walt loves the possibilities of creative expression that mermaiding provides.With his team of fellow merpeople, Walt will give a Love Swim show featuring colourful tails, elegant moves, and strong dolphin kicks.
‘Before I started swimming, ten years ago, I was not so sporty.’ Walt says. ‘But once I entered the water and learned how to swim, I loved it. The water is my element, it is my home, and I would like to encourage others to not be afraid, and try out swimming as well. You know, others too can feel the way that I am feeling in the water - there is no need to be afraid. The water is my home, and its door is open to everyone.’
Due to its varied programme, Love Swim will be a great opportunity for all to see a wide variety of swimming styles - there will be short and long distances, swum in freestyle and breaststroke; mermaiding, synchronised swimming, and a group of trans swimmers with little swimming experience will give a demonstration over a short distance. So Love Swim will be fun to watch even for people who have not registered to swim themselves, or who have not learned yet how to swim. ‘Love Swim’, says Walt, ‘means community. It is important to be next to each other; to have fun, to get to know each other, to connect, to get into the water together. Unity is what it is all about. We are here to see each other and to support each other. We love the water, we love the sport, and we love to form a community and share our joy.’ So no matter if you are a novice in the water or a trained swimmer, do join us at Love Swim to celebrate and enjoy with us!