March 10, 2008

Gold Medal Mel: Aaron Peirsol Hot Tubs Sold Here!

Posted by Mel Stewart

Want a signature Aaron Peirsol hot tub? They exist. They make them for the man Surfing Magazine calls “the pimp.”

I can almost hear Peirsol laughing to himself in an unassuming way. Nothing seems to faze this guy, or puff up his ego, not since he turned pro at the tender age of twenty.

Peirsol is a stalwart swimming star, though he’d never tell you himself. He lets his swimming speak for itself; that seven year winning streak in the 200m back and the sub 53 second swim in the 100m back at the 2007 World Championships.

Outside the pool, he’s the same. His life speaks volumes about his character and his artistry. Most people know he’s nearly a semi-pro surfer, but did you know he’s a professional photographer? Interestingly it’s true. His photos are often black and white, compositionally insightful and gorgeous, and more than few will be sold for top dollar at auction. He’s also building a beach bungalow in Costa Rica, where Hollywood insiders are known to hob-nob and relax. Mind you this is no sandbox project either. Town & Country Magazine in addition to other architectural publications want to profile his pad because of its understated beauty.

On the endorsement side there’s Bank of American, Mutual of Omaha, Auro-DRL, Toyota and Nike, but Peirsol’s monetary earnings don’t all flow to him. He channels his success and his time into philanthropy - his passion.

Toyota recently dropped five figures on Oceana, Peirsol’s main charity. He stumps for them, the biggest water conservation organization in the world, with movie stars like Ted Danson. (If you want to support Peirsol, log-on to racefortheoceans.org and put up a few cents for every lap he swims while training toward Beijing.)

In short, two words describe Peirsol: Renaissance man. That’s all that really needs to be said about him.

Or is it?

I would like to know more about the man and the inner-workings of his mind. Thus, I have submitted a questionnaire made famous by “Inside the Actor’s Studio” host James Lipton, though it was first popularized by Marcel Proust, a French novelist and essayist from the nineteenth century.

THE MARCEL PROUST/GOLD MEDAL MEL QUESTIONNAIRE:

Mr. Peirsol, what is your favorite word?
I’d have to say the word ‘will.’ I think it’s because you can use it as both a noun and a verb, and both forms are equally powerful. “I will do it;” or “my will is strong;” or “Will will have the will to include me in his will.”

What is your least favorite word?
“No.” You can’t spell nothing without “no.”

What is your favorite name?
Lilith

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Solitude on a stretch of beach.

What turns you off?
Undue negativity.

What sound or noise do you love?
Uuhhhhh! It highlights both satisfaction and curiosity.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Blah! Nothing good can come of this noise.

What is your favorite curse word?
Oh, that’s easy. It’s got to be “beep.” What’s not to say about this word? Great men from Teddy Roosevelt to my land rover have used this word in many situations.

What is your favorite food?
Ahi tuna seared rare.

What is your favorite drink?
A thick, cold, fruit smoothie.

What is your best virtue?
Patience

What is your favorite quality in a man?
Reserve

What is your favorite quality in a woman?
Strength

What do you appreciate most in a friend?
Respect and understanding.

What is your idea of happiness?
Being around friends and family…

What is your idea of misery?
Working an indoor job from 9-5.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would love to photograph or write for a magazine like National Geographic. What a life!

If not yourself, who would you be?
I respect the way my stepfather has lived his life. I would have no problem being a man like him.

Who is your favorite artist?
Stanley Kubrick. I enjoy how he demands a certain degree effort from the viewer. He doesn’t dumb a film down just so the point comes across clearer.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
Must be Howard Roark from “The Fountainhead.”

Who is your hero in real life?
Tim, my stepfather

Who is your mentor?
He (my stepfather) as well as many others.

Which historical man or woman do you most despise?
Voldemort. I only mention his name in text.

Which historical man or woman do you most admire?
Brutus, he stood against tyranny until the end.

What natural talent (aside from swimming) would you like to be gifted with?
I think everything can be learned.

What is your present state of mind?
Natural Born Killers came on 30 minutes ago, so I’d say skewed.

What is your life’s motto?
Might as well.

If Heaven exist, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Hey man, ’bout time.

And with that, we conclude our interview of Mr. Aaron Peirsol. What questions would you, the reader, like to ask?