I write you from a small hotel in a South Australian city called Geelong, a quaint little beach town, suburb to Melbourne and surrounding a harbor. The U.S. Swim team and I have been here for about two days and have been getting to know the area a little bit in the midst of adjusting to the time change.

Today, a small group of us will be driving down the Great Ocean Road taking in Australia's version of our Pacific Coast Highway in California. I'm hoping to see some waves at Bell's Beach, but unfortunately I might not be able to get in...national team honor code and all. Our meet, World Championships, starts the 25th of this month and I might as well hold off that itch for another couple of weeks; I'll bring my boardshorts just in case I crack.

On another, perhaps more important note, I'm elated to be writing this blog for Race for the Oceans, and hopefully adding to Oceana's cause. They've already done so much and it would be my pleasure to contribute as much as I can to saving our oceans and adding to their efforts. I pledge that I will do my part in spreading awareness in our endeavor, an endeavor that affects everyone, not just those directly involved. I hope that everyone out there reading this will join in with me to help our cause.

Thank You,
Aaron