Quick strokes cut through the water as freshman Thomas Tarantola zips from end to end of the pool.
Water or land, Tarantola spends his days training for the 16th annual Tampa Bay Swim Marathon — a 24-mile swim stretching from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Tampa.
“I try to visualize what my goal is, what I’m going to encounter and how to overcome that,” Tarantola said. “With that mental set, I’ll be prepared to swim in the bay.”
Tarantola spends three to five days a week training at St. Petersburg Aquatics or practicing with the intramural swim program at USF Tampa, swimming more than 5,000 yards in each session. Time spent out of the water is used to train at the USFSP fitness center.
“It’s going to be choppy and there is going to be wind,” Tarantola said.
To prepare for the resistance anticipated in the bay, he has been swimming with drag and a drag suit to increase friction.
Tarantola has been a swimmer since high school. His older sister, who insisted he attend tryouts, piqued his interest. However, his appreciation for swimming was not instant.
“It wasn’t my thing,” he said, explaining that he’d been more comfortable with the running and movement of lacrosse. But on second attempt, Tarantola bonded with the water, going on to win the district championship in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle for Matanzas High in Palm Coast. Despite knee and shoulder surgeries, he ranked 25th in the state.
Participating in the Tampa Bay Swim Marathon will not be cheap. Entry fees are $1,500, not including gear. Tarantola is seeking funds to compete, having raised $300 in contributions so far with help from fellow students. He hopes to gain sponsorship from the university.
“It isn’t just a race where I’m just swimming this and it’s only for me,” Tarantola said. “I’m representing everyone who works at and attends USF. I know that I’m representing them, so I know I’ll have the motivation to win this race. Not just complete it, win it.”
Assuming the necessary funds are raised, Tarantola will hit the water on April 20 from 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. He envisions the USF “U” embroidered on his suit.
