Getting to Know FitRec: Cliff Merritt

Not everyone gets to do what they love, Cliff Merritt does though.

Cliff Merritt has been the aquatics manager since December 2015 but has been involved in aquatics since he was 12 years old. Prior to joining FitRec, Cliff has served as Aquatics Program Manager at the Jewish Community Center in San Francisco and spent 9 years as a high school diving coach in his home state of Ohio.

While it was actually his older sister’s swim coach that encouraged him to become more involved in swimming, Cliff’s involvement with Boy Scouts maintained his interest. At fourteen years old Cliff was a lifeguard for Boy Scouts and throughout his years with them he was able to experience various aquatic positions.

Cliff was not only a Boy Scout, but an Eagle Scout too. His experiences scouting played a big role in who he is today and have fueled his love for the fitness and outdoors and created an interest and appreciation for Native American culture. He started off in Boy Scouts at just five years old. As he grew older he became a part of the “Order of the Arrow”, the Scouting’s National Honor Society that provides Boy Scouts with leadership skills and encourages helpfulness and cheerful service. Throughout his time as both an Eagle Scout and a Boy Scout Cliff was awarded the Founder’s Award in the Order of the Arrow, which is awarded for contributing unselfish service. He’s also earned a total of 22 merit badges!

As the aquatics manager Cliff oversees almost everything regarding the pool. He’s in charge of pool management, mentoring swim staff, assists with coaching the Masters Swim program and many other tasks that help the aquatics department. Like many staff members at FitRec, Cliff is an exercise enthusiast. He participates in 1 Ironman and 3-4 triathlons a year and tries to fit in two workouts a day. This year he’ll be participating in his 6th Ironman!

If you’re ever interested in learning more about aquatics or just want to learn more about Cliff don’t hesitate to stop by and say hi!