Kamau is a Jersey-born NYU student studying African & Africana Studies, Cinema Studies, and Music Studies. Though he hails from across the Hudson, Kamau’s history with swimming actually began in New York, getting his start with the Long-Island based Nu-Finmen and Village of Hempstead swim teams at the age of six. After leaving the teams in 2011 Kamau returned to New Jersey and joined Cougar Aquatics Team in 2012, and then Somerset Hills YMCA in 2014. In addition to club swimming, Kamau was an integral part of his middle school and high school swimming and water polo teams, being voted captain of both teams his senior year. To date, Kamau has several honors and accolades from his high school swimming career, including All-American awards and a New Jersey state record as a member of the 200 Freestyle Relay. Despite these achievements, Kamau was terrified of the water as a child, and was not eager to compete initially. (At his first swim meet he cried and refused to dive off the block!) He understands the pool can be a scary place and hopes to instill a love of the water in all of his students. Though Kamau has bid competitive swimming farewell, he’s excited to pass on everything he’s learned about swimming to the next generation of swimmers.