ABOUT ANGELA
For much of her life, Angela Lee did not consider herself a swimmer. She discovered open water swimming unexpectedly in 2012 while filming a triathlon start in Maine for the documentary From Fat to Finish Line, which she directed. As the swimmers dolphined into the ocean at sunrise, Angela felt something awaken, a pull toward the water that was impossible to ignore.
Like many adult-onset triathletes, Angela confused knowing how to “not drown” with knowing how to swim. For nearly seven years, she approached races in survival mode, terrified of waves and relying on seasonal swim coaching just to get through the swim leg. It wasn’t until the pandemic closed gyms that everything shifted. Swimming regularly in the ocean with her Saturday One With the Ocean group brought a sense of calm and normalcy during an uncertain time, and the ocean became a place of grounding rather than fear.
During those years, Angela also began kayaking to support friends training for channel swims. Through a mutual friend, she met Sidney Russell, then a volunteer coach with One With the Ocean, and drove to San Diego to kayak for Sidney’s eight‑hour training swim ahead of her first channel crossing. Since then, Angela has kayaked for more than 100 swimmers in Southern California, supporting training and marathon swims including multiple Catalina and Santa Barbara Channel crossings. Eventually, the pull to swim herself became undeniable. Working with Sidney, Angela completed her first marathon swims in 2023 — Around Coronado Island and from Anacapa Island to Oxnard across the Santa Barbara Channel.
Beyond open water swimming, Angela has completed seven 70.3 triathlons and countless sprint and Olympic‑distance races. In 2022, she was the USA Triathlon National Olympic Distance Champion in the Athena 55+ age group. A USAT Level 1 triathlon coach since 2018, Angela specializes in beginners, Athenas, and women entering endurance sports later in life. While studying corrective exercise through NASM, she experienced a pivotal realization that led her and Sidney to begin developing The Form Fix Project, launching on Swim Open Waters in February 2026.
When she’s not in the water, Angela can be found jogging with her foster dogs or working to increase ocean access for underserved youth through One With the Ocean’s Play in the Waves program, where she serves as Executive Director. Her work, both in and out of the water, reflects the same values she brings to Swim Open Waters: curiosity, inclusion, resilience, and a deep respect for the ocean as a place of growth and connection.
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NASM Nutrition and Sports Nutrition Coach
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NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
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USMS Level 1 Masters Coach
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USAT Level 1 Triathlon Coach
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CPR/AED and First Aid
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Safesport
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Catalina Channel Swimming Federation Official Observer
Certifications
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Seven-time 70.3 Triathlon Finisher
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USAT Age Group National Champion Olympic Distance - 2022
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Alcatraz Swim - February 2022
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Around Coronado Island - April 2023
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Santa Barbara Channel (Anacapa) - July 2023
Accomplishments
Ocean Ease
100
One‑on‑one supportive swim session designed to help swimmers overcome fear, build confidence, navigate waves, and feel calm and capable in the ocean. LA and San Diego only.
Valid for 3 months
Nutrition Coaching
100
Every month
Nutrition coaching that optimizes macros for training, favors real food fueling, and helps athletes with sensitive stomachs train and race comfortably.
Valid until canceled
Endurance Fueling Strategy Session
100
One‑time nutrition strategy call tailored to your event or training, with age‑smart macros, real‑food fueling, and sensitive‑stomach support.
Valid for 3 months
COACHING SERVICES
OTHER SERVICES (BY INQUIRY)
Crew Chief
Comprehensive logistical and on-water support for long-distance and marathon swims. This role may include swim planning, safety coordination, feeding strategy support, communication with pilots or escorts, and day-of swim oversight to help athletes execute their swim safely and efficiently.
One - One Triathlon Coaching
Limited slots available for fully individualized support tailored to each athlete’s goals, schedule, and life context.
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Sprint, Olympic & 70.3 Focus
Coaching exclusively for short‑ and middle‑distance triathlon—no full Ironman training. -
Specialized Focus
Specialized approach for athletes who started later, are returning after time away, or need to revise their training as they age. -
Smarter, Sustainable Training
Emphasis on quality over volume to reduce injury risk and support long‑term consistency. -
Beginner‑Friendly & Confidence‑Building
Supportive coaching style for athletes new to triathlon or rebuilding confidence. -
Accountability & Adaptability
Ongoing plan adjustments based on progress, feedback, and real‑life demands.
Kayak Support
Marathon swim kayak support providing on‑water safety, guidance, and consistency for long‑distance open water training and events. Support provided by an experienced open‑water paddler who understands the unique demands of marathon swimming and works closely with the swimmer to ensure a safe, focused, and well‑executed swim. Kayak support is tailored to the swimmer’s goals, conditions, and swim plan, offering both practical assistance and steady presence throughout the swim.
Functional Swim Training
On‑land swim coaching is designed to support stronger, more efficient swimming by addressing what happens outside the water. Through swim‑specific strength training, mobility work, and breath control, this coaching helps swimmers move better, generate power more efficiently, and maintain form under fatigue.
Rather than generic dryland workouts, sessions are intentionally built to complement your swimming, improving joint stability, range of motion, and breathing patterns that directly translate to the water. The goal is not more work, but smarter preparation: reducing injury risk, improving body awareness, and creating a more connected, relaxed stroke. This coaching is for swimmers looking to enhance performance, support longevity, and feel stronger and more efficient every time they swim.