Paul was born and raised in good old Happy Valley, Utah. He has 5 siblings and 19 nieces and nephews. As a young child he was introduced to dance and gymnastics and performed in many dance recitals and gymnastics exhibitions, "with my mom in the audience at each and everyone" he says. His involvement in aquatics didn’t happen until late in his teens, he explains:

As at Provo High School, I was convinced by one of my good friends to join the diving team. After many days of non stop harassing, I reluctantly went and fell in love with the sport of diving. It was a way that I could use my grace from dance and tumbling abilities from gymnastics in a sport that did not take a lot of strength or money (not to mention the boys in speedo's). I went to the state championships and placed 15th as a freshman, 8th sophomore and 2nd place both junior/senior year.

I joined U.S.A. Junior diving some time in my sophomore year and qualified for the Regional and Zone Championships every year up until I aged up to the Senior Diving level. I continued diving and tried to qualify for that elusive National Championships, but was unsuccessful.

Paul helped coach an age group team at the University of Utah for 4 years until he decided to take a break from swimming and diving completely until one day a good friend dragged him kicking and screaming to a swimming practice called QUAC. Paul explains:

Yes I know its hard to believe that it took my ADD, OCD, Ritalin deprived good friend Aaron Butler (bless his heart) months of persuading (not to mention fondling) to get me to my first QUAC practice. When I arrived I was welcomed by a warm and energetic (and good looking) person, Doug, who also happened to be the Head Coach at the time.

"I soon after became completely submerged in QUAC. I volunteered for anything and everything; Aqua Aid, Pride parade, men's health summit, pink flamingo, basically anything that Doug needed I was more then happy to participate in. QUAC is like my oxygen, every time I go it is like it fills my lunges with fresh air. Over years of being a member of QUAC, I feel like have gained much more in my life that I could ever repay to QUAC or anyone associate with this wonderful organization. My goal, along with the other board members and fellow QUACers, is to continue this great tradition which is QUAC, and that QUAC will do for others as it has done for me. Provide a fun and safe place where they can feel comfortable being themselves while enjoying a great exercise and meeting wonderful people.

Paul can be seen in the pool or on the deck at most practices including diving practices held twice a week at the University of Utah.