Episodes

Dec 4

Update on Season 5 and the bonus material that will be on offer for subscribers... very excited to share all the episodes with you all.

Jul 18

This second bonus episode is with the legendary Ger Kennedy. Ger was the overall captain and organiser of this mad and beautiful idea to put two five person relay teams together to swim the English Channel on a very cold winter day in January 2024. With the sea temperature around 7 degrees and air temp around 2 degrees, both teams set off in earnest, having done weeks of cold water preparation... I loved this chat as it is about ten people pushing the envelope of what is possible in winter swimming. Enjoy!!

Jun 11

In January of 2024 two teams of five swimmers set off to become the first winter relays to swim the English Channel. With the air temperature at 2 degrees and the water around 7 degrees, the men's team were successful in 14 hours and 45 minutes. Each team member swimming at least three one hour rotations in just their trunks, goggles and swim hat, as per EC Swimming rules. Sadly, the women's team had to abort due to a boat malfunction: that being said, while the boat was stationary and the crew were attempting to remove the issue, the women's team had to tread water alongside the bobbing vessel: again as per the hourly swim rotation rules. This event was some of the most extreme cold water swimming I have ever seen, and I was lucky enough to chat to two of the men's team... this episode is with one of the most humble swimmers you are ever likely to meet: Lee Johnson.

Feb 21

The final episode of Season Four is with a young man who has written himself firmly into the record books. Brian Foster, the 16 year old who in 2024 became the first man (second person) to swim the North Channel Double and also becoming then youngest ever soloist in the process. His double took him a remarkable 24 hours and 50 minutes... He also swam the English Channel and Catalina in preparation for this remarkable achievement. We chat all things Sandy Cove, swimming proper sets in the sea all year round and generally what makes this young man so special. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube, the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that saves your skin and protects our oceans.

Feb 14

Today’s guest is with a former GBR elite athlete, who was originally a 400 IM swimmer, turned 10km OW swimmer. She talks very openly and candidly about her struggles with competing at the highest level of the sport, recovering form injury and also an eating disorder which very nearly took her out of the sport altogether. Once she had hung up her goggles from the sport, she decided to swim the English Channel, after also completing the Straights of Gibraltar swim. As you do. This is a wonderful chat and it was my honour to speak to Amber Keegan… Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Feb 7

Episode ten of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast, is with Paul de Waard. Originally from the Netherlands, he now resides in a corner of Ireland where very cold open water swimming is the norm for a large community of swimmers. Sandy Cove has become synonymous with a hardcore group of Irish swimmers, who train throughout the year - swimming lap after lap (one lap is roughly a mile). A former competitive swimmer, he has completed the gnarly 34.5km North Channel - battling yet more cold and the infamous Lionsmane Jellyfish along the way. But perhaps most inspiring is what led him to this corner of the globe after heroically trying to help a person in distress… and recovering from the ensuing gunshot wound. Season four is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that saves your skin and protects our oceans.

Jan 31

Episode 9 of Season 4 is with Halani Moss-Vete who is originally from Hawaii, and swam the English Channel in 2022. Her home waters were calling for her and she swam the 26 miles of the Molokai Channel in 2024; battling currents and jellyfish along the way in a staggering 29 hour swim. The currents themselves, while a huge obstacle, actually made her land somewhere special at the end of the swim, in familiar waters... it was like the ocean knew as you'll find out in the podcast. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Jan 24

Episode 8 with the extraordinary Jonty Warneken. Jonty beautifully takes us through his journey as a Para-marathon Swimmer and Ice Swimmer. Dubbed "the first disabled Ice Miler", Jonty has completed some incredible swims including the 65km Round Jersey Swim, Windermere Solo and the first disabled relay to team to swim the North Channel. Jonty is a Guinness World Record holder for Para distance Ice Swimming and is a Vice President of IISA and global board member. He is Co Chair of the Ice Swimming Hall of Fame. It was such a pleasure to chat to him. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Jan 17

Episode 7 is with the lovely Emma France. Emma runs the famous DCT group and has been instrumental in helping heaps of swimmers achieve their goals of swimming The English Channel. An Accomplished swimmer herself with three solos and twenty EC relays shew knows her onions... Was a pleasure chatting to someone with such a wealth of experience to share. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube, the Ocean friendly anti-chafing skin cream that saves your skin and protects our oceans.

Jan 10

The legendary Phillip Rush joins me for episode six... He had an illustrious career as an elite athlete and in 1987 he famously swam a three way of the English Channel: on that swim he broke 5 world records. He still holds the fastest two and three way crossings; his two way was a staggering 16hrs and 10mins (7.55 / 8.15) and his three way was 28hrs and 21mins. He now coaches and mentors many a marathon swimmer in his native New Zealand.

Jan 3

Episode 5 of Season 4 is with the amazing Amy Ennion. Among her achievements are Lake Geneva (28 hours), the English Channel, Guernsey to France (becoming the first person to ever swim that route) and she is not done yet with more swims planned for 2025. We chat about training, mind-set and the importance of keeping the fun in swimming. Season 4 is in collaboration wit Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Dec 27, 2024

Episode 4 of is with the one and only Neil Gilson: fresh from his record breaking 72km Lake Geneva swim, which he swam in a staggering 22hrs and 9mins. We chat about how he trained for such a long and fast swim, and how his delayed success on that swim got him over the finish line. eason 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans.

Dec 20, 2024

Episode three of the podcast is with the youngest ever English Channel Swimmer, who swam the Channel in 1988 aged 11. A record he will have ad infinitum as the rules now stipulate that a swimmer must be over sixteen years old... His story is immortalised in his book "Boy in the Water", an incredibly moving coming-of-age story about his relationship with his coach and how he prepared for this swim so young. This was such a delight to record: a wonderful chat... enjoy. Season 4 is in collaboration with Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Dec 13, 2024

Episode 2 of Season 4 is with a remarkable Australian swimmer, who in 2024 became the first person to swim the 77km from Italy to Albania, crossing that channel in a staggering 33 hours. She also became took the mantle of "earliest female Channel Swimmer" in the same year, making the crossing in early June, on D Day, in fact, in some very chilly water... Hope you enjoy. Season 4 is in collaboration wit Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Dec 6, 2024

Excited to bring you the opening episode of Season 4 with Team GB's Hector Pardoe, fresh from his fantastic sixth place in THAT 10km swim... we chat about training and what it's like being at the sharp end of the sport. He's a remarkable athlete with a very bright future ahead of him. I hope you enjoy. Season 4 is in collaboration wit Ocean Lube the ocean-friendly anti-chafing skin cream that protects your skin and saves our oceans...

Sep 13, 2024

Bonus Episode! Sarah Thomas came to Sea Lanes in July 2024 for an interview in front of a live audience, hosted by me. It was such an honour to be able to speak to her face to face and hear first-hand her story and her recent epic swim around Maui... Apologies for the sound during the interview, I think you'll forgive me as it's a really great chat. I had the microphone placed next to a speaker and it's ever so slightly distorted. Happy Swimming and enjoy!

Mar 25, 2023

The final episode of Season 3 is with the Triple Crown and Original Triple Crown Swimmer, Martyn Webster. Martyn has completed numerous marathon swims over his illustrious time in the sport and is someone I am about to share a swimming holiday with in a matter of weeks... It was great to close the season chatting to someone who knows so much and had a plethora of knowledge to impart! Enjoy!

Mar 18, 2023

Today’s guest is one of the nicest guys you are ever likely to come across in the world of Marathon Swimming… a former top elite swimmer who ended up taking a little time away form the sport entirely; when he returned he embarked on his marathon swimming journey - he won the famous 25km Rottnest Swim in Australia, and then decided that he would aim to complete the famous Ocean 7 in one calendar year… for those who might not know, the Ocean7 is a set of seven ultra marathon swims across the globe, which are The English Channel, The North Channel, Gibraltar Strait, Catalina Channel, Molokai Channel, Cook Strait and the Tsugaru Strait … they vary from 44km to 16km in distance and really only a handful of people have completed all seven (21 so far, as of March 2023). He broke the British Record with his English Channel swim last year in 8 hours and very recently broke the World Record for the 26km Cook Strait in a staggering 4 hours 33mins… I was thrilled to welcome to the podcast Andy Donaldson…

Mar 11, 2023

I have been wanting to record today’s guest for quite some time… about 18 months ago I developed a shoulder issue outside of the pool which prevented me from swimming. Having never had any issues with my shoulders before in the pool and also having booked Jersey Solo and English Channel Swim attempts, I needed to fix it properly. I found a place many a Sussex-based swimmer has found solace before and he is a bit of local legend in getting broken swimmers back into the water. He is himself a swimmer and surfer and of course an Osteopath and Physiotherapist… It was terrific to welcome to the podcast Mark Andrews! Happy Swimming!

Mar 4, 2023

My guest today is a former elite swimmer - having held Danish and Nordic Records in the pool and representing Denmark at various European and World championships over the years; but you may know him more from a new brand of goggle that is being seen more and more on pool-side: he launched The Magic 5 with his business partner a few years ago and they are going from strength to strength - a custom bespoke moulded goggle that fits your face and your face alone. It was my pleasure to welcome to the podcast and hear his swim story: Niklas Hedegaard… Happy Swimming!!

Feb 25, 2023

Episode 8 is with the super human Kate Steels. Kate is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most skilled OW swimmers on the planet. She was the third person to complete the Ice Seven (an ice mile on all seven continents); she is also a Triple Crown Swimmer and was WOWSA Woman of the Year 2021, and nominated again in 2022... Kate has overcome a number of devastating significant challenges in her life and yet continues to be a trailblazer in the sport. It was a real privilege to have her own the show. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Happy Swimming!

Feb 18, 2023

I loved talking to today’s guest - she is an author, editor and podcaster. She co-hosts the "Postcards From Midlife" podcast and her first book 'Mum what's wrong with you: 101 things only the mothers of teenage girls know" was a Sunday Times top 10 best seller. She is a former editor of Cosmo, ELLE and Sunday Times Style and a mum of four children aged 10 to 19. She is currently writing a new book about the experiences of women in midlife… and she is an avid swimmer and cold water dipper; and as you’ll see, uses the water as part of her mental health tool-kit. It was a great privilege to chat to Lorraine Candy. Enjoy!

Feb 11, 2023

Today’s guest is a bit of a legend in the English Channel Swimming Community. A runner, who still professes that he isn’t a swimmer despite successfully crossing The English Channel (twice), Jersey to France, Round Jersey, Windermere and Lake Zurich among other significant swims… He also completed his first successful crossing of The English Channel on his seventh attempt: talk about perseverance!! He regularly gives talks about his swimming experiences to aspirational marathon swimmers… It was an honour and privilege to speak to Cliff Golding. Enjoy!

Feb 4, 2023

Episode 5 is with the incredibly inspirational Jessica Hepburn. This was such an awesome chat and I really don't want to give too much away on here. Jessica is an author ("In Pursuit of Motherhood" and "21 Miles") ... She is a Channel Swimmer and her swim story is a thing of beauty, that resonated with me on a very personal level. Enjoy!!

Jan 28, 2023

Episode four of Season three is with the awesome Mark Sheridan. Mark came to outdoor swimming later in life and then proceeded to break the door down with his marathon swimming feats. Among his multitude of achievements he is one of only a few people to have completed the entire British Long Distance Swimming Association calendar; he is a triple crown swimmer (including three EC crossings) and he became the first British athlete to complete a 69 km crossing of Lake Geneva, taking 33 hours 6 minutes and in doing so joined the 24-hour Club in July 2016… a swim he received the Diamond Jubilee Special Award for. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did recording it...! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-sheridan9 http://reminiscencesofalongdistanceswimmer.blogspot.com/?m=1

Jan 21, 2023

I so enjoyed this talk with the legendary Steven Munatones: he has written about the sport since the 60’s and is one of the most influential people in the world of Open Water Swimming. He founded the World Open Water Swimming Association, the Oceans Seven and is a marathon swimmer, water polo player, commentator, race director, coach and recent winner of the annual SCAR race held in Arizona (more of that anon in the chat). He needs no introduction to anyone connected to the sport. It’s an honour to welcome him onto the show. Enjoy!!

Jan 14, 2023

Episode Two of Season Three is with fellow podcaster and marathon swimmer Shannon Keegan. Shannon is the host of the awesome "Marathon Swim Stories" so it was terrific to be able to interview her as opposed to her asking all the questions! Shannon is also a swim coach and has completed a gruelling 22 hour lake swim... I hope you enjoy this one! Happy Swimming!

Jan 7, 2023

Season 3 kicks off with the truly excellent Professor Greg Whyte O.B.E. Greg is a passionate OW Swimmer - having swam the length of the Thames: TWICE... He is a double Olympian; he won European bronze and World Championship silver medals, representing Great Britain in the Modern Pentathlon. He is a world renowned sport scientist and Physical Activity Expert and is a preeminent authority on Exercise Physiology and Sports and Exercise. I so enjoyed this chat and it was a fab way to kick start the new season. Enjoy and Happy Swimming!!

Aug 27, 2022

Bonus Episode for the final time off the back of Season 2... I caught up with Sally to ask her about her recent historic Channel Swim, which means she has crossed the Channel in every decade of her life from teens to now (six); obviously including her historic double crossing in 2016. She is an utter inspiration and I was thrilled she was able to come on and share her experience - all for charity in memory of her dear late husband Charlie, please find the link to donate here: https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/entry/23279

May 28, 2022

Season 2 Bonus Episode!! I had the pleasure of speaking to Sally Minty-Gravett (M.B.E.), who this year is embarking on her sixth decade of solo Channel Swimming, having swam The English Channel in her previous five decades. She is the oldest person to have completed a double English channel solo, and has swam Catalina, Manhattan and much much more... she has a long list of swimming achievements, and was inducted into the Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame as a result. Enjoy!! Sally is swimming The English Channel (again!) in August and is raising money for Jersey Lifeboat Association & Dementia Jersey, in memory of her dear husband Charlie, here is the link as promised: https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/entry/232791 If anyone is interested in hearing my swimming story then I was interviewed on Marathon Swim Stories here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/marathon-swim-stories/id1516104108?i=1000561523457 https://marathonswimstories.com/will-ellis/

Mar 19, 2022

It's the final episode of the season and what better way to close it than with one of the most well known marathon swimmers, Chloe McCardel. Chloe has swam The English Channel 44 times, surmounting Alison Streeter's record last year, in 2021 (those swims included a triple crossing and three double crossings!!) She also holds the record for the longest Ocean Swim at 124km in 42 hours, and is a total inspiration. It's Chloe McCardel!!

Mar 12, 2022

Episode 11 of Season 2 is the one and only Thomas Lurz... a total hero of mine and I was honoured that I got to be able to speak to him. He has won a staggering 39 medals at Europeans / Worlds and Olympic Races. He is by far and away the most decorated Open Water Swimmer of all time, and certainly one of the most decorated swimmers of all time. We chat about not living in the past; the fact that every race starts at point zero and a fear of Catfish... Enjoy!!

Mar 5, 2022

It's Episode 10 of Season 2, and I have the brilliant Caroline Saxon to share with you. She is a former GB swimmer turned GB Ice Swimmer... in fact, after we recorded this podcast she went to the Ice Swimming World Champs in Poland where she won medals and broke records. She has her own podcast "The Swimmer Tribe Podcast", where she may air this chat too. We talk about the Journey rather than the goal: "Becoming is better than Being", swimming being the glue that holds some relationships together and Cold Water Swimming being part of a larger toolkit for mental health. Enjoy...!

Feb 26, 2022

Episode 9 of Season 2 is with the awesome Ray Gibbs of "Swim Canary Wharf" Fame... Ray set up his coaching facility in response to watching GB swimmers swim at his local club and the lack of really concise technique coaching available to swimmers - especially distance swimmers. As a swim coach he teaches a whole range of swimmers and top athletes, and also competes as a distance swimmer himself. We chat about never regretting a swim, how fear can help you . . . and also the Posidonia 10km race in Ibiza which Ray swam in 2021, where he got stung a staggering 37 times by jellyfish: a race I will be swimming with Ray in 2022, so it was awesome to pick his brains about my most feared stretch of water anywhere in the world (as well as ask him the 6 questions!). Enjoy.

Feb 19, 2022

Episode 8 (S2) of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast, with Will Ellis... today's guest is known as "The Adaptive Athlete", having lost full use of her legs in a cycling accident on her way to swim training as a triathlete. Not to be deterred, she began swimming again and recently completed a double Windermere crossing (similar distance to The English Channel). She also is a force advocating change in our sport to make Open Water abets more inclusive, and there are some important conversations that need to happen, which hopefully will result in action being taken by organisers really soon... This chat was absolutely riveting and I have deliberately left it virtually unabridged in the edit as it was beautifully rich in content. Welcome to the podcast Sophie Etheridge!

Feb 12, 2022

Episode 7 (Season 2) of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" and it was a real treat to chat to everyone's favourite editor Jonny Cowie. We chat about Cold Water Swimming being a bit daft, getting your fix behind Dulwich Picture Gallery, Windermere in the winter and lots of other things... Loved this one: Enjoy!!

Feb 5, 2022

Episode 6 (S2) of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast; and it was my pleasure to chat to Alice Goodridge... Alice set up Swim Wild in 2018 as a way of sharing her passion for Open Water with those around her. She has tackled the English Channel and is quietly working her way through he cold lochs of the Scottish highlands, where she is now based. I loved this chat as Alice had so much passion for what she does which really shines through. Enjoy...!!

Jan 29, 2022

Episode five of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast and I was honoured to chat to former Navy Seal John Doolittle. John swam The English Channel in memory of his friend Neil Roberts who was the first Seal killed in combat after 911; John continues to raise money for fallen and injured servicemen and their families through swimming. We chat about all sorts on this one including shallow water blackouts, hammerhead breeding grounds and boxing Eagle Rays... a man who has been around the world many times over as a special forces operative, seen it and done it: and what a lovely bloke to top it all off. Enjoy!

Jan 22, 2022

Episode 4 (Season 2) of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast... It was awesome to be able to fire the six questions at The Merthyr Mermaid, Cath Pendleton. This episode was recorded during full lockdown in February 2021 and hearing it back, the episode is full of hope that we might actually get to swim again... one day... Anyway, Cath has a Guinness World record for the furthest northerly swim inside The Antarctic Circle and is on her way to conquering the Ice Seven; which is an Ice Mile on all seven continents. Thank goodness she loves the cold water. She was a wonderful guest, and I hope you enjoy listening to her.

Jan 15, 2022

It's Series 2 Episode 3 of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" with me Will Ellis. I have a professional athlete for you today, and he answers quite beautifully the six questions; he raced on the FINA circuit for a number of years in the marathon 10km event and went to World Championships representing Ireland in that event for the first time. We chat about all sorts on this one, from having your own superpower to the temptations to swim The English Channel (and the temptation to do a fast time): We recorded this exactly a year ago (so in Jan 2021) and he had just recovered from Covid… so I thank him for his patience in being able to hear this one back! I really loved this one - enjoy...

Jan 8, 2022

It’s Episode Two / Season Two of An Open Water Swimmer’s Podcast with me Will Ellis. I’ve got a great chat for you today… My guest for episode this episode is an endurance swimmer, a Churchill Fellow on a mission to improve support for Children after suicide, a swim coach and a really inspiring woman. She took up swimming later in life - deciding to swim the channel with virtually a year’s notice having only ever swam a kilometre before. We talk about swimming through grief, self-worth and loosing consciousness through jelly fish stings. When it came to editing this one, I just couldn’t leave any of it out really, so this is a long one, virtually unabridged… it was so rich in content and really connected with me on many levels and I hope it will you too. Enjoy!

Jan 1, 2022

I got to open Season 2 with this fantastic chat with Colin Hill, one of the most important people in the Open Water Swimming world here in the UK. He set up ChillSwim in 2013 which hosts swims all across the beautiful Lake district; he also worked closely with FINA (world swimming federation) bringing the elite marathon swimming events to Social Media and TV channels. He has a long list of swimming accolades (including dodging blue sharks in Madeira); he was the 1st official UK male ice mile swimmer and is widely recognised as one of the key figures organising the Olympic 10km Marathon Swimming Race to London's Serpentine; and swims, coaches and guides near his home in Ullswater. We recorded this in February 2021 in full lockdown and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did…

Mar 13, 2021

It's Episode 12 of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" . . . this is the final episode of the Season and it was a privilege to be able to speak to Sarah Thomas. Sarah became the first and only person to have completed a four way English Channel crossing in 2019, a swim that took her 54 hours. She also holds the record for the longest unassisted swim: in 2017 she swam the 168.3km across Lake Champlain, in a staggering 67 hours and 16 minutes. Sarah was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2017, shortly after this record breaking achievement; once in remission, not to be deterred, it was then she fulfilled her goal of swimming the four way English Channel. Her accomplishments in ultra marathon swimming are jaw dropping and it was a delight to be able to share this chat with you. She is humble yet superhuman and I am grateful for her time in closing Season One... Enjoy.

Mar 6, 2021

It's Episode 11 of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" . . . it was an absolute joy to be able to chat to DJ, Radio Broadcaster and Wim Hoff devotee, Eddy Temple-Morris. Not only is Eddy a passionate advocate of the sea and all that lives within it, he is also a patron of the charity "My Black Dog"; a charity close to his heart that deals with anyone who needs help with their mental wellbeing. He started Wim Hoff a number of years ago as a way to improve his mental state, and now he is an ardent proponent of its benefits. We chat about swimming pools in Iran, Resveretrol, being chased by Trigger Fish and how the water wants to kill you... allegedly. Enjoy!

Feb 27, 2021

It's Episode ten of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" . . . it was a real treat to be able to speak to Swim Smooth founder Paul Newsome from his base in Perth, Australia. If you are interested in improving your stroke at all, then I can highly recommend Swim Smooth as being able to assist (although you won't have to travel to Perth to do so, I promise). We chatted about winning Manhattan, David Walliams, "Men's Sheds" and Sunday swims with Chris amongst other things... Enjoy!!

Feb 20, 2021

It's Episode nine of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" . . . this week I fire the six questions at all round nice guy Tim Donovan. He's a Triple Crown Swimmer (English Channel / Catalina / Manhattan), having grown up in Perth, Australia. We talk about finishing swims when they go bad, friendship, consistency, doing the things you love and having zero fear... apparently that's a thing! Enjoy...

Feb 13, 2021

Episode eight of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" . . . today's guest is one of the most decorated swimmers of all time having set 233 FINA World Records at Masters Level (33 of which still stand). She was inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame in 2017 and is the author of "The Do Over": her autobiography telling the story of her struggles with addiction while at the same time being a swimming prodigy and Olympic hopeful. Her recovery and subsequent swimming accolades are riveting to read or listen to - both in and out of the pool. She is also a motivational speaker and swimming coach, teaching her 'Faster Freestyle' clinics around the world every year. It made for a compelling and brilliant chat, and I was fortunate enough to have some of her time form her home in Hawaii... Enjoy!

Feb 6, 2021

Episode seven of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" . . . It was so lovely to chat to 'Outdoor Swimmer' magazine founder Simon Griffiths; he is not only a very rapid Masters Swimmer, but has also recently taken up river swimming all year round during the pandemic. He set up the magazine ten years ago in response to the fact that Open Water Swimming was growing at a rate of knots, and ten years later his publication is going from strength to strength. We talk Africa, Google (you'll see) and how to keep rowers happy on the Thames. Enjoy...

Jan 30, 2021

Episode six of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast" ... This episode's guest is a conservationist, surfer, swimmer and all round ocean lover. Tommy Kay is arguably the nicest man you will meet to set up a (cold water) surf brand. He set up his brand 'Finisterre' to marry this love of the sea with everything the brand encompasses. He has never deviated from his core values despite being tempted to do so by big business along his 15 year journey with Finisterre. The romanticism he has with the ocean is lovely to listen to, and his answers to the six questions are quite unique. Enjoy.

Jan 23, 2021

Episode five of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast"... it was such a treat to be able to speak to Jaimie Monahan from her home in NYC. She has completed the 28.5mile swim around Manhattan 27 times, including the only quadruple (in 45hours 24m) - just a few weeks after swimming it seven times in seven days. She is known as the "Queen of Manhattan" as a result. She is also known as the "Queen of the Ice" having become the first person to swim an Ice Mile on all seven continents, including one of the coldest ice miles ever recorded. She’s a Triple Crown Swimmer and in 2019 completed six marathon swims on six continents in 16 days. She's achieved so much - and I don't think she's finished yet! Enjoy...

Jan 16, 2021

Episode four of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast", and it was a delight to be able to interview the wonderful Kath Ferguson. Kath set up "Sea Birds" in 2017 as a Community Interest Company to take people into the water and make swimming accessible to all. Kath's work using the sea as a way to improve both her own and other's mental wellbeing has generated waves of support from all who dive into the "Sea Birds" world ... either in person or via her online blog. The pandemic has only increased the popularity of the community and I was super pleased that she was able to give up her morning dip to speak to me... Enjoy.

Jan 9, 2021

Episode three of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast". I was very lucky to be able to chat to actor, comedian and best selling children's author: David Walliams... We spoke about James Bond's flippers & mask, swimming with Pilot Whales, sea-sick parents, unaffordable houses along the Thames and Sport Relief (among other things). Enjoy...!

Jan 2, 2021

Episode two of "An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast! In this episode I talk to Swim Trek founder, Simon Murie... Simon has travelled much of the world as a swimmer both inside and outside of work. Simon set up Swim Trek in 2003: for swimmers who want to combine a holiday with their love of the open water. We talk Byron, Leander, Ghana, Suez, dodging crocodiles & sharks and swimming across volcanic lakes... As you do.

Dec 22, 2020

Episode one of "An Open Water Swimmer's" Podcast...! In this episode I chat with Olympic Silver Medalist and double world champion Keri-Anne Payne. We talk about South Africa, The Midmar Mile, serendipity, warming up for the Olympic 10km swim in Beijing, Sea Turtles and Swim Coaching. Enjoy...