Advertise on podcast: The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

Description

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming explores what it really takes to swim well and safely, in open water. Hosted by endurance swimming coach and sport scientist Grant Landers, the podcast brings together swimmer stories, coaching insights, and evidence-based science to unpack performance, preparation, and decision-making in unpredictable environments. Each episode features conversations with open water swimmers, triathletes, coaches, and researchers, covering topics such as training alongside work and family life, adapting to conditions, managing uncertainty, and learning from both success and setbacks. The podcast is informed by Grant’s work coaching endurance swimmers and triathletes, as well as his research at the University of Western Australia, but it’s intended for the broader open water swimming community. Whether you’re preparing for your first open water event or refining your performance at the endurance end of the sport, this is where swimmers, science, and the sea converge.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming podcast

Gaby Villa: Nutrition, Fuelling and Feeding in the Water

2026/02/02

Sports nutritionist and triathlete Gaby Villa joins the podcast to discuss nutrition for long open water swims, with a focus on fuelling strategies and the practical realities of feeding in the water during events like the Rottnest Channel Swim. Gaby shares common mistakes swimmers make, how to plan and practise nutrition, and why effective fuelling needs to be individualised. Learn more about Gaby’s work at: https://www.intenseatfit.com/

Prof Scott Draper: Ocean Science, Waves and Channel Swims

2026/01/26

In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Scott Draper, an experienced Channel swimmer and ocean scientist, to explore how waves influence swimmers and how route optimisation can improve both performance and safety during Channel swims. link to the route optimisation website: https://www.rcs.optiswim.com/

April Mobsby: From team to solo: progression, confidence, and reflection.

2026/01/19

In this episode of The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming, I’m joined by April Mobsby to discuss her progression from a team swim to a duo, and now preparation for a solo Rottnest Channel crossing. We explore confidence, reflection, pacing, and what it means to learn to trust your body as the distances increase.

Tyson Landers: Open Water Swimming, Resilience, and the Long Way Around

2026/01/12

In this episode, Tyson Landers shares his journey into open water swimming, the challenges that shaped him along the way, and what he’s learned about resilience, preparation, and embracing the longer path when conditions and life don’t go to plan.

Episode 1: Why This Podcast — Stories, Science, and Open Water

2026/01/09

Episode 1 is live. This podcast isn’t about training plans or race results. It’s about the people, decisions, and experiences that shape open water swims and what we can learn from them. In this short episode, I explain why I wanted to start these conversations and what to expect from future episodes. If there’s someone you think I should talk to on the podcast, let me know.

Podcast Trailer

2026/01/05

A short introduction to The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming — exploring what it really takes to swim well and safely in open water, where experience, preparation, and science meet.