Advertise on podcast: An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast

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!

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…

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!

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!!

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!

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!

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!

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!!

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

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!!

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!

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!!