Swim Chats

The Z Manu World Champs is now in its third year and is making a splash as a fun water sports event that brings people together. A 'manu' is a v-shaped dive bomb. It has Māori / Pasifika origins and can be performed off a bridge, wharf, diving board, jetty – even off a horse – into any body of deep water, as long as it's done safely. There are qualifying events being held around Aotearoa NZ (and on the Gold Coast) over the summer and the Grand Finals will be held in Auckland in March. Manu World Champs founder Scott Rice came on the podcast to discuss what inspired him to create this event, how they judge the best manu (splash height is important but there's an art to a good manu), and how it celebrates people, communities, and the water. Scott is a former competitive swimmer who also founded the NZ Ocean Swim Series and now runs Ocean Swim Fiji, a 'swimcation' offering three swims across five days (and zero worries). Visit the Z Manu World Champs website Follow the Manu World Champs on Instagram Check out Ocean Swim Fiji * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

It's a Swim Chats festive episode! The seaside town of Felixstowe in the UK hosts an annual Christmas Day Dip to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice. 2025 is the event's 21st year and last Christmas there were 650 intrepid souls who made a winter's dash into the chilly North Sea, dressed in all sorts of festive outfits. The hospice's Events and Challenges manager, James Fox-Golding, came on Swim Chats to talk about the joy of the event, how it's grown over the past 20 years, and its significance as a fundraiser for a service that provides medical attention and support to people with life-limiting illnesses. ​ Learn more about the Felixstowe Christmas Day Dip ​ Make a donation to St Elizabeth Hospice ​Watch That Christmas , a 2024 animated film that closes (no spoilers involved) with a heartwarming community swim! It's on Netflix. Leave a comment below the episode to share your own Christmas swim/dip/plunge traditions. Here in Wellington, I enjoy a wharf jump with friends on Christmas morning. We also have the 'Twelve Bays of Christmas' event organised by Kate Camp, who has her own episode . Photo courtesy of St Elizabeth Hospice * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

It's our final swim history episode of 2025! Featuring special guest, ultramarathon swimmer John Hancock who is back for his third episode to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb's English Channel crossing. We talk about: Captain Webb's astonishing Channel swim in 1875, a feat that hadn't been achieved before and was not repeated by anyone else for more than 30 years. The life story of the Captain – his heroism, his daring escapades, and his tragic final swim. The English Channel's swimming legacy, with facts and figures (mostly cobbled together from Wikipedia and the LongSwims database) and high achievers – including Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the Channel in 1926, and Sarah Thomas, who achieved a quadruple crossing in 2019. How the English Channel compares with the Cook Strait (John has swum the Strait and was on the support boat for Wellington swimmer Rebecca Hollingsworth when she swam the Channel in 2024). Wellington coach Phil Rush's unbeaten records for his double and triple crossings of the Channel in 1987 (Phil also has his own Swim Chats episode ). Captain Paul Boyton, who in 1875 achieved the first 'assisted' crossing of the Channel wearing an inflatable rubber suit of his own design, just a few months before Captain Webb's 'unassisted' swim. Photo: Captain Matthew Webb in the 1870s. A useful source and recommended further reading: Splash! 10,000 Years of Swimming by Howard Means (Allen & Unwin, 2020) Shona will be speaking at the Wild Swimming in Aotearoa: Author Panel event at Newtown Library on November 27. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

If you're an ocean swimmer, you've probably encountered jellyfish at some stage. Depending on the species these watery, tentacled, heartless/ brainless/spineless (literally) invertebrates can dish out a painful sting! Earth Sciences NZ (formerly NIWA) marine scientist Dennis Gordon came on the podcast to answer my questions. In this episode, we talk about: What is the definition of a jellyfish? What are their life stages? How do they move around? How do they still sting people even after they've washed up on the beach? Common species such as moon jellyfish and lion's manes, bluebottles / Portuguese Man O'Wars and box jellyfish – how dangerous are they? What's the best way to treat a painful sting? What are salps and sea lice? Here's a link to the ' Jiggling Jellyfish ' PDF Dennis mentions, with lots of colour photos to learn more and identify the jellyfish we might see in NZ waters. Have a look at some of Ernst Haeckel's beautiful illustrations from his Art Forms in Nature book ( Kunstformen der Natur , 1904). If you spot anything you can't identify on the beach, in rock pools or in the water, you can send a photo to Earth Sciences NZ and an expert can help to solve the mystery (this is a free service and they welcome new photos). Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea rosea) photo by Richard Robertson and supplied by Earth Sciences NZ. This species is the common New Zealand lion's mane (also found in SE Australia). The photo shows the characteristic warty appearance of the top of the bell. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Liana Smith was thriving as a competitive swimmer when chronic back pain led to a diagnosis of a spinal fracture. She underwent a spinal fusion at the age of 17. At the time, it felt to Liana as if her swimming career was over – she was on full bedrest and had a long recovery, both physically and mentally. She spent the next seven years out of the water. Liana was working as a high-country shepherd in Queenstown when she went for a swim with the Southern Lakes Swim Club (SLSC). Realising she could still swim well and enjoyed it – and was fast in the open water – Liana set her sights on NZ's Triple Crown, with the support of swim legend Philip Rush (who has his own Swim Chats episode ). Liana became the eighth person to complete the Triple Crown, is the Crown's fastest female swimmer, and also holds the world record for the fastest-ever Foveaux Strait swim (6h19m). Earlier this year she became the first person to swim without a wetsuit from Kinloch to Queenstown (46km) in the 'fresh' water of Lake Wakatipu. Amazingly, that epic distance wasn't the planned total (she was aiming for a Kingston finish but was thwarted by strong winds) so next summer Liana will tackle the 'full' 74km distance of Lake Wakatipu! For Liana's ultramarathon swims she raises funds for I Am Hope, a charity that supports young people with their mental health. Follow Liana's Instagram page, Swim for Something Learn more about I Am Hope Learn more about the Southern Lakes Swim Club Read about Liana's dip in the remote Lake Unknown (Stuff news article) The photo of Liane was taken by Wayne Martin. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

I watched JAWS as a kid and was subsequently scared to go in the water, just as the movie's tagline promised. Now I swim in the sea regularly and I know a bit more about sharks, but I wanted to talk to an expert. Clinton Duffy grew up with a fascination of sharks after encountering a bronze whaler, and he has spent much of his life and career in the pursuit of knowledge about these sharp-toothed ocean predators (as well as other marine creatures, such as rays). He worked in marine science at DOC and is now a Curator of Marine Biology at Auckland Museum – and there's a very cool exhibition about sharks opening in December. In this episode, we talk about: What to do (and not do) if you're swimming and meet a shark Where (and when) not to swim if you're actively trying to avoid sharks The many and varied species of sharks that live in NZ waters (most of them prefer deep water) The likelihood of being attacked by a shark (hint: it's not high) How shark populations have declined worldwide due to overfishing and habitat destruction Clinton's career as a marine scientist, including tagging and studying great whites (he explains how to tag a shark; definitely a job for the professionals) Clinton's favourite shark: it can walk! The fascinating sharks of the deep sea (here's a link to the Deep-Sea Podcast) How to respect stingrays in the shallows when entering and exiting the water, and how Clinton dealt with a stingray that sat on his head while he was diving. The photo of Clinton holding a tagged school shark was taken by Brit Finucci, Earth Sciences NZ, in Dusky Sound this year. Clinton was assisting Dr Alice Rogers, Victoria University of Wellington, and Dr Finucci tagging broadnose sevengill sharks and school sharks . * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

I had the pleasure of interviewing my swim coach Barbara (Barb) Watson, who has dedicated over 60 years to coaching in Wellington. It was recorded while we sat in her car at Freyberg Beach early on a Wednesday morning, watching the sunrise and drinking coffee. In this episode you'll hear some of Barb's life story and much of it is an oral history of swimming in Wellington, from the early 1950s to today. Barb was always drawn to the water and it ran in the family because her dad, Frank, was an open water swimming champion in the 1920s before he took on coaching and pool management. He worked at many Wellington pools including Karori Pool, Thordon Pool, Riddiford Baths in the Hutt, and Naenae Pool. He also swam in the open-air (and gender-segregated) Te Aro Baths before it was replaced by Freyberg Pool in 1963. Barb was a strong freestyle and butterfly swimmer. She competed in national championships and won the prestigious Annette Kellerman Cup for open water swimming. She trained mainly at Naenae Pool, where her father was the manager, under the coach John Hamilton. She started coaching herself at the age of just 12 and has been coaching more or less ever since. As a solo mum in the 1970s she worked hard to make ends meet and today, as a great-grandmother, she still has a houseful of young people. Barb's coaching philosophy is about enjoyment, accessibility, and community – she teaches us, and also values what we give to her. She has dedicated decades to teaching and mentoring swimmers of all ages and levels, from newcomers scared of the water to ultramarathoners. She coaches at Kilbirnie (WRAC), Cannons Creek, and Te Ngaengae pools, and at Freyberg Beach on Wednesday and Sunday mornings where she gives us a pep talk, looks after our valuables, and provides jet plane lollies after we get out. Barb has been recognised for her services to the community but she doesn't like a fuss, so this is a rare interview. Our full conversation lasted for three hours and included people coming and going to have a swim and collect their gear, so this is the abridged version of 1h15. Grab a cuppa and enjoy. Thanks Barb, for all that you do for us! <3 * Image: Barb handing out jet planes to swimmers at Freyberg Beach. Artwork by Fifi Colston to commemorate Barb's 75th birthday in 2023. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Dan Feisst is a big part of NZ's swim community – he runs the Ocean Swim Series, the Summer Swim Series, the Beach Series, and Swim Vanuatu. He's also a swim coach in Auckland and owns The Swim Shop, which sells gear for pool and open water swimmers. In this episode we talk about: the upcoming 2025–26 NZ Ocean Swim Series : which events are running around the country and when? There are the classics (such as Rangitoto, Beach to Bay in Russell, Legend of the Lake in Rotorua) and some exciting new ones! listening to swimmers' feedback and making adjustments each year – such as introducing a Newbie Tent to support newcomers and nervous swimmers the Beach Series and Summer Swim Series including SwimRun events Dan's own swimming and career path to retail, coaching and event management; what drives him to run these swim events? Dan's annual Swim Vanuatu camp and all the cool places and adventures it entails (I hereby volunteer as Vanuatu podcast correspondent) Dan's Swim Shop on Mt Eden Road in Auckland and online * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Lynne Cox is an American open water swimmer who has set records, and brought people together, around the world. In 1972 at the age of 15 she broke the men's and women's world records when she swam across the English Channel – and she did it again the following year. In 1975 she was the first woman, and fourth person, to swim across New Zealand's Cook Strait (in extremely rough conditions!). In 1987 she swam across the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia during the Cold War – a swim that Reagan and Gorbachev both acknowledged as helping to bridge the divide between the two nations. She was the first person to swim across the Strait of Magellan at the bottom of South America, and also to swim around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. She swam the first 'ice mile' in Antarctica in 2002. Lynne chronicles all of these magnificent swims and many others in her memoir 'Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long Distance Swimmer' (2004). She has written a number of other books too, including the children's books 'Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius' and 'Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas', a true story about an elephant seal that lived in Christchurch's Avon River. Visit Lynne's website to learn more about her swims, her books, and guest speaking appearances. The photo of Lynne with Saki the seal is courtesy of Lynne Cox. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Outdoor Swimmer magazine is the world's only monthly, printed magazine about open water or wild swimming (as far as we know!). It was founded by Simon Griffiths in 2011 and October 2025 is the magazine's 100th issue, edited by Ella Foote who has been Outdoor Swimmer's editor since 2022. Simon and Ella are (unsurprisingly!) very passionate about swimming. They have both written books and accomplished many impressive swims in all sorts of locations. Ella is also a swim coach and provides guided swim experiences through her company, Dip Advisor . In this episode we discuss the highlights and challenges of publishing a swim magazine that celebrates the fun, joy and connections of swimming outdoors, from dipping to ultramarathons, and which includes safety tips and swim gear advice. We also talk about Simon and Ella's own swimming journeys and the importance of swim communities. Visit the Outdoor Swimmer website where you can subscribe to the magazine (they deliver the print version internationally and/or there's a digital option), sign up for their free weekly newsletter The Dip, and read feature articles, gear reviews, and swim tips. Simon's book is ' Swim Wild and Free: A Practical Guide to Swimming Outdoors 365 Days a Year .' (Bloomsbury Sport, 2022) Ella's book is ' How to Wild Swim: What to Know Before Taking the Plunge .' (DK, 2023) Ella's Instagram page Outdoor Swimmer's Instagram page * Support the podcast via ⁠ Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠ ⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Dan Abel is a former competitive swimmer, an ultra-marathon swimmer (including the English Channel and Cook Strait), and the founder of swim company Fit & Abel , which offers pool and open water swim coaching, swim safety and accessibility advice, and 'RealSwim Adventures' in NZ's South Island. With a lifelong history of swimming Dan brings a lot of passion and dedication to his role, with a strong belief in giving people not just technical swim skills but also "environmental confidence" – the ability to enjoy swimming outdoors in nature. In this episode we talk about: Dan's career path including working in the RNZ Air Force, his association with SwimTrek, coaching in a London lido (an unheated outdoor pool), and founding Fit & Abel in 2011. The importance of encouragement, communication, and understanding people's reasons for wanting to swim (or why they might be afraid to swim). Giving people the ability to swim outdoors, connect with nature, form friendships, and have fun. Putting the focus on health and wellbeing – looking after ourselves and other people. Avoiding the 'what next?' swim checklist and enjoying the journey. The power of the language we use when it comes to swimming. Creating a more positive and consistent framework around safe swimming in NZ. Advocating for clean waterways. The books mentioned by Dan: Lynne Cox’s 'Swimming to Antarctica', Terry Laughlin’s 'Total Immersion', 'Plastic Ocean' by Charles Moore, 'A History of Open-Water Marathon Swimming' by Timothy M Johnson, 'Swim Smooth' by Paul Newsome. * Support the podcast via Patreon.com/SwimChats Follow Swim Chats on Instagram Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening!

Sinéad Kehoe is the founder of Wāhine Wai, a dippers' group in Wellington. In this episode we discuss eight swim books we've enjoyed, two swim songs, and two swim films: Lonely Planet's 'The Joy of Wild Swimming ', 2023. Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan, ' Taking the Plunge: The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for Mind, Body and Soul' , 2019, Black & White Publishing. Nina Mingya Powles. ' Small Bodies of Water .' 2021, Canongate Books. Ingrid Horrocks. ' Where We Swim .' 2021, Te Herenga Waka University Press. Annette Lees. ' Swim: a Year of Swimming Outdoors in New Zealand .' 2018, Potton & Burton. Julie Otsuka. ' The Swimmers '. 2022, Penguin. Tracey Baumann and Emma Levy. ' The Swim Mastery Way. ' 2024, InHouse Publishing. Lynne Cox. ' Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer. ' 2004, Harcourt. Louden Wainwright III, ' The Swimming Song '. 1973. R.E.M. ' Nightswimming .' 1992. ' The Swimmer ' (film), 1968. ' Kim Swims ' (documentary), 2017. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

After being diagnosed in 2015 with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a painful inflammatory arthritic condition, Kylie Frost was advised to move her body to keep mobile. She began exercising multiple times a week, then decided she needed a goal. She started entering triathlons and set her sights on IRONMAN NZ (a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run), which she completed in 2021 after six years of building her strength and stamina. The time limit to complete the event was 17 hours and she managed it with 70 seconds to spare, with her support crew cheering her on. Kylie has since qualified as a triathlon coach and founded the Twisted Sisters Club, which helps beginners to achieve their goals – whether it’s a short swim in the sea or entering their first triathlon. As the website puts it: "Our mission is to empower women through sports, assisting them in overcoming any barriers to reach their objectives ... We all progress at our individual pace, celebrating every victory, regardless of its size." In this episode Kylie talks about her diagnosis at age 40, her initial search for a coach who was able to support a beginner with a chronic health condition (she found triathlete Tony O’Hagan, who sadly passed away in 2020), her experience of working towards and completing IRONMAN NZ, becoming a coach herself to support a range of abilities, and the founding of the Twisted Sisters Club and what it offers for women who want to take those first steps (or strokes) in the sea. Twisted Sisters Club website Twisted Sisters Club Facebook page NZ Ocean Swim Community Facebook group * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Susan Sherwin is one of the founders of IISA (International Ice Swimming Association) Aotearoa New Zealand and runs the annual NZ Ice Swimming Championships . An ice swim needs to be in water that's 5°C (41°F) or less, swum only in togs, goggles, a standard cap, and with optional earplugs. Susan is an accomplished ice swimmer herself, having completed two 'extreme' ice miles (2km). She is also one of just a handful of people to have achieved NZ's Triple Crown: Lake Taupō in 2020, Raukawa Moana / Cook Strait in 2021, and Te Ara a Kiwa / Foveaux Strait in 2022 at the age of 61. She now has her eye on Australia's Triple Crown – within two weeks this year she completed the Rottnest Channel Swim (20km) in Western Australia and the Derwent River Big Swim (34km) in Tasmania. In this episode Susan talks about how she returned to swimming in her 40s after having kids, gradually building from a few kilometres to ultramarathons. For her, it's about being in the water, enjoying people and nature, and saying yes to new opportunities. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

It’s a swim literature episode! Featuring John Hancock, who told us the colourful life story of Sir Bernard Freyberg and his wartime swim. This time John and Shona talk about: The “mad, bad and dangerous to know” poet Lord Byron’s 1810 swim across the Dardanelles (formerly the Hellespont, between Europe and Asia). Lord Byron was inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Leander, who swam across the same body of water to his lover Hero’s lantern-lit tower each night. Byron recounted his swim triumph in his poem ‘Don Juan’. The Old English poem Beowulf , whose protagonist spent a week in the freezing Scandinavian ocean, first competing with his childhood friend Breca and then fighting off ‘sea monsters’. Much more recently, British writer Roger Deakin’s series of swims across Britain, captured in his beautiful book Waterlog (1999). Deakin is considered by many to be the founding father of the modern ‘wild swimming’ movement. John and Shona do some readings from the texts above (extra points to John for managing some Old English). John also talks about the book Haunts of the Black Masseur: the Swimmer as Hero by Charles Sprawson (1992). We’re keen to know what you think of this episode! Leave a comment or email swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com. * In the introduction Shona talks about Ben Knight, a Wellington ocean advocate and protector who sadly passed away this month. Over the years Ben worked with Mountains to Sea Wellington and Sustainable Coastlines , which posted a lovely tribute to Ben on Facebook with some conservation figures that demonstrate his incredible legacy. Thank you, Ben. You have inspired many of us. Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Dr Heather Massey is an open water swimmer, a scientist, and a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. As part of her job she researches the physiological effects of cold water, as well as the risks and potential benefits of cold water swimming. What happens to our body when we get into cold water? What’s the 'cold shock response' and what is 'afterdrop'? Who benefits from cold water, how, and why? How do people survive ‘ice swimming’, including in Antarctica? But most importantly, how can people get into cold water and return home safely? Heather’s advice includes: Have a plan for where you’re getting in and out of the water Don’t swim/dip/plunge alone ‘Claw hands’ (stiffness) or loss of coordination are signs that you need to get out asap Warm up quickly with snug clothes and a jacket, a hot drink, and wait a bit before you head home. Cold temperatures can cause a lack of coordination and concentration that may affect biking or driving. Learn more about Heather’s research (and the Extreme Environments Laboratory) on the University of Portsmouth website 'Wild swimming scientist Heather Massey: "Hypothermia is not a pretty sight"'. Guardian article, June 2021 The Outdoor Swimming Society website Water Safety NZ – 'Staying safe' Photo of Heather by Terry Scott * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Wellington Harbourmaster Grant Nalder oversees navigation in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. That involves monitoring the movement of vessels (ships, boats, waka, etc.), managing marker buoys, and also, increasingly, looking out for ocean swimmers. On this episode we talk about: - the role of the Harbourmaster - the importance of swimmers being visible to boats (tow floats are mandatory for swimmers who are more than 200m offshore – see the bylaw details below), and also the need for boaties to be aware of swimmers - the near miss one swimmer, who was new to the area, had with a ferry in 2024 when they inadvertently swam in the shipping channel - the water features enjoyed by swimmers in Oriental Bay (pontoons, buoys, the Carter saltwater fountain , Pt Jerningham Lighthouse) - the pink swim buoys being added to the Oriental Bay swim route – breaking news on the podcast! My favourite tip: strap a whistle to your wrist. It's easier for boats to hear a whistle than if you shout, and you can raise the alarm too if you're in trouble. For questions or thoughts on this episode, leave a comment or email [email protected] You can contact the Wellington Harbourmaster via: [email protected] Greater Wellington 04 384 5708 Harbour radio (urgent) 04 473 4547 Keep up to date with local goings-on via the Wellington Ocean Swimmers Facebook group (public group) Greater Wellington Navigation Bylaws (PDF) –'Swimmers more than 200 metres from shore must tow a bright-coloured safety float or swim buoy and brightly coloured swim cap (if worn), unless accompanied by a support craft.' * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

What a privilege to spend an hour talking to Phil Rush, a coaching and swimming legend. Here are just some of his open water swim achievements: Record holder for the fastest double and triple English Channel crossings (his triple crossing was 28h 21m, 140km, in 1987) Record holder for the fastest double Cook Strait crossings (only one other person has achieved a double) The first person to complete a double crossing of Lake Taupō (in 1985) 10 English Channel crossings and 8 Cook Strait crossings In this episode we talk about how endurance swimming has changed over the years, the importance of mental as well as physical training, monitoring swimmers for hypothermia, working as a team to help people achieve their swim goals, how he swam for more than 24 hours, that crucial final stage of a marathon swim, the buzz of getting swimmers to the other side, and much more. Follow Phil on Instagram * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Kate Camp is a poet, author, and ocean swimmer. She's also the organiser of the annual '9 Bays of Matariki' winter swims and the '12 Bays of Christmas' summer swims. In this episode Kate talks about when and how she started sea swimming, the art of quickly changing out of wet togs into warm clothes, and the importance of the swim community. She also reads a poem called 'Freyberg Carpark' – featuring Graham from episode 10! – from her new book, 'Makeshift Seasons' (Te Herenga Waka University Press, 2025). Follow the Matariki swims (or come if you're in Wellington) via the Facebook event page Buy a copy of Makeshift Seasons from Unity Books Read Kate's article ' Why I won't write about swimming ' on The Spinoff Author photo by Ebony Lamb * This month you can sponsor Shona for The Big Swim (Coastguard NZ fundraiser) : bigswim.org.nz/s-riddell Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Coastguard NZ rescues thousands of Kiwis a year and relies on the dedication of its volunteers, who require training and equipment to save lives on the water. Wellington president of Coastguard NZ (and surf lifesaver) James Groombridge talks about The Big Swim, a month-long fundraiser involving swimmers of all ages and abilities. If you're not swimming, you can sponsor a swimmer! Shona's Big Swim page is bigswim.org.nz/s-riddell . Please sponsor me if you can – all funds go to Coastguard NZ. I'm part of The Tridents and together we're swimming 100km – visit our team page: bigswim.org.nz/the-tridents Learn more about The Big Swim Learn more about Coastguard NZ Visit Volunteering NZ to search volunteer roles around NZ * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Ann Skelly is a Waiheke Island artist who creates beautiful seascapes and landscapes that feature the ocean in all its varying moods: dappled and rippled in the sun, fierce and churning, blue and inviting. Shona talked to Ann at the 2025 NZ Art Show, which runs annually in Wellington over King's Birthday weekend. NZ Art Show website Ann Skelly on Instagram Ann Skelly on Facebook * In June Shona is taking part in Coastguard NZ's The Big Swim – follow and support The Tridents! * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Dr Nicole Miller is a Wellington scuba diver who cares deeply about our underwater kelp forests and marine life. She's the Chair of the Friends of Taputeranga Marine Reserve Trust, the former President of Wellington Underwater Club, and the founder of Explore Your Coast , with the goal of filming 70km of Wellington Harbour, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, and documenting changes to our coastal ecosystems. In this marine conservation episode we talk about giant kelp, octopuses, creative ways of showing people what's below the surface to raise awareness, protecting what we love, and Nicole's new documentary called Seaweed, a Love Story . Watch the trailer for Seaweed, a Love Story and keep up to date with the latest news and events . Nicole is also looking for partners and sponsors to bring the film to different parts of NZ. To find out more, contact her at [email protected]. Visit Explore Your Coast for more about Nicole's project to film and document 70km of Wellington's coastline. Visit Taputeranga Marine Reserve on Wellington's South Coast. Watch a video about kina/sea urchin grazing in Wellington Harbour (2021 and 2022 comparisons), then learn about kelp forest recovery after kina removal and community action. Watch Nicole's TedxWellington talk (2024). * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Graham Joe is the owner of Gelissimo @ Freyberg, an outdoor cafe/kiosk right next to Freyberg Beach in Wellington. It’s a hub for morning swimmers who congregate there for coffee, scones, porridge and toasties. The post-swim conversations I have there every week, over excellent coffee, were the inspiration for this podcast. Graham started getting in the sea a few years ago after an accident left him in pain and unable to run. He found that getting in the cold water helped his recovery so he kept doing it, slowly building in confidence and distance. Now early swims are a staple of his day, all year round. If you're in Wellington, you should definitely check out Gelissimo @ Freyberg! Gelissimo website gelissimo.co.nz Gelissimo on Instagram www.instagram.com/gelissimo_gelato/ Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Brett Richardson is a Wellington swimmer who swam across Cook Strait (Te Moana-o-Raukawa) in 2020 and Foveaux Strait (Te Ara a Kiwa) in 2024. He swims in the ocean year round, often early in the morning – which, in winter, means it’s pitch black in the water (aside from his head torch) from start to finish. In this episode Brett shares how his swimming grew from new-to-ocean-swimming to marathon level, the strategies he incorporates for successful long swims, and the joy of getting in the sea every week – no matter what the weather’s up to. Health and safety note: Brett is a highly experienced ocean swimmer. If you’re new to sea swimming the best advice is to join a local group, start in the warmer months, check the conditions before you get in, and stick close to shore as you grow in confidence and ability. Brett’s YouTube video of his Foveaux Strait swim ‘ After 10 hours, Brett Richardson emerges from Cook Strait hypothermic and victorious ’ (Stuff, November 27 2020) NZ Sports page for Meda McKenzie , who swam Cook Strait at 15 years old in 1978. * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Clarissa Dunn is a Radio New Zealand Concert presenter, a marriage celebrant, an event MC, a soprano, and an ocean swimmer. She swims to connect with her family and with nature, and it also provides a mental break from her busy life. For her episode, Clarissa had the brilliant idea of making an 'ocean music' playlist on Spotify. I'm still embedded in the '90s hard rock era, so this has opened my mind and I can hear the breaking waves and darting fish in the various pieces of music – you can listen to it here: Clarissa's Ocean Playlist . As a radio presenter and classical music aficionado, Clarissa has a beautiful way of describing the light and sounds of the sea. Clarissa's RNZ page Clarissa's Instagram page * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)