Available to subscribers only until 28th February.

In 2024 Vassos Alexander set his sights on swimming the English Channel. Not one to shy away from a challenge - being an ultra distance runner, he gave himself a matter of months to prepare… he also decided to write a book - journalling his training for the channel and his love and passion for open water swimming. Vassos didn’t quite make the start line on Shakespeare beach - becoming one of 2024’s delayed successes - however, his book is an ode to his delight and and love of all things open water. Of course, his successful day in the English Channel will come in the coming years and I was fortunate enough to get to chat to him in 2025, when his book had been published and he was reflecting on the both the previous years training and the community he threw himself into… such a delight to chat to: Vassos Alexander.

(Available to subscribers only from 14th Feb. Episode free to play 21st Feb).

This episode is sort of the second part to episode 6, the chat with Andy Cornish, as on the same day and exactly the same time, Dani Wallwork set off to also complete the 70km of Lake Geneva. Both swimmers went through some of the most apocryphal conditions I have ever seen at night, and, like Andy, Dani called time on her swim at approximately 17 hours and roughly 55km in. Dani is no stranger to lake swimming, holding the world record for the fastest one way, two way and three way Windermere swim in a wetsuit. She has also completed Lake Zurich, and is fair to say is a rapid swimmer… I loved this episode as although I wasn’t on her boat for her Lake Geneva attempt, I was of course on the water at the same time, so I saw first hand the conditions she had to battle through. I hope you enjoy listening to Dani Wallwork!

(Episode free to play 14th Feb)

This week’s guest is a Channel Swimmer, having also swam the 20 bridges of Manhattan, and Gibraltar - with The Cook Straight on his swim calendar any day now… Some big swims under his belt, and he isn't done yet. He has also forged ahead with a new business that reflects his passion for the water, namely Wildpool Shoes. If you haven’t checked them out, they are well worth a gander for any water lover. We chat about the addictiveness of swimming and trying to combine a business to the hobby we all love and want to do more of… it’s Sami Robertson.

(Available 31st January to subscribers. Episode free to play Saturday 7th February)

I’ve been looking forward to this episode for some time… in July 2025, Andy Cornish swam the 33km of the English Channel. He had been blown out in 2024 rather frustratingly, due to an unlucky combination of weather, pilots retiring and boat malfunctions... He also had booked to swim the 70km of Lake Geneva in 2025: So two huge swims ended up being booked for the same year. I was lucky enough to crew for him on his Lake Geneva undertaking which was an breathtaking experience for everyone involved. Andy hit the most ferocious storm during the night on his 70km attempt which very nearly derailed the entire event: almost zero visibility, lightening, torrential rain and a fierce wind that whipped the lake up into a maelstrom for about seven hours… Andy managed to stick out the storm (and the night) and continue to swim non stop for exactly 24 hours, albeit through very gritted teeth, and landed at Meillerie, just shy of the finish. He had his swim ratified at an amazing 51km and he joined the 24hour club in the process. This is an amazing story of stop start - being on the so-called "Dovercoaster" - and also being content and satiated with the day that mother nature can give you, knowing you gave your all on such a massive lake… I recorded some voice notes throughout the day a few of which I play to Andy on the podcast for the first time… if you listen carefully you can hear him swimming in the back ground… Andrew Cornish everyone!

This lady needs no introduction, having been crowned the greatest competitive open water swimmer of all time. She won three Olympic medals, Gold at Tokyo 2016, Silver at Rio 2020 and then Gold in her final Olympics in that famous 10km in Paris 2024, where the course was challenging to say the least. On top of that she is a double World Champion in the 10km, and has won more medals in the pool and other Open Water distances. She really is the GOAT, and it was my privilege to be able to bring this chat to you… it’s Sharon van Rouwendaal…!

Today’s guest is a remarkable athlete: he completed the Ocean’s Seven in 2019 in a then world record time, and along the way suffered multiple visits to hospital, having been pulled unconscious out of the water twice on the odd delayed success; thanks largely to the tricky and unpredictable waters of the North Channel were he had asphyxia due to jellyfish stings, a collapsed lung and hypothermia. On separate occasions… He swam on the FINA world cup circuit, representing his native Hungary, and among his high number of other very long swims include completing an incredible 80 km crossing of Lake Balaton in 25 hours 32 minutes to join the 24-Hour Club, back in 2008. This man is a machine and an unbelievable swimmer… it’s Attila Manyoki!

Having come to swimming later in life my guest this week is a former top level rower turned Channel Swimmer… she is someone who consistently trains to such high level, churning out very impressive mileage extremely consistently. She swam the English Channel on her second attempt - having had a bizarre delayed success on her first; her determination and grit was wonderful to see. Among her other swims are Old Harry to the Needles, Windermere and Jersey to France… with other swims planned for the foreseeable future. It’s Julia Maguire...

My guest for Episode 2 is an Australian Paralympian, having represented his country as a runner at three Paralympic Games, before transitioning to triathlon in 2022 at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham… being totally blind from birth, he is an extraordinary athlete who has not only climbed Mt Everest to 8,300m, has competed on Dancing with the Stars, and has now taken to marathon swimming. In 2025 he completed the 48km 20 Bridges Round Manhattan swim in 9 hours and 8 minutes and later that same year he wanted to become the first totally blind person to complete the English Channel, having attempted it in 2024… this is the extraordinary (I say that a lot in this episode) Gerrard Gosens.

This first Episode of Season 5 is with a World Record holder who swam the 70km of Lake Geneva in 2024 in a staggering 22 hours and 48 mins... becoming the fastest female ever to do so. Among her other swims are some pretty fast crossings of Lake Windermere and a double crossing of Lake Bala, and she has even ticked off the Scottish Triple Crown in Loch Awe, Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. It's the fabulous Sam Farrow.

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.