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…

Just a little promo for Season Two for those of you maybe not following the Social Media channels... S2/E1 will be out on 1/01/22. (Make sure you follow @owswimpod on Instagram and Twitter for all news). Until next year, Happy Swimming. Will

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.

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!

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!

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.

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...