Swim Chats

How to save a swimming pool: the Aquadome story

When Wellington’s school pools began disappearing, Steve Hind decided to do something about it. The result was the Aquadome⁠ a thriving community swimming facility that opened in 2018. In 2009, Steve noticed a decline in the number of school pools in the region. Both of his daughters attended Wellington East Girls’ College and there was an unused pool on the grounds. The council pools were busy at peak times, so Steve and Gary Hurring, a former NZ swim champion, decided to restore the college pool. As Steve explains: “It felt like everything just came together. It became obvious to us that we should get it heated, get it covered – at the time it was just a hole in the ground. We set off with very naive ideas of the cost … we pitched it to the school originally as $200,000 but in the end it was over $1.5 million.” The restored, indoor Aquadome opened in 2018 with a warm-water training pool and a 25m heated lap pool with six lanes, as well as new changing rooms and showers. The Wellington Swim Trust oversees the pool to keep it running and it's used by several primary schools, local colleges, and community groups. In this episode Steve explains what compelled him and Gary to take on this massive project, how they raised the money (there was an unexpected donation of UHT milk), how the Trust keeps the pool running, and why it’s so important for kids to have accessible spaces to learn to swim and train for events. Steve’s daughter Tash was a double Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist, while his daughter Georgia has represented NZ in open water swimming and surf lifesaving – both have worked as swim coaches at the Aquadome. Visit the Swim Trust website for more information about the Aquadome. Photo: The Aquadome indoor swimming pool in Wellington (Steve Hind) * Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off with the discount code SWIMCHATS Enjoy the podcast? Buy me a coffee via ⁠https://ko-fi.com/swimchats⁠ Become a Swim Buddy via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

The rise of SwimRun: swimming and running outdoor adventures (featuring John Hancock)

SwimRun events involve a consecutive series of swims and runs, with no stops or gear changes. You can be tethered to another person, or do it solo. The swims are open water and the runs are on trails, across islands or around bays and headlands. Returning guest John Hancock is an avid SwimRunner and has participated in several events around the world, including in Sweden (the home of SwimRun) and Australia. He's also created the Facebook group NZ SwimRun for the local SwimRun community, with tips and articles. In this episode, John explains: How SwimRun got started and how it's evolved into a series of popular events around the world The gear and swim aids used by SwimRunners (some necessary, most optional) including short wetsuits, vests, running shoes, neoprene socks, a tether and belt, paddles and pull buoys The logistics involved in swimming then running then swimming then running The NZ Amphibian SwimRun event happening in April 2027 (two distance options) in the Bay of Islands The popularity of SwimRun Australia and its events in Sydney and Melbourne Why any swimmer would consider running (a genuine if slightly facetious question from me) Have you tried SwimRunning? Get in touch or leave a comment on the Swim Chats Insta page. Photo: John and his friend Marina completing the original Õtillö SwimRun in Sweden this year. * Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off with the discount code SWIMCHATS Enjoy the podcast? Buy me a coffee via https://ko-fi.com/swimchats Become a Swim Buddy via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Gráinne Moss on her 39-year swim journey through the Oceans Seven

Congratulations to Gráinne on her Oceans Seven!!!! Gráinne Moss is an ultramarathon swimmer from Wellington, New Zealand who recently completed the Oceans Seven, a series of gruelling swims around the globe. It's been a 39-year odyssey for Gráinne, who swam the English Channel in 1987 at just 17 years old and completed her seventh swim in June this year at the age of 56. Gráinne swims under her Irish passport and is the first Irish woman (and 45th person) to complete all seven swims! In this episode Gráinne (pronounced Gron-ya) shares stories from all seven swims, including swimming across the choppy English Channel as a teen in the 1980s; a "very, very large" shark encounter in the Cook Strait; battling 12-degree water and lion's mane jellies in the North Channel; the 42km 'Channel of Bones' in Hawai'i; and the thrill of completing the Oceans Seven in her mid-50s. We also talk about the swims that took more than one attempt and how they were learning opportunities that led to future rewards, and the ongoing support of her friends, family, and the wider swim community. Gráinne's Oceans Seven English Channel – 3 August 1987 – 11 hours 52 minutes Cook Strait – 6 March 2001 – 12 hours 25 minutes North Channel – 22 July 2022 – 13 hours 33 minutes Moloka'i Channel – 12 May 2023 – 15 hours 7 minutes Catalina Channel – 7 July 2023 – 11 hours 22 minutes Straits of Gibraltar – 22 May 2024 – 4 hours and 23 minutes Tsugaru Strait – 19 June 2026 – 12 hours and 29 minutes Visit Gráinne's blog grainnemoss.com for detailed accounts of her swims and follow her @swimirishkiwi on Instagram (or Facebook). Visit Kenziesgift.com to learn more about Gráinne's fundraising. Kenzie's Gift supports children and young adults who need grief or mental health support when a parent or sibling has died or has a serious illness. * Visit ⁠⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off with the discount code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Swim smarter, not harder with SwimMastery coach Tracey Baumann

Tracey Baumann is the co-founder and head coach at SwimMastery, which uses evidence-based methods to teach the correct, connected body position in the water – helping us to swim smoother and faster, with more joy and less struggle. Tracey has 30 years of coaching experience, teaching beginners and ultramarathoners around the world. In this episode she shares advice on improving your technique, overcoming mental barriers, preventing swim injuries, breath management, and optimising your performance no matter what age or swim level you are. Tracey is based in Brisbane, Australia. She offers virtual coaching and video analysis, runs clinics and open water swim camps, and coaches in an endless pool at the SwimMastery Swim Studio. I have personally found her coaching to be incredibly beneficial for my swimming. Find out more about SwimMastery: swimmasteryinternational.com Buy Tracey's The Swim Mastery Way book on Amazon Follow SwimMastery on Instagram * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off with the discount code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

'Wet July' with the Scarborough Dippers and their cold-water community

The Scarborough Dippers began with a bet between four friends in a coffee shop on a winter's day: who would take the plunge into the cold sea? Ten years later, the group now has dozens of year-round dippers who meet at 7am at Scarborough Beach in Christchurch. The group also runs Wet July, an annual campaign to raise funds for local organisations including kindys, lifesaving clubs, and conservation groups. Members pledge to get in the sea every day of the month and the dippers often raise over $10,000. They also host a mid-winter community swim and a quiz night. Their bank details are Scarborough Dippers 01-0811-0814833-00 if you want to chip in! Founding member Sandra Taylor came on the podcast to talk about how the group got started, their annual fundraising, the importance of a ‘Bucket of Joy’, and the support and connections that have formed from the fun and buzz of ocean dipping. As Sandra explains: “There’s no rules, no cost, no expectations, just a kind and lovely group of people that have all gathered around a love of dipping.” Visit the Scarborough Dippers public page on Facebook to follow along (new dippers and visitors are welcome – there are daily dippers and their biggest turnout tends to be on Fridays). * Visit ⁠StokedNZ⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off with the discount code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Squad coach and gym owner Timon Wilkinson on making lessons fun for kids and adults

Timon Wilkinson is the co-owner of Bonobos gym for kids and adults in Wellington and runs weekly Bonobos Swim Squads at Freyberg, WRAC, Te Ngaengae, and Te Huia Pools. Timon was a competitive swimmer from nine to 15 and started coaching kids while he was at university. He worked at the old TSW Pool until it closed in 2017, and then for Capital Swim Club. In 2017 he co-founded the fun and friendly Bonobos gym in Lyall Bay for kids and adults (including Strength, Mobility, and Balance classes – great cross-training for swimmers!). Timon talks about leaving kids' competitive swim coaching, opening the gym, and his many years of running adult swim squads. We discuss the joys and challenges of running squads, his top swimming tips, teaching different ages, personalities, and abilities, and how creating a friendly space helps people to learn and have fun so they want to keep coming back. Visit the Bonobos gym website Visit the Bonobos Swim Squad website * Visit StokedNZ for your towelies and get 15% off with the discount code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Diving into the world of sea sponges with Professor James Bell

James Bell is a Professor of Marine Biology at Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka, and a huge fan of sea sponges. Check out his colourful underwater photos and videos on his Instagram page, ⁠@sponge_ecology⁠, where he has over 40,000 followers. James has scuba dived around the world researching this ancient, vibrant, intriguing, but sometimes overlooked marine species. (We both agree that charismatic megafauna – e.g. dolphins, whales, sharks – often get a disproportionate amount of attention.) In this episode we talk about the characteristics and role of sea sponges, where you can find them, and how they're responding to marine heatwaves and increased levels of sedimentation (e.g. Wellington's current wastewater treatment plant disaster). James also talks about life as a marine biologist: diving in some of the world's coolest places, teaching the next generation of marine scientists, and sharing information to help people better understand and advocate for our underwater world. Glossary: Nudibranch: soft-bodied marine gastropods (sea slugs) Bioactive: something that has a biological effect on living organisms Spicules: needle-like elements produced by sponges to provide structural support and protection against predators Glass sponges: sponges with skeletons made out of spicules (see above) Image: James's award-winning 'sponge point of view' photo taken with an Insta360 camera from inside a barrel sponge in Indonesia. (James Bell) * Visit ⁠StokedNZ⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Corrina Connor on swimming NZ's Triple Crown, extreme ice miles, and having fun in inhospitable conditions

Corrina Connor is a Wellington ultramarathon swimmer, ice swimmer, musician, and the MC of Wellington's popular Sea Panels at Te Matapihi central library. In this episode we talk about Corrina's swim journey from a teenager at the pool to setting 20km+ targets in the open water. She swam across the Cook Strait (Te Moana-o-Raukawa) in December 2021, after a thwarted first go in March of the same year. She swam Foveaux Strait (Te Ara a Kiwa) in 2023 and Lake Taupō in 2024. She also completed a circumnavigation of Rangitoto Island in 2025. (You can read her excellent write-ups of her big swims on her blog, Goggles at Dawn.) We also talk more generally about how to stay positive during very long (or very cold) swims, technique, training goals and swim routines, and feeding plans. This month Corrina is training for the NZ Ice Swimming Championships in July and is also taking part in Coastguard NZ's Big Swim fundraiser – you can sponser her via her fundraising page. Because Corrina has done so much swimming (24km in the pool and sea per week is not uncommon), I asked a lot of questions and this episode is about 90 minutes long. It's a good one – grab a hot beverage of your choice and enjoy! The photo shows Corrina swimming an ice mile (about 1.6km) at St Bathans in 2023. (Corrina Connor) * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Ruby Fresh's Eddie Spearing on designing wetsuits, running the Ruby swim, and the joys of Lake Wānaka

At the time of recording, Eddie was recovering from a mountain biking accident so we talk about that at the start of the episode. All the best with your recovery, Eddie! Eddie Spearing lives in Wānaka on New Zealand's South Island, and is the founder of Ruby Fresh, a wetsuit that was designed (by Eddie) for freshwater swimming – he's since grown the business and now also sells wetsuits for ocean swimming. Eddie is the co-organiser of the hugely popular Ruby Island Swim event, which is held every year in late January. Entries are limited and open on September 1st. In this episode we talk about what goes into designing a wetsuit, launching and growing a swim business, how to look after your wetsuit so it lasts longer, the history of Ruby Island and the annual swim (which started in 2015), lake conservation, the pūteketeke (the Australasian crested grebe famously championed by John Oliver), the meaning of 'lake snow/snot' and 'duck itch', and how Eddie went from running snowboarding events in the UK to launching a swim business in Wānaka. Thanks to Lesley Cornish for the photo of Eddie, taken in 2025 during our swim adventure in Wānaka. * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Swimming and sea poems with special guest Sinéad Kehoe

Poetry captures the sensory delights and desires (and sometimes death and despair) of swimming and the allure of open water. In this episode, returning guest Sinéad Kehoe and I take turns reading some of our favourite swim poems, mostly organised by theme, location, or general vibe. Mermaids, grottos, drowning, thrashing waves, darting fish, and naked swims are all captured in these verses. We also got inspired and penned a couple of our own poems! There are no deep dives or literary deconstructions here, and we only read a few lines of the longer poems, so even if poetry isn’t your usual gig let the words wash over you – enjoy the rolling tides and shades of blue conjured by these poems. Here’s the full list, in reading order: ‘Mana of the Sea’ by DH Lawrence ‘Sonnet to the Sea’ by John Keats ‘The Sea’ and ‘Ode to the Sea’ by Pablo Neruda ‘E Rere Kau Mai’ Māori whakatauki/proverb (Whanganui iwi) ‘And My Heart Goes Swimming’ by Roma Pōtiki ‘Sea Swimming in Spring (Instant Poem)’ by Rachel McAlpine ‘Morning Swim’ by Maxine Kumin ‘Water is my Prayer’ from the blog Swimming at Dawn ‘From Sauna to Sea on a Rainy Autumn Day’ by Shona Riddell ‘Full Moon’ haiku by Matsuo Basho ‘Maggie and Milly and Molly and May’ by ee cummings ‘Not Waving but Drowning’ by Stevie Smith ‘The Mermaid’ by William Butler Yeats ‘Swimming’ by Mao Zedong ‘Aquatic Nocturne’ by Sylvia Path ‘Nude Swim’ by Anne Sexton ‘The Otter’ by Seamus Heaney ‘The Swimmer’ by Mary Oliver ‘Salted’ by Pippa Best ‘Pearl Diver’ by Lady Nakatomi ‘Winter Swims, Saturday Morning, Claude’s Cove’ by Sinéad Kehoe * Swimming With Lord Byron episode with John Hancock Kate Camp’s episode about her swimming and sea poems Swimming films, books and music episode (also with Sinead) * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me at swimchatswithshona at gmail dot com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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Mountains to Sea Wellington’s Zoe Studd on the joys, challenges and possibilities of connecting people with the water

Zoe Studd is the co-founder and ‘Chief Enthusiasm Officer’ of Mountains to Sea Wellington and the Project Lead of Love Rimurimu. She helps people of all ages to connect with marine and freshwater environments, and leads marine restoration projects. She’s full of ideas and energy, supported by an incredible team of staff and volunteers. On the MTSW website it says: ‘From experience comes joy, and from joy comes connection’ and I think we can all agree with that! In this episode we talk about how MTSW got started nine years ago, the free programmes they run (like the summer community snorkels and freshwater/awa exploration by night), the challenges that come with running a marine charitable trust (like this year’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failure…), NZ’s first seaweed festival, seaweed products (including gin!), and Zoe’s own relationship with the water including her morning ‘bobs’ in the dark at Titahi Bay. Visit the Mountains to Sea Wellington website, follow them on Facebook/Instagram, and become a volunteer Check out Imagination’s rimurimu gin Visit the Love Rimurimu website to learn more about seaweed regeneration, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram Upcoming event: Sunrise Seaweed Swim, Sunday June 28 2026 at 7am (sunrise at 7:50), Worser Bay Beach, followed by warm drinks and kai at the Worser Bay Boating Club. Organised by Love Rimurimu. All welcome! * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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‘Jump In’ author Nicola McCloy on NZ’s best swimming spots – and how she found them

NZ author Nicola McCloy’s new book ‘Jump In: An Insider’s Guide to New Zealand’s Best Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, Pools and Hot Springs’ was published in late 2025, with stunning photos and tips on the best places to swim. Writing the book involved plenty of personal research as Nicola trekked around the country to experience some of NZ’s most beautiful and epic (but also accessible) swim locations. With support and advice from local communities, Nicola’s swim journey was full of wonderful and unexpected surprises. She talks about how she chose the locations in the book, growing up as a water baby in Invercargill, and swimming with a plethora of marine life in the Hauraki Gulf (her social media includes ‘sh*t photos of well-camouflaged stingrays’ taken with her trusty GoPro) and the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Towards the end of this episode we talk about whio (pronounced fee-or): these are NZ native ducks (blue ducks) and precious to spot in the wild. Buy ‘Jump In’ from your local bookstore or borrow from the library (NZ authors receive some money when their books are in the library). If you own a copy already, put it in your car and go on a swimmer's road trip! Published by HarperCollins. Photo of Nicola swimming in Lake Pukaki, South Island. * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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RE-RELEASE – Sir Bernard Freyberg's heroic wartime swim and our ANZAC tribute (with special guest John Hancock)

This episode was originally released on 11/04/25. Our first 'swim history' episode! Featuring special guest John Hancock, a marathon swimmer and the organiser of this year's ANZAC Day swim in Wellington. In this episode John tells the story of the brave, accomplished, and fascinating Sir Bernard Freyberg who painted himself in black and undertook a stealthy nighttime swim in Gallipoli during World War One. We also discuss a few other notable swimmers in history: John F Kennedy, Kahe Te-Rau-o-te-Rangi, and Mao Zedong. Finally, John Hancock reflects on his own 'big' swims, across Lake Taupō and Cook Strait / Raukawa Moana. Lots of background links for this one – it is a history episode, after all! ⁠⁠Shona's family war tortoise⁠⁠ (Great War Stories, NZHistory.govt. nz). ⁠⁠ANZAC biscuit recipe⁠⁠ (Edmonds Cooking) ⁠Bernard Freyberg's Wikipedia page⁠ ⁠Image of Freyberg⁠ (taken in 1904 at Te Aro Baths in Wellington) is courtesy of ⁠Horowhenua Historical Society inc, Levin, New Zealand⁠ '⁠Debunking Freyberg's Mexican myth⁠' – NZ International Review '⁠When Sir Bernard tried to swim the Channel⁠' – Greymouth Evening Star, August 1950, via paperspast.natlib.govt.nz ⁠Kahe Te-Rau-o-te-Rangi,⁠ who swam from Kāpiti Island to the mainland in 1824 (Eleanor Spragg. 'Te Rau-o-te-rangi, Kahe', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1990, updated July, 2013. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand) '⁠The swim that changed Chinese history⁠' (Mao Zedong's river swims) The China Project, 14 July 2021. '⁠Caroline Kennedy recreates her father JFK's heroic wartime swim⁠.' CNN, August 2023. (correction: JFK's crew were attacked by a Japanese boat, not a plane as I incorrectly stated in this episode) John Hancock talks about his ⁠Cook Strait⁠ and ⁠Lake Taupō ⁠swims on the Effortless Swimming podcast * Support the podcast via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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Triple Crown swimmer Wen Erh Hsu on the importance of enjoying every stroke

Wen Erh Hsu completed the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming (English Channel, Catalina Channel and 20 Bridges in Manhattan) within one season in 2024. She is the first Taiwanese person to swim solo across the English Channel and her Facebook page ‘Wen’s Swimming Club’ has more than 10,000 followers. On this episode Wen talks about her journey from pool swimmer in Taiwan to ultramarathon training in the UK, as well as the importance of staying positive during challenging swims – such as when the water is ‘less warm' than ideal, when you're swimming the Catalina Channel overnight through the pitch black, or when a turbulent swim across the Cook Strait can not be completed (solution: book in for another go!). Wen also talks about life in Taipei, where she coaches new swimmers and encourages people to join the wonderful world of open water swimming. Follow Wen’s Swimming Club on Facebook Wen's page on Openwaterpedia * Bunbathers ponytail swim cap giveaway – see the Instagram post for details on how to enter. * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me via swimchatswithshona@gmail.com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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Seti Afoa on running Samoa Events, learning to swim, and overcoming our fear of the deep

Seti Afoa is the Director of Samoa Events, a swim business that offers tours, events, and retreats in Moananui (the Pacific Ocean). Seti was born in Samoa, in a coastal village on the island of Upolu. As was common for Samoan kids of his generation, swimming out of his depth was not encouraged. His family moved to South Auckland when he was about 13 and as an adult he began visiting swimming pools with his wife. He joined a pool squad, then ventured into the open water in Kohimarama. Gradually Seti’s distances and confidence increased until he swam the Rangitoto Double (about 10km) and in 2012 he completed a swim now known as ‘Seti’s Triangle’ – a 14km swim between Kohimarama Beach, Rangitoto Wharf and Browns Island. In 2012 Seti also began running tours for people who wanted to swim in Samoa. The Samoa Swim Series was born, as well as cycling and running events. He began helping ultramarathon swimmers achieve their own epic swims, including across the Apolima Strait (22.3km). These days he also organises swim tours in French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and runs the Rotoroa Swim Island Retreat in Auckland. Seti says he is not a fast swimmer, describing himself as the ‘mayor of the slow lane’, but he’s an inspiration. We talk about his swim journey, what it’s like running a swim business, and also how swimmers can overcome their fear of the deep. Visit Seti’s Samoa Events website * Jono Ridler swam down the east coast of the North Island (1600km over 90 days) to raise awareness of destructive sea bottom trawling in NZ – find out more at⁠ ⁠swim4theocean.com⁠⁠. * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me via swimchatswithshona@gmail.com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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Kate Wareham on learning to swim with epilepsy

This episode was published on March 26 to coincide with Epilepsy Awareness Day (#PurpleDay). Visit ⁠⁠Epilepsy NZ⁠⁠ to learn more and ⁠buy Kate's swim towels and caps⁠, which she sells to raise funds for Epilepsy NZ. Kate Wareham is a Wellington pool and open water swimmer, the CEO of Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA), and last year she was diagnosed with epilepsy, a neurological condition that can cause recurring, unprovoked seizures. Kate experienced her first seizure in 2025 while in Italy on holiday with her family, a few days after completing a lake swim event. Since her diagnosis she has been learning to navigate life as a swimmer with epilepsy, a condition that affects about 1% of the world’s population. In this episode Kate shares her experience of having a seizure while overseas, the life changes that have come with her diagnosis, how others have supported her at the pool and in the sea, and how she manages swimming with epilepsy. Health and safety notes: Every swimmer is different and every person with epilepsy is different, so talk to your medical health professional for advice on exercising safely after a diagnosis. If you have epilepsy, don’t swim alone and tell someone (e.g. pool lifeguards) that you have epilepsy. If a swimmer experiences a seizure, get them out of the water and cushion their head, but don’t attempt to restrain them. * Jono Ridler is swimming down the east coast of the North Island (1600km over 90 days) to end bottom trawling in NZ – find out more at ⁠swim4theocean.com⁠ and sign the petition. * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me via swimchatswithshona@gmail.com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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Dr Abi Lafbery on wild swimming, waterways, and how we swim in a changing world

Dr Abi Lafbery has a PhD in outdoor swimming from Lancaster University in the UK. Her thesis focussed on the health, thoughts, experiences and behaviours of wild/open water swimmers, the health of the water they swim in, and swimmers’ impacts on waterways. For almost five years she was researching and writing about swimming, flora and fauna, pollution, and climate. In this episode we talk about Abi’s own swimming in Cornwall, the Lake District, and on the wild, post-industrial coast of North West England; what she discovered from her research and interviews with outdoor swimmers; the ‘immersive knowledge’ (Abi coined this term!) that we develop from getting into open water and observing what is around us; issues, rights, and decision-making around access to waterways and water quality; how swimming can be environmental, comforting, liberating, or even a ‘wild’ act that transcends societal boundaries; and our connections to water, other people, and ourselves. Read Abi’s articles: ​In hot water: swimming and climate change (Outdoor Swimmer magazine, January 2026 – paywalled) ​Outdoor swimming is becoming a sanctuary for female swimmers in the UK (The Conversation, December 2025) In this episode I mention Jono Ridler, who is swimming down the east coast of the North Island (1600km over 90 days) to end bottom trawling in NZ – find out more at swim4theocean.com and sign the petition. Abi also mentions ‘sea gooseberries’ and I wondered if they were the same as salps – apparently they are similar but not identical! Sea gooseberries are ctenophores (comb jellies), while salps are barrel-shaped tunicates that swim by pumping water. Both are harmless, non-stinging, and jelly-like. * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact me via swimchatswithshona@gmail.com Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

Coach Dougal Dunlop on founding the Washing Machines, teaching swim skills, and enjoying all-weather swims at Oriental Bay

Dougal Dunlop is one of Wellington's swim legends and has been swimming and coaching for over 50 years. Now in his 70s, he continues to coach at Freyberg Pool and swims at Oriental Bay all year round – most mornings he'll be in the water at 6:46am (ish). A back injury led to Dougal swimming regularly in the ocean and he founded the Washing Machines, a hardy group of open water enthusiasts including ultramarathoners and ice swimmers. Dougal updates the group (of over 200 members) via WhatsApp every day with the local swim conditions and water temperature. We recorded this chat at AYE! Cafe in Oriental Bay so there's a bit of background noise sometimes – it's still a good listen for Dougal's stories and knowledge! * Jono Ridler is currently swimming down the east coast of NZ's North Island (1,600km over 90 days) to raise awareness of destructive bottom trawling in the ocean. Find out more at swim4theocean.com and sign the petition! * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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Bryn Williams on building confidence, feeling the rhythm, and enjoying our ocean playground

Bryn Williams is a Wellington ocean swimmer and is a great person to swim with. He helps nervous newbies (like me, a few years ago) and encourages us to have fun in the water whether it's jumping off the pontoons or doing handstands in the shallows. He's full of fun and lifts everyone's spirits just by showing up. Bryn moved to NZ from Wales in the late 1970s, at the age of 14. When Bryn was young his uncle Tommy, who was in the Navy during WW2 and witnessed multiple drownings, taught his dozens of nephews and nieces to swim in the fresh, choppy Irish Sea. Bryn learned to navigate the waves and the jelllies. and as an adult he finds peace and joy in the sea, calling it his "Prozac". No wetsuit, no goggles, and sometimes accompanied by his golden retriever Ruby, a competitive harbour swimmer. Bryn and I recorded this episode at his house and it's a great chat, so grab a cuppa and enjoy! * Jono Ridler is currently swimming down the east coast of NZ's North Island (1,600km over 90 days) to raise awareness of destructive bottom trawling in the ocean. Find out more at ⁠swim4theocean.com⁠ and sign the petition. * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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Danielle Falconer’s 40km swim for dementia: why every stroke matters

Update: SHE DID IT!!! On March 21 2026, Danielle swam across Lake Taupō (40.7km in 16h27m). Well done, Danielle! Also, her fundraising for Dementia NZ has raised over $15,000. Thanks to everyone who has donated. * At the time of recording this podcast (Feb 9, 2026), Danielle Falconer was preparing to swim the length of Lake Taupō (40.2km) in late February to raise awareness and support for those affected by dementia. Through her swim she is fundraising for Dementia NZ – visit her Givealittle page for more details. In this episode we talk about: Danielle’s personal reasons for wanting to grow awareness and support around dementia and fundraise for Dementia NZ. We talk about the impact of dementia on the tens of thousands of Kiwis affected by it, as well as on their families, caregivers, and community. The nuts and bolts of planning and training for an ultramarathon swim: having a swim programme, nutrition, support crew, and a feeding plan. The need for flexibility and adaptability in the lead-up to a big swim: once the training is done, having to accept things (like weather!) that are out of our control. Working with ultramarathon swim coach and world record holder Phil Rush (who has his own episode of Swim Chats). The crucial support and encouragement of family and friends, and training around other life commitments (work, kids, life admin … ). Swimming in Wellington: the community, the locations, the pool squads, and the fresh and choppy open water. Follow Danielle on Instagram (@swim_taupo) or via her Swim Taupō website for updates on her swim Visit Danielle's Givealittle page to donate to Dementia NZ (make a one-off donation, pledge an amount per hour or km of Danielle's swim, or complete a free ‘brain booster' activity) Visit the Dementia NZ website to learn more about dementia and find support * Jono Ridler is currently swimming down the east coast of NZ's North Island (1,600km over 90 days) to raise awareness of destructive bottom trawling in the ocean. Find out more at ⁠⁠swim4theocean.com⁠⁠ and sign the petition! * Visit ⁠⁠StokedNZ⁠⁠ for your towelies and get 15% off at checkout with the code SWIMCHATS Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/SwimChats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Swim Chats on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)

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