This podcast dives into extraordinary swims in extraordinary places, celebrating the spirit of adventure, endurance, and connection to water and nature that defines open-water swimming. Each episode features in-depth conversations with swimmers, organisers, and explorers who have taken on remarkable challenges or brought people together in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring waters — from glacial lakes and wild rivers to vast oceans and hidden coastal coves.
Through their stories, we uncover not only the physical and mental challenges of swimming in such environments but also the profound sense of perspective and belonging that comes with being immersed in water.
Our guests share what drives them to take the plunge, what they’ve learned from their encounters with water, and how these experiences can transform our relationship with the natural world.
At its heart, the series is also a call to care for the places we swim. By highlighting both their beauty and fragility, we aim to inspire listeners to protect these incredible environments so that future generations can continue to find freedom, joy, and purpose in the water.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This podcast dives into extraordinary swims in extraordinary places, celebrating the spirit of adventure, endurance, and connection to water and nature that defines open-water swimming. Each episode features in-depth conversations with swimmers, organisers, and explorers who have taken on remarkable challenges or brought people together in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring waters — from glacial lakes and wild rivers to vast oceans and hidden coastal coves.
Through their stories, we uncover not only the physical and mental challenges of swimming in such environments but also the profound sense of perspective and belonging that comes with being immersed in water.
Our guests share what drives them to take the plunge, what they’ve learned from their encounters with water, and how these experiences can transform our relationship with the natural world.
At its heart, the series is also a call to care for the places we swim. By highlighting both their beauty and fragility, we aim to inspire listeners to protect these incredible environments so that future generations can continue to find freedom, joy, and purpose in the water.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we dive headfirst into the magic of Hawaiian open water with three brilliant guests: Ryan Leong, Stefan Reinke, and Deb Kemp, a trio united by saltwater, courage, and the Aloha spirit.
What starts as a simple chat about swims quickly turns into a love letter to the ocean.
Ryan and Stefan, both seasoned Hawaiian open water swimmers and caretakers of iconic events like the Waikiki Roughwater Swim and the Double Roughwater, bring to life what makes Hawaii one of the most extraordinary swimming destinations on Earth: warm turquoise water, powerful currents, vibrant sea life, and a deep cultural sense of mana.
Deb shares how she went from cold Lake District swims to being embraced by the Hawaiian community, guided through tropical waters by masters of the craft, and overwhelmed by the spirit, culture, and generosity she found there. Her story is a reminder that when you step into the ocean with respect, it gives you something back.
The conversation drifts across:
🌊 The legendary Waikiki Roughwater and its tougher sibling, the Double Roughwater
🐬 Close encounters with dolphins, rays, hammerheads — and even a silky shark that escorted them for eight hours
🔥 The raw truth of Hawaiian conditions: currents, winds, microclimates, monthly jellyfish swarms
🏊♂️ Why open water swimming is about community, humility, adventure, and never being entirely in control
🌺 And how the mana, the living energy of the water, shapes every swim
It’s an episode about adventure, respect for the ocean, and the shared joy of being tiny specks moving through something vast and alive. After listening, you’ll probably — like Dave — be mentally booking a flight to Hawaii.
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.