Meet the SwimTrek HQ Team
Meet the head office team who create the magic in the background.
Simon Murie
Life before SwimTrek
Well I’ve been at SwimTrek since 2003, which seems another world away! Prior to SwimTrek, I was travelling the world as a Mining Engineer spending many months in various isolated locations, including West Africa, Philippines and Australia. Ironically a lot of these places couldn’t have been any further away from any swimmable water. It was probably this that drove me to become an open water swimmer!
Life at SwimTrek
My passion is in discovering new swimming locations and I’m pleased to say that this is the focus of my role here as I have responsibility for SwimTrek by scouting out new trips and swims across the world.
Most memorable swim moment
This has to be my cross-continental swim from Europe to Asia (The Hellespont and Dardanelles) in Turkey back in 2000. It’s a swim that had significance in not only the geography (Europe-Asia) but also the history (Gallipoli and Troy), mythology (Leander & Hero) and even literary (Byron)! In addition the time it took (1 week) in getting all the permissions lined up also made the swim itself so special! This was a lifetime ambition fulfilled.
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
My next one. I love travelling the world and discovering new locations that swimmers may have never thought about swimming in. I am always searching for the next great swimming location.
Interesting fact about you
My mother appeared in the James Bond film, Thunderball.
Why I love working at SwimTrek
What’s better than working in something that you love doing?
Ash Van Wensveen
Life before SwimTrek
A Sports Science degree led to numerous roles, from managing swimming pools to being an outdoor instructor, before leaving Australia in 1998 to pursue a career in Travel & Tourism. Having gained experience across many areas of the travel industry, from hike/ski guiding to being Commercial Director, I wanted to combine my passion for the outdoors with the skills I'd developed professionally. All roads led to SwimTrek.
Life at SwimTrek
As Managing Director my role is to work closely with all departments in developing and delivering our unique product that creates customer experiences that will last forever, whilst managing the long-term strategy of the business. Our vision is to continue in providing great swimming adventure holidays to more creative destinations, whilst continuing to improve our already high standard of customer service.
Most memorable swim moment
Standing on French soil having completed a solo crossing from Jersey to France. My shoulder was in bits for the last 2 hours but nothing was going to stop me standing on the beach and looking back towards Jersey. It made me realise, "Anything really is possible" with the right mental attitude and preparation
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
So hard to answer. Without copping out and saying all are brilliant; a personal favourite has to be our Croatian trips as they were my first due to the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, along with the great food and culture. IN terms of races; it has to be the Oldest Swim in the world - Hellespont
Interesting fact about you
I've met the Dalai Lama. I said "namaste" and shook his hand. Awaiting a profound response back that might provide me with enlightenment; he just laughed. Thats it! Could be worse I guess.
Why I love working at SwimTrek
The opportunity to work with like-minded people dedicated to providing the very best holiday experience for our customers. To combine my own personal passion for sport and adventure travel, with a product that I truly believe in, is a gift. So much so, that I have to pinch myself every morning.
Benjamin McIvor
Life before SwimTrek
After obtaining a Coach Education & Sports Development degree at Bath University I fell in love with swim coaching and passing on my passion and knowledge to others within the sport. Over the years I have worked very closely with various swimming clubs around the UK as well as pursuing a career in retail management & wholesale for such lifestyle brands as Abercrombie & Fitch, Canterbury of New Zealand and Jack Wills.
Alongside working at SwimTrek, I still coach the 'up and coming' stars of Brighton Swimming Club and dabble in some CrossFit coaching too.
Life at SwimTrek
As Sales Manager, I work closely with both the Customer Relations Team and Marketing Team, where we are responsible for making sure all goes swimmingly in the lead up to your adventure.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming the English Channel with the SwimTrek office is one of the most memorable moments to date for me, however, I will never forget the time whilst representing Great Britain in South Africa where not only did I win a bronze medal, but I had the opportunity to swim against competitors from around the world and dolphins alike.
Interesting fact about you
I struggle with the concept of shoes...Flip flops for me all year round!
Why I love working at SwimTrek
I get to work with an amazing team who have a clear passion for adventure, swimming and travel. It's safe to say, that for me, SwimTrek HQ feels more like a second home than work - What's not to love when the beach is minutes away, there are endless locations to travel to and explore, and the icing on the cake...Helping SwimTrekkers find the holiday of a lifetime!
Lucia Guerriero-Davies
Life before SwimTrek
Before SwimTrek I worked as a beach Lifeguard on Brighton Beach and on the Lifeguard Patrol boat for 3 consecutive summers. In between my seasons I worked in the Italian alps (I’m half Italian) Ski Repping. I then spent a year travelling my favourite part of the world, South East Asia teaching English. I have spent the last 2 years back in Brighton working as a Travel and Lifestyle consultant for American Express.
Life at SwimTrek
I started off guiding for SwimTrek in Montenegro, Croatia and Greece. I’m now working closely with Ben as a Group Sales Executive in the Brighton office. My role is to get more groups involved in these fantastic trips!
Most memorable swim moment
I will never forget swimming through the Blue Cave in Montenegro. The colours of the water were memorizing. This swim was followed by a sunset boat ride back to base accompanied with dolphins all the way back!
Interesting fact about you
I guided a celebrity’s family for a week in Greece not knowing until the last day!
Why I love working at SwimTrek
After having the best experience working as a guide for SwimTrek I’ve now got a new opportunity to use my first hand knowledge and experience to sell these exciting trips to groups.
Reggie Lang
Life before SwimTrek
Managing overseas operations for a number of volunteer organisations based in Central America, Africa and Asia for several years I was responsible for establishing new initiatives and innovations.
Prior to this I used to manage environmental research and community development programmes on the African coast and in the Seychelles. I have a deep respect for the oceans and working with our environment, working with the local community in whichever location I have found myself in.
Life at SwimTrek
Here at SwimTrek I manage and organise all of our overseas operations at the numerous locations we work in. Simon is constantly on the hunt for new and exciting swims, its then my responsibility to organise the operational and logistical aspect of each of these trips and support our international guiding team to make sure everything comes off without a hitch.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming with whale sharks in the Seychelles and being overwhelmed with the speed of such incredible creatures, them barely flicking their fins whilst there I am, sprint swimming simply in order to keep up with them.
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
A bit of a history fan, I love all of our swims that come with a story. The programmes in Alcatraz, The Bosphorus and the Hellespont really grab me for the intrigue surrounding them.
However, coming from an environmental background, some of the locations we work in are just ecologically incredible. The potential for personal experience with some of the ocean's most stunning sea life is something that really stays with you.
Interesting fact about you
I once lived on an uninhabited island in an abandoned medical base for a year.
Why I love working at SwimTrek
Combines my passion for exploring amazing locations with the opportunity to create memorable experiences for others.
Sally McGrath
Life before SwimTrek
Before SwimTrek, I worked winter and summer seasons abroad, gained a degree in Tourism and Hospitality management and worked in recruitment. These combined with a passion for swimming, water sports and being outdoors have all lead me to working here at SwimTrek.
Life at SwimTrek
I've been working in the Customer Relations Team since 2018 to ensure guests get the most out of their SwimTrek holiday before and after their trip.
Most memorable swim moment
Always taking the opportunity to get in the water, I loved swimming in the freezing cold fjords of Norway while the sun was setting into the mountains.
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
From local UK events to far away destinations, I am excited to explore everything there is within SwimTrek.
Interesting fact about you
Once I hitchhiked on a sailing boat for 3 days from Weymouth to Portsmouth.
Why I love working at SwimTrek
I am so lucky to work for a company that combines my passion for adventure while providing unique swimming experiences for others, as well as enjoying some of the beautiful locations myself.
Daniel Le Merle
Life before SwimTrek
For the last 25 years I have worked as a tour operator creating water and snow sports holidays, plus a sprinkling of touring and luxury escapes. Prior to that I travelled the world alternating seasons as a dive instructor and ski guide. Every now and then I also get flash backs of taking the 07:50 to Canon Street and a life as a city trader.
Life at SwimTrek
At SwimTrek I collect the dreams and imaginings of Simon and the team and work out how we can turn them into swimming experiences. I then hand these over to the Customer and Marketing teams to tell the world and our Operations team and Guides to make them reality.
Most memorable swim moment
Alone in the high Austrian alps, jumping into an ice covered lake, soon to discover why it's not a good idea to jump into an ice covered lake alone!
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
So many great locations. Swim coaching in Mallorca and cool Ibiza. Our honeymoon was in Baja with the Sealions and Mantas. Under sail in Greece and of course liveaboard in the Maldives. So many destinations I'd return to, but my favourite is always the unknown one.
Interesting fact about you
Despite all my travels at heart I a home boy, quite content helping others swan off for amazing adventures.
Why I love working at SwimTrek
Besides the Friday lunch sea swims it's knowing that everyone at SwimTrek, the team at HQ, our local partners in resort and every guide, cares so much about creating truly exceptional experiences that guests will confidently recommend to close friends and love ones.
Jack Hudson
Life before SwimTrek
First job I worked was as a lifeguard at a water park, wielding a net to pluck suspect items from pools or managing disgruntled slide queues. I’ve stayed close to the water most of my life, which was easy growing up near the Lake District. I’m now based in Sydney (near Bondi Icebergs) and part of a family of swimmers: a Mum who’s in and out of bracing Scottish lochs, a Dad who zips up and down urban pools and two older brothers Robbie and Calum, who I’ve been on various swim adventures with to places like Norway and Croatia (we also spent 9 days swimming the length of our local river).
Life at SwimTrek
I work in the marketing team at SwimTrek. I handle a lot of the content and social channels and will likely try to wrangle my way into as many submerged trips around the world, in whatever capacity possible.
Most memorable swim moment
My brothers and me were the first people to swim across the Moskstraumen, near the Norwegian Lofoten Islands, inside the Arctic Circle. There were long, warbling lion’s mane jellyfish there, tangled up in the deep currents. At one point we passed over an upturned bloom of these jellyfish and I remember looking down as we swam over, a safe few metres above their tentacles – I let out a muffed laugh and took note of what remains a rare and happy memory.
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
Mine is the Hellespont. It’s a chance to take part in a historic swim that brings the world’s busiest shipping channel to a halt for a single, glorious day. Throw in around 800 aquatic Turks and sunlit, lukewarm waters and you’ve got a crossing like no other.
Interesting fact about you
I once got trapped in a whiteout on a glacier in Iceland.
Why I love working at SwimTrek
I’ve always thought everyone should swim outdoors as much as possible. SwimTrek is founded by and built for outdoor swimmers. If ever there was an organisation to promote that idea, this is it.
Stuart Reid
Life before SwimTrek
A mixture of jobs in outdoor adventures, in travel, and in tourism. In my younger years I worked as a kayak coach and white-water raft guide. Among other things since then I’ve organised skiing trips, owned a Welsh campsite and managed the commercial elements of an activity tour operator.
Life at SwimTrek
I ensure our amazing SwimTrekkers pay a fair price for their holiday and that all our trips go ahead as full as possible.
Most memorable swim moment.
Swimming alongside a pod of dolphins off the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia.
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
The next one! I’m always looking forward to a future trip.
Interesting fact about you
I once cycled from Land’s End on the Western tip of England to Lithuania in Eastern Europe.
Why I love working at SwimTrek
I get a buzz from working with a cracking team of people who are always excited to be making adventures happen in amazing places. We also work about one minute away from the sea!
Amy Hawkes
Life before SwimTrek
I worked abroad for 8 years doing summer and ski seasons across Europe and Canada in various roles such as kids activity manager, ski guide, ski rep, which in the end lead me to being the area operations manager for an active holiday's childcare programme for the last 7 years. My passion for travel and activities led me to SwimTrek :)
Life at SwimTrek
I work in operations as the Travel and Logistics manager. Being part of the lovely team that makes it happen.
Most memorable swim moment
A whale shark swam into me whilst swimming with them in the Philippines
Favourite SwimTrek location or event
I love Sivota in the Ionian. I was lucky enough to work there for 2 summer seasons, such a beautiful place.
Interesting fact about you
I once broke my foot sleep walking
Why I love working at SwimTrek
Being part of a passionate team and working with a product that is so cool and exciting. You can't beat it!