Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Sam Morrison
Swim History Before Swim Trek
I started swimming from a young age and was constantly in the pool while growing up. From age 10 my family started spending the summers down on the Great Ocean Road and I took part in the local surf club nippers. I went on to do lifeguard training and became a training officer. I loved every minute of my time there and I remain an active member of my local surf club.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Finishing my first pier to pub race. I had been injured not long before and had trained up so I could race the event which is about 1km long. It was an amazing feeling to get back into the ocean and was a beautiful day.
Top Swimming Tip
The most important thing for becoming a great swimmer is being patient and finding the pace that works for you. Trying to push too hard too early will make it much harder for you. Over time you will build up more endurance and speed in the water.
Interesting Fact About You
I recently graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Politics degree, majoring in Philosophy.
Katie Berlyn
Swim history before SwimTrek
I grew up in a small coastal town in South Africa where the ocean was my playground. The Indian Ocean shaped my childhood — you could usually find me diving through the powerful waves at Nahoon Beach (a well-known surfing spot) or challenging myself to swim as far beyond the backline as possible. My love for the adventure of being at sea feels innate, and I have always been drawn to it.
Most memorable swim moment
In June 2024, my team and I completed our pioneering 107km “D-Day Dash” swim across the English Channel by landing on the beach at Veules-les-Roses, near Dieppe in Normandy. We all swam to shore behind our teammate as he finished the final stretch of the crossing. Scrambling over the sharp rocks to clear the water felt deeply historic, bringing to mind those who landed on these same shores during the Second World War. It felt especially poignant that dawn was just breaking as we arrived. After taking a few photos on the beach, all six of us swam back out to our support boat and were rewarded with the most incredible sunrise, shimmering across the silky calm waters of the Channel. It was a moment of triumph, reflection, and sheer beauty — one I will never forget.
Top swimming tip
Relax in the water, don't overthink it. Breathe, glide and be present in the moment.
Interesting fact
I am a qualified primary school teacher and have worked as a KS1 class teacher for 12 years and then as an art teacher for 5 years. I'm a keen marathon runner and have also taken up cycling to complete a few charity cycle tours (London to Paris in 2022 and East London (SA) to Cape Town in 2025 and 2026).
Tanya Livingston
Swim history before SwimTrek:
Started off as a kid swimming for a local Rhodesian club in a 30 yard pool around 7 years old, progressed to the Zimbabwean Junior team before moving to South Africa. Competed in swimming, biathlon, lifesaving and waterpolo during my high school years, obtaining Junior springbok colours for biathlon. Post school, joined the local municipality as a professional lifeguard on Amanzimtoti Beach, primarily surf and covering the pools from time to time. Part of the John Rolfe Surf Rescue helicopter voluntary crew performing surf rescues and competing in lifesaving events. Lifesaver of the Year Award 1993 resulted in a 6 month lifeguard exchange programme in USA. Returned and joined the military training as a helicopter pilot in the South African Airforce. Moved to the South African police Service then onto Bristow Helicopters based in Nigeria working in the offshore industry. Returned to South Africa working offshore before heading to the UAE to fly Royals in their VIP Wing and train in the many amazing facilities in the UAE. Have Been active for past 12 years again in Masters Swimming and Lifesaving, attending World champs a few times both in lifesaving and swimming. Ventured into coaching, completed LTS, ACSA Coaches courses and ILS pool and ocean Instructors. Enjoy open water swims and competing locally.
Most memorable swim moments:
Winning my age group and making the top ten overall ladies in the Bosphorous on my first attempt!
Best swimming tips:
Relax! swimming is the most natural thing you can do when you're not tense!
Interesting facts about myself:
Ive never really grown up.
Daniel Mouritsen
Swim history before SwimTrek:
I’ve been drawn to the water for as long as I can remember. Growing up, swimming was seen as a life skill in my family, so I was in the water early and rarely stayed out for long. As I got older, that connection deepened through water polo, building strength, endurance, and confidence in dynamic conditions. But it was always the open water that pulled me in most — whether swimming along coastlines, jumping into cold water, or finding any excuse to be in the sea. For me, swimming has always been part of a bigger sense of adventure — exploring wild places, feeling connected to the elements, and being completely at ease in the water wherever I am.
Most memorable swim moments:
One of my most memorable swims was along the coastline in Amed at sunset. The ocean was almost completely still, making it one of those rare swims where everything feels calm and unhurried. As I moved along the coast, the sun set behind Mount Agung, and the light gradually faded. It was a simple moment, but one that really stuck with me — just being in the water and taking it all in.
Best swimming tips:
One stroke at a time. Stay present in your swim rather than thinking too far ahead — you’ll enjoy it more and usually swim better too.
Interesting facts about myself:
I’m allergic to kiwifruit, which unfortunately doesn’t stop me from eating them — I just have to live with the consequences afterwards.
Edoardo Bruni
Swim history before SwimTrek
I grew up in the water and developed my swimming skills through many years of playing water polo in Rome with Flores. This gave me a strong foundation in endurance, technique, and confidence in dynamic water conditions. Over time, I naturally moved into open water swimming, where I feel most at home. For me, swimming in the sea is about freedom, awareness, and connection with the environment. My experience is also deeply influenced by my background in freediving and professional diving, which has given me a high level of water confidence, breath control, and the ability to read sea conditions."
Most memorable swim moment
I have spent a significant amount of time swimming in the Atlantic Ocean around Lanzarote, where I lived and worked as a diving center manager. Swimming there means dealing with currents, swell, and the vastness of the ocean—an environment that commands respect and awareness. Lanzarote, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Marine Reserve, also offered extraordinary encounters with large marine life, reinforcing my deep connection with the sea. My background in freediving and professional diving further developed my water confidence, breath control, and ability to read sea conditions"
Top swimming tip
Always take a moment to read the conditions, currents, wind, swell—and adapt your swimming rather than fighting the water. Efficiency, calm breathing, and awareness are far more important than speed. The sea rewards those who listen to it and respect the sea before trying to perform in it."
Interesting fact
I don’t just explore the sea...I interpret it. My background combines professional diving, archaeology, and heritage interpretation, which means that every swim becomes a story. I can guide people not only through the water, but also through the history, culture, and hidden meaning of the places we explore."
Jensine Bugelli
Swim history before SwimTrek
I’ve grown up in the water—countless hours in the ocean and pool have turned me into a bit of a fish! I love all things aquatic, from swim training and surfing to water polo and paddling. I played Division I water polo at UC Irvine and have since competed abroad in Spain, Australia, and Malta. I work as an ocean lifeguard in Laguna Beach, CA, where I spend my days in or on the water—swimming, surfing, and paddling. When summer winds down in California, I swap hemispheres and head to Margaret River in Western Australia to lifeguard, where I’m lucky enough to start each morning with an ocean swim! "
Most memorable swim moment
Meeting an octopus during a sunrise ocean swim in Gnarabup, West Aus!
Top swimming tip
Engage your core - rotate through each stroke you take!
Interesting fact
I have bachelors degrees in English and Criminology, and minors in Psychology and Social Ecology.
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