Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Jake Carpenter
Swim History Before SwimTrek
When I was 8 years old my parents sent me to a summer camp on a lake in Maine. For the next 14 summers I would live, swim, and eventually work on this lake. As campers, we would swim every morning and every afternoon for an hour. This built a strong love for water in my life. I swam competitively through school and university. Nowadays I have the luxury of living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, where there are ample freshwater lakes to swim in. Some are close by, such as Lake Tahoe, and some are a hike to get to, but always worth it!
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Swimming in Lake Tahoe where the water is so clear that you can see 20 meters down!
Top Swimming Tip
I love finding songs with the right cadence that I can sing in my head to keep me from going too fast or too slow. Just make sure it's a song you like!
Interesting Fact About You
I enjoy swimming through whitewater rapids on rivers! (With a lifejacket of course.)
Kim Cook
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I discovered ocean swimming when I moved from the UK to Australia and quickly fell in love with the vitamin sea. Fast‑forward 15 years through corporate desk jobs, several Swim Trek adventures, and many seasons as a volunteer surf lifesaver, and that passion has become my purpose. I now teach school children how to stay safe and confident in open water, and I mentor adults who are learning to ocean swim or training for marathon-distance challenges.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Every dip into open water feels special — whether it’s one of the many marathon swims I’ve completed, diving through the surf at my local beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, or sharing a dip and a post‑swim coffee with my swim buddies. One moment that stands out above the rest was stepping onto the sandy lakeside shore in Nevada after swimming the width of Lake Tahoe from California. The mix of achievement, the thrill of completing a major marathon swim in unfamiliar waters, and the breathtaking scenery framed by pine‑covered mountains made it truly unforgettable.
Top Swimming Tip
Controlling your breathing is the foundation of efficient, enjoyable swimming. Ease back your kick and slow your stroke so you can settle into a steady, relaxed breathing rhythm. And keep your mindset on your side — whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re right!
Interesting Fact About You
I've completed marathon swims in 7 different countries across 3 continents.
Michael Kring
Swim History Before SwimTrek
As a child, I loved playing in the water, jumping off docks and swing ropes, water skiing and tubing. But swimming down a black line for lengths at a time didn't hold any interest. Later in life, pool swimming became an occasional duty but without much joy. Then in 2018, I had a frozen shoulder and for recovery, my physio suggested swimming for rehab. Since I didn't like the pool, i got into the ocean in Sydney and fell in love with open water swimming. No black lines, no lanes. Just put your head in the water and swim. I discovered a whole new word to see while I was swimming and KM's became easier and easier. Now I am a very avid ocean swimmer in Sydney Australia, venturing out about 5x per week which I absolulty can't do without.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
A couple of years ago, the swim group I swim with at Bondi Beach was out about 1km from shore, swimming towards the shark beacon. When we were closer to the shark beacon, we had just swam through a big cloud of jelly blubbers, and I noticed what looked like a rock underneath me covered in barnacles. Bewildered, I asked myself what is a rock doing this close to the surface a KM from the beach. Then my vision expanded, and I realized it was a humpback whale about 10ft below me. Needless to say, I was so excited. I swam with it for about 15 seconds and it was then gone. When I came up for air, another whale came up about 10m away to the side. We tried to swim with that one, but it was too fast. To this day, I still can relive every second of that whole adventure.
Top Swimming Tip
Let the water hold and support your body, and keep your head down when you are swimming.
Interesting Fact About You
I was an exchange student in Sydney, Australia, where I met my wife at university.
Florence Laimbeer
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have lived by the sea my entire life and have always taken full advantage of it, swimming whenever possible! I was a competitive swimmer throughout my childhood and teenage years and later discovered a love for open water swimming while working as a beach lifeguard for the RNLI at Camber Sands. I loved working by the sea so much that I stayed on from the age of 17 and have since qualified as a senior lifeguard. I continued my love for the ocean by choosing to study at the University of Plymouth, where I explore the Devon and Cornwall coastline and make full use of the beautiful environment I’m lucky to study in.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
I went to Greece and had the incredible opportunity to train with a local competitive swimming club. We all lived together for the week, and they showed us around the town, making it such a fun and memorable experience. At the end of the week, we took part in an open water swimming gala, which was super fun!
Top Swimming Tip
I love to sea swim with my friends- not only to look out for each other, but because it's way more fun!
Interesting Fact About You
I can do 9 underwater roly poly's in a row.
Emily Munsey
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I grew up swimming regularly with my family and have grown my love of swimming from there. We always swam together on holiday whether in the Lake District or on the coast and this grew my love for exploring the world from the water.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Swimming through the witches cauldron in Pembrokeshire with my Mum. This is a collapsed sea cave in Pembrokeshire you can swim through a tunnel to. I’ve been regularly through my childhood but on this occasion the light was perfect making the cave sparkle with emerald light.
Top Swimming Tip
Technique is super crucial for swimming. If you have the chance to get someone to record you swimming it can be a game changer for understanding what small changes you need to make.
Interesting Fact About You
I’m a qualified flour miller.
Giorgio Nichilò
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Since I was a child, I have practiced swimming in the pool and have always loved swimming in the sea. Later, I started playing water polo, initially for fun and then at an agonistic level, which I continued for seven years. Eventually, I decided to leave water polo, but not the marine environment. I became interested in other water activities such as freediving and scuba diving, and I have continued swimming throughout the years. I particularly love open water swimming for the sense of adventure it brings, and I enjoy exploring the marine environment and discovering all the small details it contains. In 2022, I obtained my lifeguard license, since then, I began working both as a guide and as a Lifeguard and have also earned an instructor license to teach swimming. I am currently pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences, with the dream of becoming an environmental biologist and working in scientific environmental sectors to help protect the environment and all forms of life.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
During an open water swim, the sea became completely still, and I found myself surrounded by schools of fish, suspended between water and sky. For a few minutes, I felt weightless, and the beauty of the ocean made me lose all sense of time and place.
Top Swimming Tip
Every swim is an adventure, not a race: breathe and move with the waves, enjoy all the sensations, get lost in the wonder of the sea, and let everything else fade away.
Interesting Fact About You
I enjoy all kinds of sports, especially those that connect me with nature, such as skiing, hiking, climbing, scuba diving, and freediving. I also practice mixed martial arts.
Natali Della Savia
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I started swimming at the age of four, competing in the pool from a young age. When I was 18, I began racing in open water as well (lakes, rivers and the sea). I completed half of a degree in accountancy and worked in accounting and administration for around four years before deciding to follow a different path. I began teaching swimming and became a beach lifeguard. Since then, I’ve worked in Argentina, Spain, the UK, Costa Rica and Brazil
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Probably my first river race: a 9km swim in Baradero, Buenos Aires. My teammate Camila and I swam side by side for the entire race. It was the first river event for both of us, and we hadn’t planned it beforehand. It just happened naturally during the swim. We paced each other all the way to the finish, which made the experience even more special.
Top Swimming Tip
Enjoy the water. The more relaxed and present you are, the better (and more confidently) you’ll swim.
Interesting Fact About You
I’m a volunteer for the Argentine Girl Guides Association.
Liz Rycroft
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Swimming has been such an important part of life for as long as I can remember. It's given me so many things both socially and career wise. As a child, my sister and I spent every holiday swimming in the sea in West Wales. I started club swimming aged 10 and loved the training, although racing was definitely not my thing. I lifeguarded as a teenager and had small break from training whilst at university. As an adult I was invited down to Dover Harbour in 2005 and became involved in open water swimming again. From then I was hooked and worked my way through a variety of swims from lakes to sea swims.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
My English Channel swim has been my most enjoyable swim- the conditions, my support crew, cracking the feeding and timings- everything came together to be my most enjoyable relaxed swim.
Top Swimming Tip
Relax! Whatever the conditions, however cold and rough, you'll be more efficient and effective if you are relaxed physically and mentally.
Interesting Fact About You
After spending many hours sat in the Caspian Sea waiting for our ferry to land in Turkmenistan, I learnt to complete a Rubik's Cube.
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