Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Francesco Cavaliere
Swim history before SwimTrek
I am a PE teacher and I was teaching at the University in Chieti up until 2014. I am currently a swim coach and lifeguard and I work for SS.Lazio Nuoto in Rome. I am the President and founder of ASD Swimtrekking, this year completing 20 years of activity. I have been a swimmer since I was 4 years old but I never loved to swim in pools and fresh water and I retired from the pool at 14 years old. My passion was to swim in the sea, looking to explore, and when I was an early teenager I loved to swim with my friends in the blue sea of the Eolian Islands with a mask and snorkel. At 15 I completed my first circumnavigation of Panarea and from that moment every summer was the opportunity to explore to sea beauty swimming round the islands. My first big challenge was in 1993 when I completed a 150 km coastal of all the Emerald Coast in Sardinia in 13 days. From summer 1994 to summer 2005 I completed the swim of all the Italian minor islands (all the Italian islands apart from Sicily and Sardinia) for a total of 44 islands as a solo swimmer with no boat support. In the winter of 2005 I swam around 10 island in the huge archipelago of Los Roques in Venezuela and in 2006 I swam around the island of Ithaca in Greece. I have also completed the swim of the San Bernardo archipelago in Colombia in winter 2014 and the coastal swims in the Galapagos archipelago in winter 2015.
Locations guided on
I have been guiding for Swimtrek in Sardinia since the start of that trip and as well the Aegadian islands and the Aeolian islands. This year I will also be guiding the Tremiti islands.
Most memorable swim moment
The most memorable moment was when I was swimming around Stromboli island in 1996 and there was a lava eruption combined with a thunderstorm. It was an incredible to swim in such conditions and an unforgettable scenery to experience.
Top swimming tip
Swim with a kickboard in one hand. Pull and when you enter, aim the hand for the corner of the board and reach out under the side of the board instead of for the center. This can correct some of the common mistakes of moving the hands across the body on the reach after entry.
Interesting fact
I love the sea, and swimming is an opportunity to explore marine life in a very unique way and to feel part of it.
Frank Carty
History before SwimTrek
I grew in the midlands of Ireland. I joined my local club when I was 8 and swam competitively for club and Provence until I was 18. I lived in that pool; if I wasn’t training I was lifeguarding. Between school and college I threw myself into cycling, and unfortunately a few triathlons.
When I went to college I never thought Id never go back swimming with a club. But when I saw the crew I’d be training with I couldn't resist. A good balance of swimming and socializing, a mixed bag of characters that just loved swimming. While I was in college I got my beach lifeguard qualification and I worked 5 seasons in Galway; they've got some of the most beautiful beaches like you wouldn't believe. In Galway there’s always been a good swimming scene with Blackrock diving tower being the meeting place.
Locations Guided On
Milos, Cyclades, Dalmatian Coast, Kornati, Mallorca, Sardinia, Ibiza.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
The Coosan Point swim was a 'very' local race held once a year and would bring everyone down to the shore. Those first few races gave me such a buzz I’ll never forget.
Interesting fact
In college I got a BSc in Zoology. I grew up on a farm and have a huge passion for nature and wildlife.
Giulia Negrini
Swim history before SwimTrek:
I come from a little town in the Italian Alps and, despite growing up in the mountains, I've taken up swimming since a young age and grew up being a professional swimmer. I swam competitively for over 10 years, taking part in National and International events in Italy and Europe.
At the age of 21, I had to put my swimming career aside so I decided to move abroad, in search of new adventures and simply to discover what other beautiful things there are outside a swimming pool. Since then, I've been traveling non-stop to study and work and lived in quite a few countries: Sweden, Denmark, France, New Zealand, Japan, and the UK. Now I'm finally back home in Italy for the first time in 6 years and it's quite nice to enjoy the good food again!
Locations guided on:
Emerald Coast Sardinia, Tremiti Islands
Most memorable swim moments:
In the pool: my best swim moment in the pool was when I won the gold medal at the Italian Championships in Rome, with the 4*100 medley relay. I was the backstroker in the team. I remember crying from joy for the whole 5 hours drive home after the race!
In the sea: swimming at twilight in the Emerald coast of Sardinia and watching the sunset from the water...
Best swimming tips:
Swimming is a sport of silence and imagination. Get in the water, feel its lightness. Breathe, glide and swim until the music of the water overcomes the rumor of your thoughts.
Interesting facts about myself:
When I am not in the water, I am always looking for a mountain to climb. I like the view of the sea from a mountain top.
Graham Buckley
Swim History before SwimTrek
Growing up by the sea, I’ve been in the water since a young age. I joined my local lifesaving club while at school, from which swimming and lifesaving became a big part of my life. I spent several years working as a beach lifeguard in Brighton, both on the beach and a patrol boat, and then as a Seafront Officer – managing and training lifeguards and working all year round on the seafront. I also worked for a while at SwimTrek HQ, so am pleased to be returning as a guide in SE Asia!
Locations Guided On
Tenerife, Portugal, Tremiti Islands, Lithuania, Croatia, Vietnam (soon!)
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Probably completing a channel relay swim with the SwimTrek office team back in 2016… and the many hours of winter swimming to prepare for it.
Top Swimming Tip
Make sure you understand what the water is doing and the environment you are getting in before you go in – to both keep you safe and to help you plan.
Huseyin Dermis
Swim history before SwimTrek
Being brought up on the southern cost of Turkey, snorkelling, spear fishing, and swimming in the med was what I would do whole thorough the long summer, getting up at 6 am before the crowds hit the beach.
I was in my late 20's when I swam in a swimming pool for the first time.
I started swimming with a master's club when I moved to London; that was the first time I began thinking about technique. Then I came across Shaw Method which rekindled my love for swimming.
Since 2005 I have been teaching swimming in London. I started working for Swimtrek in 2010 after being on one of their trips as a guest. I loved the way we were looked after by the guides.
Locations guided on
I have guided in Sicily, learning the ropes from Maestro Francesco, Turkey, Egypt, Lake District, Mallorca Coaching, St Kitts and Nevis, and at the Hellespont swim event.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming from the small Greek island Kastellorizo to Kas in Turkey was highly enjoyable.
Top swimming tip
It has to be relaxation, relaxation, and relaxation. Loosen up those shoulders, neck muscles, and you'll go a long way.
Interesting fact about you
As a kid, I was good at catching fish with my bare hands, honest!
Keith Willox
Swim history before Swim Trek:
During a 30 year career as a Wing Commander in the RAF I was able to swim in some interesting locations from the Falkland Islands to Baghdad. I was part of the RAF’s Channel Swim Squad that set records for swimming from Belgium to England. Gibraltar to Morocco and round-Jersey. I also promoted and organised the Inter Services Open Water Competition at Lake Bala for the RN, Army and RAF for 20 years.
Locations guided on
Croatia-Privic , Durdle Door , Thames , Cornwall & Isles of Scilly & Tremiti.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming with penguins on Christmas Day in the Falkland Islands. Chilly but exciting.
Top swimming tip
When swimming in the sea for more than 20 minutes always grease up to prevent chaffing. Keep your goggles spotlessly clean with a drop of detergent to prevent fogging. Never confuse the two!
Interesting fact
I was born and brought up in Zambia where I learnt to swim before I could walk.
Kevin Stewart
Swim history before SwimTrek
I started swimming at the age of four and have swum for various clubs and completed in both national and international events including the Hellespont, and Catalina channel (more of that below).
Several years ago, I qualified as a swimming teacher and more recently as an open water coach. I work with a large masters club teaching adults to swim and coaching open water during the summer months.
I have always enjoyed open water /wild swimming and try to get back to Scotland to explore my home country’s lochs and rivers as often as I can. I often find myself daydreaming about big swim challenges and pouring over maps to find new places /routes to swim.
Most memorable swim moment
Leaping off a boat in the middle of the night into the deep black waters of the Catalina Channel knowing that I was swimming where great white sharks roam was certainly memorable. Swimming my second and what turned out to be the last leg of this relay and being joined by the relay team was a moment I’ll never forget.
Top swimming tip
Relax! Don’t fight the water. I find it amazing that the smallest of changes to technique can have a big impact on one’s efficiency in the water. Slow it down and concentrate on a single aspect of your stroke for a half a dozen lengths in the pool. Play with hand entry or the timing of your kick for example and note how it effects your overall performance.
Interesting fact
Swimming is a passion I adore sharing but I am also a keen botanist and enjoy cultivating cool growing orchids. My collection numbers somewhere upwards of 100 and I have had several articles published in specialist orchid journals.
Neil Drinkwater
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have always enjoyed swimming as an adult but never competitively. After going on my first SwimTrek holiday in 2009, I got hooked on the open water and following laser eye surgery swam Lake Zurich solo 2010. After this I became a guide, but I make sure I still go away as a punter at least once a year as well!
Locations guided on
Turkey, Sardinia & Montenegro. I've also been a guest in Egypt, Malta and Croatia.
Most memorable swim moment
Getting OUT of lake Zurich at the end of my swim!
Top swimming tip
Swim when you least feel like it - you will ALWAYS feel better afterwards.
Interesting fact about you
My birthday is exactly ten weeks to the day before Christmas.
Nicky Chapman
Swim history
Six years ago, barely able to swim front crawl, I took a course to train for sea swimming with an end goal of a 1km shoreline swim and so the addiction to swimming began. Since then I've enjoyed the beauty of swims in the Lake District, Snowdonia, Angelsey and the Brecon Beacons. I have undertaken distance challenges include the Dart 10 km, Jubilee River 10 km and Henley Bridge-to-Bridge marathon of 14 km. Daily I brave the U.K. waters in Brighton as a year round 'skins' ( non- wetsuited) swimmer and tried out even more extreme temperatures (1.5 C) at the Cold Water Swimming Championships at Tooting Bec Lido this year. However, I'm never happier than in warm water and have loved my time as a Swimtrek customer. During trips to Turkey - Lycian Way, Greek Sporades and the Croatian Kornati islands, I've met fantastic people and my swimming family ever grows.
Locations guided on
River Thames, Seven Sisters, Kornati Islands, Hellespont and Lycian Way
Best swim moment
I can't pick one as there's been too many beautiful sunrises, sunsets, full moon dips, murmuration swims, Welsh waterfalls and Amsterdam canal circuits shared with wonderful swim friends to narrow it down.
Top swimming tip
Keep exploring new swimming experiences and challenges, you never know where it'll take you. There's a whole lot of fun to be had out there and great people to meet.
Interesting fact
My other water related skills include attending water births, as I'm a midwife.
Pippy Rocliffe
Swim history before SwimTrek
I began life in the water as a competitive swimmer for a range of clubs, interprovincial and national squads in the beautiful green of Ireland. Swimming has afforded me fantastic opportunities to travel, train and compete both home and abroad. I was a sprint backstroker by nature and decided to hang up my competition togs shortly after Nationals & Olympic Trials in 2012. From there I ventured into Surf Lifesaving medalling at various meets such as Irish Nationals, World and European Junior Championships. I have embarked on a career in swim coaching in 2012 and am currently the head coach of the UL Wolves and Irish University swim teams where we continue to foster skills such as commitment, work ethic, integrity and honesty in our young athletes. These skills are easily transferable, equipping swimmers to deal with the peaks and troughs of everyday life. I have a total of 8 years’ experience working as a beach lifeguard on the choppy shores of the west coast of Ireland and have completed a number of sea/lake swims over the years. Most notably I was the first person to complete an 8km crossing of Lough Mask in the west coast of Ireland and was the winner of the Laze Zurich marathon swim in Switzerland. I have just completed my PhD and am now lecturing in the University of Limerick.
Most memorable swim moment
In the summer of 2016, I was lucky enough to be offered a dream job with SwimTrek. However, soon after I was involved in a motor vehicle accident while on an exchange programme in the United States where I subsequently broke my neck, back, leg and foot. I spent a total of 12 months in recovery where I had to learn to stand, shuffle, walk, go to the toilet amongst many other facets of everyday life that we take for granted every single day. As such, my most memorable swim moment was simply getting back in to the water for the first time after many months wondering if it would ever be possible again. From there swimming has been a huge crutch to get me back to full health. It’s my life, my joy, my passion and to be surrounded by like-minded people who love the water is a dream come true. I think its fair to say I have some unfinished business when it comes to SwimTrek.
Top swimming tip
‘Success lies outside your comfort zone’
Interesting fact
I am a triplet, yes there are three Pippy’s for the price of one & I founded a charity called Shine a Light in aid of the homeless, based in Ireland.
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