Meet our Guides
Eoin Gleeson
Swim history before SwimTrek
Ennis Swimming and Lifesaving Club, Clare Surf-Lifesaving Club, National Surf-Lifesaving Squad/Team, Swim Teacher, Assistant Lifesaving Instructor, Pool Lifeguard, Beach Lifeguard, IRB Crew/Coxain
Most memorable swim moment
Hard to choose one. One of my first memories of swimming in the ocean would have to be with my whole family including cousins, aunts and uncles. We found a small secluded bay in the Burren, just before Fanore. It was limestone rock right up to the water and limestone mountain behind us. Once we all got in with wetsuits, snorkel and mask equipped, a lone dolphin appeared. As a child I still have this memory of diving down and coming face to face with this huge animal. She came right in and circled around us gently showing affection in a playful manner. We named it Mara. But the dolphin is now known to people as Dusky. We re-visited a number of times, but that first encounter will stay with me.
Top swimming tip
If feeling tired/fatigued, slow your stroke number and increase the length of pull by stretching arms.
Interesting fact
The earth's surface is covered by roughly 70% of ocean. We as humans we have only explored or seen 5% of these vast expanses of water. Let's get exploring!
Fiona Southwell
Swim history before SwimTrek
Swam the English Channel in August 2009, the oldest woman to do so at that time. Have been a primary school teacher for 18 years. Was awarded channel swimming coach of the year 2016 and has coached and supported 2 world record swims. Holds the record for having the highest success rate for coaching solo swimmers across the English Channel.
Locations guided on
Gozo, Mallorca, Sicily, Turkey, Hellespont, Brighton Swim-days.
Most memorable swim moment
Feeling my feet touch the French beach after a 19 hour and 22 minute solo swim of the English Channel.
Top swimming tip
Keep a wide arm, spear a wave, don’t slap it! No more than a 2 to 4 beat leg-kick. Never exhale all the oxygen from your lung.
Interesting fact
In 1983, myself along with my husband introduced the concept of the Mongolian Barbecue to Great Britain and ran a successful chain of restaurants for over 30 years.
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.
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!
John Lester
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have worked at various locations as a diver/superintendent, including the Middle and Far East and took any opportunity to swim in these places, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia. I qualified as an ASA Level 2 coach in 2000 and coached my local swimming club, also giving one to one lessons to adults in open water. I have competed in masters swimming competitions at local, UK and European level. With the growing popularity I qualified as a Level 2 triathlon coach and co founded our local triathlon club, coaching the swimmers in both pool and open water swimming.
Locations guided on
Mallorca, Oman
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming with the seals around the Farne Islands in Northumberland. Crossing the Firth of Forth as part of a Triathlon and winning 4 gold medals in Alicante at the Spanish Open Masters competition.
Top swimming tip
Practice bilateral breathing, it will pay big dividends in both stroke symmetry and the ability to change your rhythm to suit the sea conditions.
Jonathan Waugh
Swim History before SwimTrek
I grew up along the east coast of South Africa near Durban. The ocean was my backyard and where I spent countless hours surfing and swimming. I started surfing at the age of 8 and prior to this was involved in the junior lifesaving/nippers from the age of 6. Here I learned about the ocean and developed my love of the sea, the waves and the beach environment. My love of the ocean has taken me across the world to top surfing destinations including Indonesia, Europe and South America. I have 7 years experience as an RNLI Beach Lifeguard in Cornwall.
Locations guided on
Look forward to my first trips at Burgh Island and Milos in Greece.
Most memorable swim moment
When I was 8 years old, one of the lifeguards took me on on the front of his canoe far out to sea to look at a Humpback Whale. I lay on the front no more than 10 m away and watched in awe as it surfaced to have a look at us . Luckily it did not decide to breach at that time!
Top swimming tip
Get used to keeping your goggles on for long distance swimming. You can squint your eyes to allow a small amount of water to seep in to help keep them fog free.
Interesting fact
Geo-Environmental Consultant by trade
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.
Kelly Gentry
Swim history before SwimTrek
I've spent 20+ years as a competitive pool swimmer in California reaching as far as the junior national level. As I transitioned into university, I switched to playing water polo and competing in Masters open water competitions, as pool swimming had lost the allure for a short while. I also have been a coach for 13 years, first focusing on teaching kids, but for the past 8 years have found that coaching adults in the Masters world has been even more rewarding. I also have a history as a water polo coach at the university level and spent my summers as a pool lifeguard for 10+ years.
Locations guided on
I have guided in the following locations: Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Mallorca Luxury Escapes, Mallorca Coaching, Brighton Swim Days. And no, I can't tell you which is my favorite because they really are all so different :)
Most memorable swim moment
I was on a 26-mile relay across Monterey Bay, California where we began at dawn when it was still dark, swam alongside sea lions, watched the sunrise, endured really rough seas, and within a mile of the finish encountered a great white shark and hundreds of jellyfish. We weren't able to finish the swim that day, which was disappointing, but we also witnessed the beauty of Mother Nature and learned that some swims don't always go your way, but there's always something you can take away from it.
(As a SwimTrek guide): Watching a former professional football player (who believed he could never compete again in a sport due to a severely damaged knee) show up on a Croatia Short Swims trip thinking he would try out this "swim" thing. He left with the biggest smile on his face and a new love for open water swimming with goals to enter into some short races back home.
Top swimming tip
Even as lifelong swimmers, we all have our days where we aren't having fun on a swim. It's okay to feel that way! If you do get in a slump, try to pick one thing to focus on rather than thinking, "I hate this. I'm cold., etc" Focus on your head position, count how many starfish you can see on the bottom, practice breathing on the opposite side, or get on the boat/beach and tell yourself "I'll try again tomorrow." If you're having an off day, try to make the best of it and always have fun and know when to stop yourself if you feel the need to.
Interesting fact about you
A non-aquatic related activity, but I can say I've ventured into horseback riding, cooking, and sewing.
Mark Johnston
Swim history before SwimTrek
I started competitive swimming at age 5 on the west coast of the United States and “retired” at 17 when I became an exchange student in Sweden. After 25 years, I returned to the sport on a master’s team in 2002, and I found my calling in the open water. I developed such a love for swimming, that in 2008, I quit my corporate job to become a full-time instructor and coach: age-group, high school, and masters.
2008 was a BIG year, as I began to seriously train for an English Channel crossing as part of a relay. Part of our group’s training plan was to swim colder and longer events both as relays and solo swims including the Trans Tahoe Relay (11-miles), Maui Channel (11-miles), Portland Bridge Swim (12-miles), Slam The Dam (15-miles), Deer Creek (10-miles) and several lesser known 10-25K events and series. Unfortunately our English Channel relay was weathered out but that did not deter my love for marathon swimming.
In 2013, I had the good fortune to move to the beautiful shores of Flathead Lake in northwest Montana, the largest natural, freshwater lake west of the Mississippi (28 miles long x 15 miles wide). In addition to swimming, I have piloted for several notable open water swimmers including Sarah Thomas (80-mile Lake Powell swimmer) and Craig Lenning (four of the Ocean’s Seven) and hosted open water swimming clinics with Darren Miller (Ocean’s Seven).
Most memorable swim moment
In the winter of 2015, I was honoured by the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and allowed to compete under the Flathead Nation Tribal Flag. As a non-native living on the Flathead Reservation in Northwest Montana, this is a unique privilege.
Top swimming tip
BABY SHAMPOO! I am always surprised when even experienced swimmers are not familiar with a simple trick to keep your goggles from fogging: baby shampoo and water. Soap disperses and defends against moisture. The “baby” shampoo won’t sting your eyes. I recommend a few drops of baby shampoo in a small squirt bottle and topped off with water. Carry the bottle around in your swim bag and squirt a little into each goggle lens prior to swimming. Rinse out the solution just before putting the goggles on, and you’re good-to-go!
Interesting fact
I am the defending United States ICE Swimming and Scandinavian WINTER Swimming Champion!
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile