Meet our Guides
Susan Reynolds
Swim history before SwimTrek
I took up open water swimming when I was 13 years old in the lochs in Scotland and represented my country as a junior. After having had a break from swimming for a few years I began working as a beach lifeguard, renewing my love of the water and gaining a new found love of the sea and other water sports including surfing, stand up paddle boarding and surf life saving. I am also a National Tutor for Surf Lifesaving GB
Locations guided on
Gozo, Malta Dalmation Coast Croatia Lake Bled, Slovenia Greek Cyclades Hellespont Burgh Island River Thames Sardinian Emerald Coast Mallorca training camps Sicilly
Most memorable swim moment
Dawn swim from Bay Bridge to Aquatic park in San Fransisco. We started the swim just before light broke and watched San Fransisco wake up from the water. Thank you to the ladies at SERC's for taking me on this journey.
Top swimming tip
Any time spent in the water is good time, so don't get disheartened if your swim isn't going to well. Approach it from a different angle and instead of forcing yourself to do the 4 km you were planning change it to a time goal or focus on your technique.
When open water swimming always always always know what the water is doing before you get in!! This will help you to plan your route and help to keep you safe.
Interesting fact
I have delivered calves and lambs, hatched chickens and ducks and been in a stand off with a bull!
Cliff Golding
Swim history before SwimTrek
In the autumn of 1991 I decided I wanted to swim the Channel. This was an odd decision as I was a skinny marathon runner with no previous experience as a swimmer save for a bronze certificate. Six attempts and five years later I finally succeeded. I did it again in 2003 and, in the six years until that second swim, I swam round Jersey three times, Lake Zurich three times and Windermere twice. I am running marathons and ultras again but have dusted off the Speedos and am back in the pool.
Locations guided on
2018 will be the eleventh year I have guided on the LDT tours and I have guided on the 10km weeks since they started in 2016. I have also guided on the Greek Cyclades in 2018.
Most memorable swim moment
Walking out onto Wissant Beach in France 13 hours and 17 minutes after I had walked into the sea off Shakespeare Beach in Dover to finally become a Channel swimmer. It remains my most memorable and most empowering moment in open water swimming.
Top swimming tip
When you think you can't, you can. When you think you are at the end of your ability and endurance, you aren't. Swim, swim and swim some more until you run out of sea or lake. Then you may stop and bask in the glory of your achievement.
Interesting fact about you
I write, I make art, I juggle, I used to ride a unicycle for fun, whilst juggling (but I also fell off a lot - so I don't do it anymore!)
Peter Carr
Swim history before SwimTrek
37 Seasons as a beach lifeguard in West Cornwall.
Locations guided on
Croatia Dalmatian Coast, Croatia Short Swims and Montenegro.
Top swimming tip
High elbows!
Most memorable swim moment
Accidentally stepping into deep water in a rock pool when I was 4.
Interesting fact about you
Dual nationality English/Australian due to being born in Australia
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!
Neil Bowers
A relatively late convert to open water swimming, Neil has competed nationally and internationally at swimming and waterpolo, captaining the England waterpolo team to a Bronze medal in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
A qualified and experienced swim coach, Neil has built up a wealth of open water expertise over the last few years working on many Swimtrek destinations. Often to be found swimming in the cooler waters of the Lake District, North Sea and West coast of UK.
Dionne Tatlow
Swim history before SwimTrek
Growing up I always gravitated towards water activities and spent the majority of my summers at the lake, and then taking swimming lessons throughout the winter. I began recreationally lane swimming during my undergraduate degree and then started training with a Masters team in Toronto while in Chiropractic College. During my time in Toronto I completely fell in love with swimming and have since immersed myself in all facets of the sport; from treating swimmers, coaching, organizing a local race, and of course, spending endless hours in the water myself!
Most memorable swim moment
Perhaps my first SwimTrek swim! In the Aeolian Islands we swam along the coast of Vulcano and I couldn’t stop smiling. The scenery was gorgeous, the water was unbelievably blue, and the group was a lot of fun. I got out of the water and the only thing I managed to verbalize was “I’m so happy, just so, so happy!” I said it so much that it became a running joke throughout the trip!
Top swimming tip
One-armed and balance-driven drills are very effective. They do a fantastic job of highlighting and correcting asymmetries in strength and mobility while engaging the core; all of which are very important factors for efficiency and injury prevention.
Interesting fact
I live 236km from the nearest pool, but only 30m from a big, beautiful freshwater lake. It makes for a long winter with a lot of driving, but in the summer I can swim home from work!
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.
Bruce Allender
Swim history before SwimTrek
I had the privilege of learning to swim at the Colombo Swimming Club in Sri Lanka and enjoyed the tropical ambiance. Good fortune continued with an adolescence in Perth, Western Australia, swimming in the river, ocean, and pool playing water polo, club swimming, life saving and SCUBA diving. Along the way I qualified with a Diploma from the RLSS, and as a competition swimming event official. I kept swimming with masters swimming in the USA and back in Australia, despite the encumbrance of a corporate career. Now with the flexibility of project consultancy work, I compete, coach and train coaches of masters swimming in Melbourne and still officiate at swim meets. A work-life balance that works for me.
Locations guided on
Three seasons working in Croatia, Turkey, and on the UK Corryvreckan, Lake District, Seven Sisters and Brighton tours and programs.
Most memorable swim moment
SwimTrek just makes life better. All the trips have been memorable, because of the people, the good times in and out of the water, and the locations. One particular memory at the Corryvreckan whirlpool I was informed by a guest this was the first time she had swum in the sea. I swam along with her and we both made it comfortably.
Top swimming tip
To really enjoy open water swimming you just need two things: a positive attitude – I can do this, I have prepared for it; and swim goggles that are comfortable, ones that don’t leak and that are pre-tested by you. They are your best friend, so wash, clean and love them (and bring a spare).
Interesting fact
I am always open to new experiences and new people, just about anywhere but preferably with a pool or beach nearby.
Tellervo Maukonen
Swim history before SwimTrek
I've been swimming as long as I can remember, but my obsession with open water swimming really started in 2011 when I went on my first SwimTrek trip to the Greek Cyclades as a guest. Skip to 2013 (via two more SwimTrek LDTs, a Windermere swim, a couple of Channel Relays, and a solo English Channel swim) when I decided to devote my life to swimming and qualified as a swimming teacher and SwimTrek Guide. I am from Finland originally but I'm now based in London working full-time as a swimming instructor, except when I'm off SwimTrekking, of course.
Locations guided on
In 2014, I spent some time in Sali, Croatia and lots of time in Mallorca on both the Coaching and Luxury trips. I also had the pleasure of being on the inaugural Baltic Lakes trip to Lithuania and the even greater pleasure of returning there for 2015. I have also guided on the beautiful stretch of the Thames summer 2015.
Most memorable swim moment
The final few arm pulls before scrambling onto a dry boulder at Cap Gris Nez.
Top swimming tip
Think up songs in your head that match the rhythm of your swim, and sing them while you swim, it's good fun and it helps to fight the demons that creep out of the cold and the fatigue. I'm pretty sure it's also a jellyfish deterrent, but the evidence on that is merely anecdotal, and really quite patchy, it may just be my singing that scares them away...
Interesting fact
When I'm not in the water, I'm thinking about it. I was also the first Finnish Woman to swim the English Channel.
Marlys Cappaert
Swim history before SwimTrek
My mother’s requirements for ‘graduating from home’ included being able to swim. No family outing was without a stop at a lake, a waterfall, a rapid, or at the very least, a motel with a pool. I've been in the water ever since. I coach and swim with a US Master’s Team in Oregon. We’re always looking for open water adventures, currently on a long-term quest to swim across all 200 large lakes in Oregon. My mother taught me well, no vacation is without an epic swim, such as Maui, Lake Tahoe, Alcatraz, and The Great Lakes. My first SwimTrek was in Greece and I knew then I wanted to be a guide. After subsequent trips to Croatia and BVI, I realized my dream and guided in Turkey. It was the best month of my life. It gives me tremendous pleasure to enable others to enjoy the magic of the open water.
Locations guided on
Turkey, Mallorca, Greece, Lithuania, Galapagos, River Canyons Arizona
Most memorable swim moment
My next swim
Top swimming tip
Attention to core strength will promote good body position. A core-driven stroke will enable you to establish a strong relaxed rhythm in the water.
Interesting fact about me
I built the house I live in.
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