Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
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.
Morgan Humphreys
Swim history before SwimTrek
I grew up in Zimbabwe where most kids spend all their free time playing in the pool and I also swam competitively up to the junior national level. After moving to the UK I worked as a beach lifeguard in Kent for three years but my love of open water swimming didn't really blossom until I moved to Scotland. It was there on the west coast that I discovered how good it can feel to swim in nature - even when it's snowing! I've competed in a few off-road triathlons but my running always lets me down, I've never enjoyed it as much as swimming or cycling!
Locations guided on
Kornati Islands, Montenegro and Gulf of Corryvreckan.
Most memorable swim moment
The Sleeping Pool, Chinoyhi Caves in Zimbabwe. This is a system of caves that has many folklore stories attached to it involving magical powers. It is so deep that people have dived to 172m and not reached the bottom. The water is so crystal clear that when swimming in it, you almost feel as though you could be flying.
Top swimming tip
Always tell someone where you are planning to swim and when you expect to be back, be sure to check in with them when you do get back. This is good practice even if you are going in a group. Things can go wrong quickly in the sea and this information could be invaluable to the rescue services.
Interesting fact
Last year, I decided to quit my job and sell all of my belongings in order to cycle barefoot around the whole UK coastline, wild camping each night and taking my miniature dachshund for company.
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.
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.
Padraic 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 am a sprint backstroker by nature and decided to hang up my competition togs shortly after Nationals & Olympic Trials in 2012. From there I ventured in to Surf Lifesaving medalling at various meets such as Irish Nationals, German Cup and European Junior Championships. I embarked on a career in coaching in 2012 and am currently the head coach of the University of Limerick 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.
Locations guided on
Milos & Crete.
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.
Peter Carr
Swim history before SwimTrek
37 Seasons as a beach lifeguard in West Cornwall. I've spend so much time around the sea and grown very used to being near it across the years and seasons. The call of the water is still very strong for me!
Locations guided on
Croatia Dalmatian Coast, Croatia Short Swims and Montenegro. Three SwimTreks that are popular for their unique sunlit waters and coastal exploration. A swim in Croatia is not easily forgotten.
Top swimming tip
High elbows! It's one of the most common first areas we work on when it comes to improving swimming technique. Point the elbow up and fire out that arm into the catch!
Most memorable swim moment
Accidentally stepping into deep water in a rock pool when I was 4 - one memory I will definitely never forget. I think your first deep water experience always stays with you.
Interesting fact about you
I have dual nationality (English/Australian) due to the fact I was born in sunny Australia.
Ricky Andrews
Swim history before SwimTrek
I started out as a competitive swimmer for Romford Town Swimming Club. I dive into their Master’s sessions every now and then when I get a few days back home. Over the last decade I’ve managed to travel much whilst working along the way. A variety of jobs eventually lead to swim guiding. Beach/ Pool Lifeguarding, Divemaster, Deckhand, Barman, Activities Manager / Assistant Manager of a Hotel, Ski Host. In 2015 I was part of the first group of swimmers to cross between Corfu and Mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea- 10.5km for Sail4cancer. In 2017 as a duo, I swam the 20km length of Kohr Asham in Oman. Very recently I’ve taken to Freediving which is holding your breath underwater.
Locations guided on
Greece- Cyclades, Sporades, Milos, Ionian and Crete. Turkey, Portugal. Sicilian Aeolean Islands, Sardinia, Tremiti.Islands, Mallorca LDT and 10km, Tenerife, Ibiza, Dalamtian Coast, Uglian and Kornati Islands. River Thames, B.V.I’s, Slovenia, Oman, Mexico, Galapagos.
Most memorable swim moment
The Greek Island of Kastellorizo. Or the Island of Meis to the Turkish. From Kas, on the Turkey trip you can get a short ferry journey across. Local boat pilots take trips to a cave on the south side of the island. On a calm day the pilots will bring the boats inside, with all guests lying down to squeeze underneath the rocks at the entrance. They often allow you a quick dip. The Blue Grotto is a cavern illuminated by the reflection of sunlight from outside which leaves a bizarre blue glow, the awe has to be experienced from the water. Swimming back to the port from the Blue Grotto in Meis has definitely been a highlight of my time with SwimTrek. On the way we’ve spotted turtles, underwater cliffs and all the while you can see Turkey or Asia across the way.
Top swimming tip
Sighting and preparation… grab some good quality goggles and look after them. Your comfort in the water is essential because you may well be in the water for some time. To save fidgeting, get a pair that you have tried and trust, plus have a spare set ready to go. When it comes to using them in the sea there will be no excuses. Give them a rinse with fresh water after every swim and defog when necessary. There are many types available now but preferably try something with a wide range of vision. You’ll see more in and out of the water which will be beneficial for speed and enjoyment.
Interesting fact
I’m a huge fan of caves. Don’t get me started on caves.
Rosie Canby
Swim history before SwimTrek
I grew up by the sea and have always enjoyed being in the water. I learned to swim with my local swimming club and competed in local and county events before moving to triathlon at the age of 11, and going on to train with the triathlon performance squad at the University of Nottingham during my studies there. I have worked as a beach lifeguard in Eastbourne for the last 6 years and always swim on my lunch break when I have the opportunity. I love visiting new places and trying new water sports when I get the chance - I have done kayaking, SUP boarding, surfing, wakeboarding, jet-surfing, and windsurfing, and next on the list to attempt are kite-surfing and white-water rafting!
Most memorable swim moment
Lifeguarding on a film set and carrying mermaids through the water (their prosthetic tails were too heavy to allow them to swim).
Top swimming tip
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the environment and understand what the water is doing before you swim somewhere new. Ask someone local if possible, as they will always know the water best!
Interesting fact
I once sprained my ankle at my desk… office work is not for me!
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