Meet our Guides
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.
Mike Ball
Swim History Before Swimtrek
Winner of the Cub's one width in 1967!!! 1968 joined Woolwich Swimming Club and went on to swim butterfly at national and international level. A career made me take a back step from swimming, encouraging me to play water polo reaching county and national levels. 2008, I was invited to the 2k sea swim at Eastbourne. After finishing I decided to attempt to swim the English Channel the following year. My 6 hour qualifier, much to my astonishment, was achieved on my first visit to Dover Harbour. I was now hooked on open water swimming.
Locations Guided On
I have guided on LDT only since 2013.
Most Memorable Swim Moments
Representing Great Britain at the World Life Saving Championships. Swimming the English Channel in 2009 and walking up the sandy beach of Cap.Gris.Nez In 12 hours 55 minutes.
Top Swim Tips
Always train hard and push yourself to your limit. Always complete a training session. Find different stroke techniques for long distance swimming. Keep your goggles away from Vaseline hands!
Interesting Swim Facts About You.
37 years as a London Police Officer, serving as a protection officer to high profile dignitaries. Police dog handler. Specialist explosive search officer. Advanced motor cyclist.
Mike Lisle
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have come into swim coaching from a triathlon background. I have competed in triathlon and Aquathlon for many years and have been fortunate enough to represent Great Britain at age-group level in European and World Championships all over the globe. I am a level 2 Triathlon coach and am lead open water coach for my club Merseytri. I also coach "Introduction to open water swimming" courses for my local authority Sefton at the local marina in Crosby. I have worked as a RNLI beach lifeguard and organise a joint annual sea Aquathlon for the lifeguards and triathlon club members. I still compete in Triathlon at the highest level I can and have taken up the exciting new sport of swimrun . Racing as a team adds a new dimension and of course glamorous locations enhance the experience.
Most memorable swim moment
The swim leg of the Escape From Alcatraz triathlon. This involves jumping off the Alcatraz ferry and swimming back to San Francisco. Breathing to the right gave me fantastic views of the Golden Gate bridge. My proudest swim achievement was closer to home. The cross-Mersey swim is just over a mile in distance but the "window" you get before the tide turns is less than half an hour so the last 50 metres feels like swimming in a sideways moving flume tank !
Top swimming tip
Check out water conditions before you start. Take into account the temperature/sea conditions and take local advice especially when swimming in a new location.
Interesting fact
I am a semi-retired P.E. teacher but keep myself busy with work as a film extra and licensed dog walker.
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
My first will be Kornati Islands in Croatia this summer.
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.
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
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.
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