Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
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.
Heidi Kearsey
Swim history before SwimTrek
I really can’t remember learning to swim (was thrown in before I could walk!) and have loved it ever since. I grew up competing in the pool but it was thanks to an amazing coach that I found my love of open water swimming. After that there was nothing that could stop me from diving in rivers, lakes and ultimately the sea which is now my favourite. I recently left the Army for whom I competed in inter-service championships both in the pool and the sea. It also led me to take part in a channel relay which was a great experience. I’m also a keen water polo player, having played at club and international level, so anyone who is up for a throw about is an instant favourite!
Locations guided on
Croatia – Kornati, Montenegran Fijords
Most memorable swim moment
My first swimrun event earlier this year in St Austell, Cornwall. Crystal clear waters, stunning views and meeting great bunch of people made for perfection.
Top swimming tip
Just relax and breath then everything else will fall into place.
Interesting fact
I play French horn and violin!
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.
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.
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