Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
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.
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!
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
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.
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