Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Simon Murie
A solo English Channel Swimmer and swim coach, he still guides on some of the tours himself. Continuing his swimming adventures around the world, in 2009 Simon swam across the River Volta in Ghana and broke the Australian record for swimming across the Gibraltar Straits; in 2010 he swam to the Isle of Wight. He spends a lot of his time now scouting for new SwimTrek locations.
Simon founded SwimTrek, after spending many years organising open water swimming trips for himself and others. Originally from Australia, Simon lives in the UK and prior to SwimTrek, was working overseas in the mining industry.
He was introduced to open water early by both his mother and father. His most memorable open water swim was the Hellespont in Turkey, which he first completed in 2000.
Tasmin Powell
Swim history before SwimTrek
I started swimming in the sea with the Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club (JLDSC) at 8 years old, gradually spending more and more time in the sea around the stunning beaches of Jersey. My first taste of open water swimming came at 12 swimming around Jersey in a relay, then moving onto a solo swim 3 years later. In between I also swam Lake Coniston and the English Channel in another relay.
The next couple of years was spent crewing for a number of English Channel swims, including a successful double Channel, round Jersey and Jersey to France swims, spending a lot of time in a kayak. Then in 2015 I also swam from Jersey to France, with what appeared to be half the worlds population of jellyfish standing between me and the French beach.
Most memorable swim moment
My most memorable moment has to be during a particularly tough hour of my Jersey to France swim one of my crew fell spectacularly into the water while handing me a new set of goggles.
Top swimming tip
My top tip, having taught children to swim, take it back to basics, if you’re not blowing bubbles you’re not breathing right.
Interesting fact
I have a Fine Art Degree and love to knit and crochet.
Tim Whitefield
Swim history before SwimTrek
My deep connection with the ocean began as a young kid growing up on the beaches of Durban, South Africa. Endless summers spent surfing or being hurled about in the shore break has left an indelible mark on me and as a result I have spent most of my life either in the sea or on it. I work as a RNLI beach lifeguard as well as operating a water sports adventure company, based in Cornwall.
Locations guided on
Cornwall, Outer Hebrides and Greece Cyclades.
Most memorable swim moment
There’s a lighthouse in Cornwall which has a cave that runs through it. Only accessible at spring low tides, it’s home to packs of seals, almost pitch black with a very small underwater hole as an exit. To return to the shore you have to beat the racing tide or be swept down the coast…epic!!!
Top swimming tip
Relax and enjoy the ride.
Interesting fact about you
If I could surf everyday, I would.
Trina Requena
Life before SwimTrek
Growing up on the South Coast, Brighton, meant that the Ocean was a big part of my life. My father apparently threw me in at Croyde Bay, that was my intro to swimming! My love for the water has taken me on a journey with its ever changing beauty, whether surfing, swimming , diving or simply just being. The Ocean is my refuge, my temple! I left for New Zealand to become a yoga teacher in 2000. I trained as an Iyengar teacher and over a period of nine years, travelled and lived in NZ, OZ and time in Indonesia. I began to see the incredible connection to swimming/surfing and yoga. I came back home to Brighton where I started up Ocean Spirit Swim School. Teaching children and adults of all ages. Along side Yoga mixing the two and developing a programme of these two essential disciplines. The combination of Swimming and Yoga has brought me an awareness of not only myself but how I teach and how I live my life on a daily basis and the environment I find myself in. It is with this knowledge and passion I want to translate to all I meet.
Swim & Yoga Holidays
I have guided on Swim/Yoga Crete and Lithuania. With many more destinations on the horizon!
Most memorable swim moment
Being six months pregnant with my son, swimming on the South Island where I lived, a little place called Kekerengu on the coast, edge of the pacific, dolphins joining me on my daily morning natural swim, the local Mauri,s say the dolphins sensed my pregnancy! Special, special moment…
Top Swimming Tip
Swimming and Yoga together creates a beautiful swimmer who glides effortlessly and becomes one with the water. My ethos Effortless Effort whether land or sea. Become one with the water…
Interesting fact about you
I was late to see his Holiness the Dali Lama so security rushed me in and I had to sit down in front of him, as I sat down he looked me in the eye and smiled squeezed my arms, my son laying across my heart , he had a smile that filled his whole being!! From then on my practice is to never rush, stay present, stay mindful. Live life to the full, focus on what matters and let go of what doesn’t.
Vicki Linton-Crook
Swim history before SwimTrek
Competed from a young age at national level and progressed into Masters in the last 8 years. I have been consistently ranked in the top three in freestyle and backstroke events over the last few years. Now a GB records holder in 800m & 1500m freestyle, World record holder in 4x100m ladies freestyle relay, GB record holder in 4 x 50m ladies freestyle relay. 3 times European record holder in 4 x 200 ladies relay. Once I tried open water swimming, I got hooked wining the 1500m Windsor River swim and Adur River swim, but there is nothing better than a chilled swim with friends. In 2015 I swam the Gibraltar Straits clocking the 3rd fastest female. It was an amazing swim. In my spare time I love to coach, my aim is to help each individual achieve what they want to achieve with their swimming.
Locations guided on
Croatia, Greece, Malta, Thames, Jurassic Coast, Burgh Island, Loch Ness!!
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming in Lake Garda. Every time I breathed to one side I could see the view down the lake and the amazing mountainous setting, it was magical. A special time as I was swimming with all my friends and my husband was in the safety kayak.
Top swimming tip
We’re all different, find the things you need to work on to make the most of your swimming. Mine are to breathe out and hips up!
Interesting fact
When not swimming or swim coaching I might be found on a mountain bike.
Ray Smith
Swim history before SwimTrek
I was an adequate club swimmer as a youngster, but that stopped when I was hit by a car and spent some time in a wheelchair. I returned to swimming many years later and had some moderate success in open water races between 3k and 10k. However, being more enthusiastic than talented, I needed to improve my technique which took me to a variety of coaches and eventually into coaching itself. There's no better way to truly understand something than by trying to help others with it. The journey towards true understanding is never ending, but very much worth undertaking. For a bit of adventure I moved on to colder water and longer distances and this led me on to an ice mile, three English Channel relays and a Channel Solo.
Most memorable swim moment
Surprisingly, it's not the Channel or the Ice Mile - they were long, cold, uncomfortable and uneventful. Just as I had planned. I have much more vivid memories of the times I have encountered wildlife. Most memorably, the time I bumped into another swimmer while sea swimming and stopped to apologise, only to find that no one was there - but there was a huge Barrel Jellyfish wider than me! He accepted my apology and we parted friends.
Top Swimming Tips
On long leisure swims: Relax and be mindful: Swimming is better when you relax - easier, faster and more fun. Remain aware of what you are doing and be your own internal coach. On Challenge swims: Remember that 'This too shall pass' and 'Success is on the far side of discomfort' - so as Churchill said: 'If you are going through Hell, Keep going'
Interesting Fact
I'm currently exploring the world of self-supported swimming by towing small boats.
Ciara Murray
Swim history before SwimTrek
I swam competitively as a child, peaking at the ripe age of 12. I then took a bit of a break from swimming in my mid-teens, but got back into it when I started working as a beach lifeguard. I lifeguarded for 4 summers in Galway, and trained with the Galway Surf-lifesaving team. I also spent several years teaching swimming and lifesaving, and have recently been swimming with my college swim team. During the pandemic, I really fell in love with the sea and went for a swim or a dip almost every day. I organised a student sea swimming group during this time and we joined the wonderful community of sea swimmers at Blackrock Diving Tower. As a medical student, I tend to be very busy, but I always try to find the time for a swim in the sea. It’s a fantastic way to clear your head and improve your mood.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming across Galway Bay with a group of my closest friends.
Top Swimming Tips
Get a group of friends together, it’s so much easier to get out if you have someone else holding you accountable. Also, wear your togs under your clothes so you can’t back out when you get there!
Interesting Fact
I once dislocated my knee while surfing, popped it back in, then continued surfing.
Jason Brandt
Swim history before Swim Trek:
I became a strong open water swimmer about 10 years ago. After seeing my children become regular fish in the water, I dedicated myself to taking lessons and coaching with masters swimming to learn to swim efficiently. Now swimming is one of my favourite sports! It also opened the door to triathlon where I’ve now completed over 10 full distance Ironman Triathlons. I’ve also become an advanced open water scuba diver. And finally, I discovered SwimTrek and the joy of combining swimming and vacation with two trips as a guest to the Galapagos and Baja Mexico.
Most memorable swim moment:
Completing the Alcatraz Swim in San Francisco, CA! Alcatraz prison was said to be inescapable due to the cold water, strong tides and shark infested waters that would surely prevent an escapee from making it to mainland. While that may be lore, it was very cool to swim with good friends and be cheered on at the finish by my wife.
Top swimming tip:
Be comfortable bilateral breathing. Open water swimming presents its own challenges with waves, sunlight and pack swimming. Being comfortable breathing on both sides makes for a more enjoyable experience. Oh and treat yourself to new goggles before an event or trip.
Interesting fact (about yourself):
My son and I love mountain climbing and just recently summited Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Alessandra Masala
Swim history before SwimTrek
In my life I have always cultivated my two greatest passions with great enthusiasm: one for swimming and one for Art. I have been swimming since I was 4 and have certainly spent more time in the water than out. I was a professional swimmer at national level, with experiences in international competitions. I am a swimming teacher and lifeguard since 2005 and after finishing my university career with a Master Degree in History of Contemporary Art, I spent my days working in museums and teaching in the swimming pool. Since 2007 I work as an Open Water swimming guide and I organize swimming trips for children, adolescents and adults. My goal is to transmit, through knowledge, respect for our greatest friend, the sea. I am very sensible in humanitarian and environmental issues and I am part of the Legambiente Onlus, the most important Italian non-profit environmental association. I am a passionate lover of the sea and everything that concerns it. Since 2018 I have been organizing and promoting events, training courses and workshops on Yoga, Freediving, Swimming Technique, Marine Biology, First Aid, Safety at Sea and Environmentalism related to Open Water Swimming. I love to practice many sports and in recent years I have been dedicating myself to improving my freediving skills.
Most memorable swim moment
It's still printed in my eyes. It was on the Asinara Island, North-West Sardinia. I was leading a group of children on a swimming exploration along the coast. A giant ray comes to meet us. I try to show it to the whole group but many of them failed. I invite everyone to put their heads under the water again… maybe the ray will come back. At that moment a line of six giant rays are swimming towards us and, to close the group, the smallest and cutest of them tried to swim as fast as possible to keep up with the group. The guys and I didn't speak for a long time, incredulous for the wonderful scenery we've witnessed.
Top swimming tip
Breathe deeply, clear your mind and enjoy the sensations your body has in the water. Remember we are marine animals. By listening to our body we can rediscover the deep connection we have with water - our primordial environment.
Interesting fact
I live according to my instincts and I follow with all my strength what I love most. I like to observe the sea and learn from it.
Mike Sapounas
Swim history before swimtrek
I grew up in the east suburbs of Athens/Greece where the closest beach was a five-minute walking distance from my house. As a result, swimming was a daily activity in my life from a very young age. In 2012, I joined a triathlon team and since then I have participated in 4 local triathlon competitions. The last few years, I find great joy and fulfillment in swimming all year round with friends who share the same passion as me!
Most memorable swim moments
Swimming in the winter at the north side of Crete and looking at the magnificent snowy White Mountains in every breath!!
Top swim tip
Keep calm, Breath, Glide, Enjoy!
Interesting fact
Skydiving once wasn’t enough for me – I have to do it again!
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