Meet our Guides
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.
Fiona Southwell
Swim history before SwimTrek
Swam the English Channel in August 2009, the oldest woman to do so at that time. Have been a primary school teacher for 18 years. Was awarded channel swimming coach of the year 2016 and has coached and supported 2 world record swims. Holds the record for having the highest success rate for coaching solo swimmers across the English Channel.
Locations guided on
Gozo, Mallorca, Sicily, Turkey, Hellespont, Brighton Swim-days.
Most memorable swim moment
Feeling my feet touch the French beach after a 19 hour and 22 minute solo swim of the English Channel.
Top swimming tip
Keep a wide arm, spear a wave, don’t slap it! No more than a 2 to 4 beat leg-kick. Never exhale all the oxygen from your lung.
Interesting fact
In 1983, myself along with my husband introduced the concept of the Mongolian Barbecue to Great Britain and ran a successful chain of restaurants for over 30 years.
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.
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.
Jonathan Waugh
Swim History before SwimTrek
I grew up along the east coast of South Africa near Durban. The ocean was my backyard and where I spent countless hours surfing and swimming. I started surfing at the age of 8 and prior to this was involved in the junior lifesaving/nippers from the age of 6. Here I learned about the ocean and developed my love of the sea, the waves and the beach environment. My love of the ocean has taken me across the world to top surfing destinations including Indonesia, Europe and South America. I have 7 years experience as an RNLI Beach Lifeguard in Cornwall.
Locations guided on
Look forward to my first trips at Burgh Island and Milos in Greece.
Most memorable swim moment
When I was 8 years old, one of the lifeguards took me on on the front of his canoe far out to sea to look at a Humpback Whale. I lay on the front no more than 10 m away and watched in awe as it surfaced to have a look at us . Luckily it did not decide to breach at that time!
Top swimming tip
Get used to keeping your goggles on for long distance swimming. You can squint your eyes to allow a small amount of water to seep in to help keep them fog free.
Interesting fact
Geo-Environmental Consultant by trade
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.
Anna-Carin Nordin
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have been swimming my whole Life. I started swimming for a swim club at 6 years old and my longest time out of the water has been during a long and nasty cold or the 3 weeks after giving birth to my son Erik, I just love swimming. After my son was born I started my journey as an open water swimmer. I did a WC race in Copenhagen before I went to Dover. From there I started on my Seven Oceans journey. From 2010 to 2013 I was the first female to finish the Seven Oceans and second person in the World. In 2018 I got nominated to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.
Most memorable swim moment
When I completed the Seven Oceans with the North Channel swim in 2013.
Top swimming tip
Have everything ready; your favourite swimsuit, goggles and swim hat ready to go. An extra pair of your swim gear in your bag/ boat. Sun cream if necessary and maybe some Vaseline to prevent jellyfish stings. Sunglasses to protect your Eyes and even have dark swim goggles and light ones if you are going to swim in the dark.
Interesting fact
I'm going to build a house by the sea this summer!
Simon Emm
Swim history before SwimTrek
If it wasn't for living in New York State for a few years when I was young I may never have been a swimmer. Spending the long hot summers around the pool I taught myself to swim by constantly throwing myself into the water and making my way back to the side by any means possible, the draw of the water was just too much to resist. Upon returning to the UK I joined Cheltenham Swimming Club where I learnt to swim properly and competed at local, county and regional level, specialising in Butterfly. In my late teens and early twenties I got distracted with windsurfing until friends I used to compete with started representing Great Britain at major events and the Olympics. I was desperate to represent my country too so I returned to the pool and started training hard hoping I hadn't missed my opportunity. It didn't happen for me in the pool so I tried triathlons and this is when I discovered open water. I was coached, supported and encouraged by so many great people along the way and after many years trying I became the National 5k Open water champion 2 years on the trot and represented England and Great Britain. After this and for many years, I continued to swim just for pleasure but I now represent Colchester Masters and love swimming more than ever before, competing in various pool and open water events ranging from 50m to 10k. I have held numerous county and regional records/titles and national titles. In 2017 I went to the World Masters in Budapest and was delighted to come 3rd in the 200m Fly in my age group. In 2018 at the European Masters in Slovenia I managed to achieve the same, coming 3rd in the 200m Fly along with achieving other top 8 results and took part in two very enjoyable races in Lake Bled. I am a qualified Swimming Teacher, Open Water Coach, Open Water Lifeguard and hold an International Powerboat Licence. I am also actively involved with a company providing water safety at sporting events and festivals.
Locations guided on
My first trip will be Italy's Tremiti Islands located in the Adriatic Sea.
Most memorable swim moment
There are too many memorable moments for me to pick just one. One very special moment was crossing the finish line first at the National trials for the 5k and as a result being selected to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Vienna. Another was swimming across the English Channel as part of a relay team. Those moments gave me great pleasure but these days my most memorable and enjoyable moments are the times I spend with a great group of friends in the River Deben in Suffolk; the early mornings, watching the sun rise over the water, breaking the mirror-like water as I swim, smashing into waves, encountering seals along the way, seeing an air balloon kissing the water on a perfect day, the cold, the warmth, the laughter, the sheer joy of open water.
Top swimming tip
Listen to your body, relax and enjoy!
Interesting fact
I was suited and booted for far too many years but now feel over dressed in shorts and a t-shirt.
Alyson Spencer
Swim history before SwimTrek
I’ve always been a swimmer; competing for local clubs at County & Western County level, then university and on to Royal Air Force. My love for open water swimming came through the RAF getting to compete in events such as a Cross Channel relay race against the British Army, Royal Navy, University Air Squadron & Battle back teams. I remember watching a good friend of mine start and finish our relay and thinking I need to do this solo…......fast forward a few years, that mate who promised to be my ‘boat boy’ was cheering me on as I completed my English Channel solo (my greatest tip for inspiring channel swimmers pick a neap tide and not a high spring tide otherwise instead of a 10-12 hour swim expect longer!). I’ve also had the privilege to swim round the beautiful island of Jersey both as part of a relay team and as a solo, a swim I would highly recommend.
Locations guided on
This will be my first season with Swim Trek but I have swim guided in Lefkada in the Greek Islands.
Most memorable swim moment
This is a tricky one, but one of my most memorable swimming experiences was being part of the RAF team that become record holders for the fastest round jersey relay. The whole 10 hours was so exciting and extra special for me as it was a team event and only a few weeks after my English Channel solo.
Top swimming tip
Enjoy it! Especially on holiday, stop, admire where you are and the beautiful, crystal blue waters :)
Interesting fact
I’ve driven and been the brake woman on a bobsleigh; and it is as fast and exhilarating as it looks!
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