Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
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.
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.
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!
Isobel Roche
Swim history before SwimTrek
Ive been a competitive swimmer from a young age! I compete in both the pool, open water and surf lifesaving. My interest in open water swimming comes from working as a beach lifeguard the last few summers. It was great especially during lockdown where I really took advantage of the sea! I teach all different levels of swimmers, from water babies, beginners, adults and club swimmers.
Most memorable swim moment
I was Chairperson of my university swimming club for 3 years. At Intervarsites in my last year of college, my team won the Female Overall Trophy for the first time ever! I was also so proud to win the 50m freestyle myself.
Top swimming tip
‘Its not how fast you swim, its how you swim fast’. A quote my coach always used to say, good technique is how you get faster.
Interesting fact
Studied Marine Science in University
Cian Ó Súilleabháin
Swim history before Swim Trek
I have always remembered being involved in ocean and water life. Swimming competitively with Ennis swimming and lifesaving club from a young age I was fortunate enough to make national finals and swim in some international meets. I played water polo with the University of Limerick and Guinness water polo club in national and international events during and after university. I spent 5 years teaching in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where I started a swimming club for adults and coached high school swimming teams there. I competed in many triathlons and adventure races in SE Asia. I have 10 years of beach lifeguard experience in Ireland and in the US on busy surfing beaches.
I love getting into lakes, rivers and oceans whenever I travel and I am home at most swimming out beyond big surf and body surfing back in.
I have a lifetime of spending time on, in and around the water and I love it. I’m currently living in the west of Ireland teaching in a secondary school. I spend my time swimming, surfing and spearfishing in the Atlantic. I am a member of Clare water safety and volunteer as a rapid response lifeguard during the winter months in the locality.
Most memorable swim moments
Last summer I got to swim alone out in the middle of Spanish Point Bay with a 20ft basking shark while wearing my free diving fins and snorkel. It was amazing swimming alongside such a gigantic creature.
I travelled to the bottom of New Zealand so I could swim and be geographically as far away from my hometown as possible on this round planet we live on. I’ve a pipe dream to make it to Campbell Island as it's the furthest land mass from Ireland. I loved following my friend Chris to international open water swimming competitions in China, Hong Kong, and Barcelona. I spent 6 nights aboard a live aboard lost on small islands in the Philippines swimming and free diving among reefs, shipwrecks, and fish…. eating great food, sleeping on tidy islands, hosted by individual families. Seeing the stars every night, with no service on my phone. Magical.
Top swimming tip
It is always worth jumping in for a swim, even just a dip. Stop thinking, just get in.
Interesting fact
The Moken people of many islands on the Andaman Sea have an eye adaptation where they can make their pupils smaller and alter their lens shape to such a degree that makes seeing underwater much more possible. Seals and dolphins have a similar adaptation, It is from spending generations living on the ocean. Moken children can see twice as well as their European counterparts.
Emily Clarke
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have been swimming competitively since I was about 10. In 2019 I was thrilled to became part of team GB as an open water marathon swimmer and I went to the European championships in 2022 to swim the 10K. As a pool swimmer, my main event was 1500m and 800m freestyle and I have won gold medals in these and a couple of other events at the British national championships. I have also enjoyed doing some part time work as an assistant coach at my club before I came to uni. I have lived by the sea my entire life and have spent most summers at the beach or on a boat, water-skiing and paddleboarding.
Most memorable swim moment
There are so many amazing experiences to choose from but I think coming out of my first international open water race takes the top spot. I had only just become a part of the British team and had never swam 10K before in a race. I was so proud to represent my country and that I had managed to swim so well with not much experience in this event. I will never forget the sprint to the finish board, fighting against two other girls, and realising I had placed so high, it was amazing.
Top swimming tip
My top tip for swimming is to relax, lengthen your stroke and slow things down. Easier said then done I know, but the more tense you are the less your stroke will flow and you end up wasting more energy. I find I actually swim quicker when my stroke rate slows down. Also, add a bit of rotation to your freestyle, it keeps the body high and gives you a longer reach.
Interesting fact
I have no sense of smell, I lost it when I was about 14 and haven’t smelled anything since.
Nicole van Os
Swim history before SwimTrek
I am told I could swim before I could walk, and spent a lot of my childhood in the water. I joined my local swimming club and regularly competed in county galas and club championships. When I was in my teens I joined the lifesaving team and have competed at the RLSS National Lifesaving Championships representing South East England. I spent 4 years lifeguarding at my local pool and qualified as a swimming teacher in 2006. I have taught all ages and abilities, and specialised in teaching nervous swimmers (often adults that had sadly had a traumatic experience in the water), swimmers with disabilities or additional needs. I have also taught diving and water polo as well as setting up a Rookie lifesaving club for children. I have been lucky enough to have travelled a lot and swum in some amazing locations around the world, however I never considered swimming in open water in the UK until covid hit and all the pools closed. I couldn’t believe what I had been missing out on! I immediately joined a sea swimming group and became a level 2 Open Water Swimming Coach.
Most memorable swim moment
A scary close encounter with 2 highly venomous sea snakes off the coast of Ishigaki Island, Japan. I was in shallow water when they slithered past underneath me. Needless to say I swam like the clappers after that!
Top swimming tip
Relax, breathe and enjoy the moment
Interesting fact about you
I have worked as a cowgirl, a painter & decorator, police officer and at one time, in a circus!
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