Meet our Guides
Tellervo Maukonen
Swim history before SwimTrek
I've been swimming as long as I can remember, but my obsession with open water swimming really started in 2011 when I went on my first SwimTrek trip to the Greek Cyclades as a guest. Skip to 2013 (via two more SwimTrek LDTs, a Windermere swim, a couple of Channel Relays, and a solo English Channel swim) when I decided to devote my life to swimming and qualified as a swimming teacher and SwimTrek Guide. I am from Finland originally but I've been based in the UK since 1998.
Locations guided on
Croatia (Dalmatian Coast & Kornati Islands); Mallorca (Coaching, LDT, & Short Escape); Greece (Cyclades & Milos); Lakes of Lithuania; River Thames; Durdle Door; Lake Bled & the Slovenian Alps; Baja Peninsula, Mexico; The Maldives; The Galapagos Islands
Most memorable swim moment
The final few arm pulls before scrambling onto a dry boulder at Cap Gris Nez.
Top swimming tip
Think up songs in your head that match the rhythm of your swim, and sing them while you swim, it's good fun and it helps to fight the demons that creep out of the cold and the fatigue. I'm pretty sure it's also a jellyfish deterrent, but the evidence on that is merely anecdotal, and really quite patchy, it may just be my singing that scares them away...
Interesting fact
When I'm not in the water, I'm thinking about it. I was also the first Finnish Woman to swim the English Channel.
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.
Edmondo Paciocco
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have been swimming since I was a child in the sea every summer. I learned the fundamentals in the open water and then I mastered my technique in a swimming pool, joining a group of master swimmers for 2 years in my home town, Chieti in Italy. Even though I played basketball for 14 years, the love for the water and team sports made me play water polo for a Scottish university were I currently study Sport Science and work as a swim teacher, lifeguard and sport assistant. In 2015 I joined the ASD Swimtrekking, which is an open water swim club settled in Rome and I have been guiding a group of guests in Itacha, Greece for 9 days with Francesco Cavaliere. As a guide I was in the water, swimming along the coastline of Itacha with the guests/swimmers and I fell in love with the variety of sea plants and the underwater ruins that we found along the way.
Locations guided on:
Tremiti Island, Italy.
Most Memorable swim moments:
I was swimming in Itacha and suddenly I saw a moray hiding in a rock hole looking at me without moving. I thought it was going to eat me at some point because we were staring at each other for a while but nothing happened so I was pleased at the very end…
Best Swimming tips:
1) If you are tired, just stop, relax, and take some time to explore the surrounding areas. Never push yourself in the open water unsupervised. We are nothing compared to the power of the sea. - Darth Vader.
2) If you see a jellyfish...don’t panic!
Interesting facts about myself.
I’ve been dancing professionally for 3 years . When I was 19 years old I won the gold medal at the Italian National Championships of Caribbean Dance, in Rimini. If I hear the music I can’t stop!
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