Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
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.
Sarah Huntley
Swim history before SwimTrek
I loved swimming as a kid and remember spending most of my summer holidays in our local pool! I then swum with Hailsham Swimming Club until my teenage years. I re-discovered my love for swimming whilst at university, and played waterpolo for a few years which was great fun. I took up triathlon after graduating from university, and raced up to Half Ironman distance, before deciding to focus on open water swimming. I compete in events up to 10km and completed an English Channel relay swim in August 2018. In 2019, I went back to multi-sport, and raced in the Aquathlon Age-Group World Championships in Spain. Now, I swim for fun and just love being in open water, whatever the weather!
Locations guided on
Lake Bled Slovenia Alps & Ionian Explorer (Sivota, Greece)
Most memorable swim moment
This was during the English Channel relay swim in 2018 - I was lucky enough to be swimming a leg just as the sun was setting. It was an incredible feeling to be out in the middle of the Channel, feeling the last of the sun's warmth on a beautiful August day. I had to pinch myself to make sure it was real and not an elaborate dream!
Top swimming tip
Often in swimming it can become all about racing, results and outcomes. In my day job as a sport psychologist, I encourage people to think about why they swim, and their motivation for doing so. More often than not, it's about the intrinsic enjoyment of being in the water and the physical and psychological benefits gained from spending time in nature and also in water. Sometimes, I have to remind myself just that - swimming for swimming's sake is enough of a reason to swim.
Interesting fact
I am currently converting a Mercedes Sprinter van into a new home - and look forward to spending next summer making the most of being a digital nomad - combined with guiding on a few SwimTrek trips too!
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile
Click to view profile