Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Fern Paton
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have always been a water baby - I grew up on the beaches of Cornwall and started training with my local Surf Life Saving Club when I was 8 years old. I later joined my local swimming club and trained routinely through my school studies with them. Although I loved this pool based training, I have always lived for the spring and summer months when I can start and end my day with a sunny sea or seapool swim, the open water events also kick in and we can go on expeditions along the coast.
After finishing my studies, I flew to Australia for a gap year where, despite facing challenges of 'stinger season' and not having set times in the week dedicated to swim training, I loved discovering good swimming spots - finding ocean pools and much clearer seas than at home!
Most memorable swim moment
One that stands out is the sea swim at a particular Cornish Surf Club Nipper championships where I pretty much rolled onto Portreath beach as a 10 year old Nipper, covered from head to toe in sand and seaweed, after completing a swim through 6 foot waves and a stormy shore dump!
Top swimming tip
Remember that you never regret a swim and ALWAYS pack a spare hat!
Interesting fact
I could swim before I could walk!
Georgia Landy
Swim history before SwimTrek
Living by the coast has meant that swimming in open water has been a huge part of my life. Some of my earliest memories are in swimming pools on holiday with family, or competing in local club galas. I have always had a competitive spirit and spent a lot of my childhood and teenage years competing in swimming competitions with school or college. It then transitioned to triathlons that were a mix of pool or open water. One of my favourite memories from childhood was taking part in my local club-sponsored mile sea swim with my family. For the last 6 years, I have worked for the RNLI as a beach lifeguard along the South East coast. I have had the opportunity to work with incredible people who also love the sea and swimming almost as much as I do.
Most memorable swim moment
Whilst at work one afternoon, the beach was very quiet due to the rain and cold weather so I decided to go for a swim. As I had reached the yellow buoys a few hundred meters off the shoreline, a seal pup popped up no more than a few meters away from me. The pup just stared and started swimming and splashing around me seeming to want to play. I kept swimming along and the seal just followed along when another seal seemed to join. They just seemed to follow me on my training session and just stopped every so often to have a look. It was very surreal with the rain hitting the sea, but it just reminded me just how much I love exploring the open water.
Top swimming tip
Nice slow and controlled breathing will make a swim so much smoother and more enjoyable. Take a big gulp of air, and slowly blow that breath out to allow your arms to naturally roll over the water. This will make a swim far more efficient and therefore increase swimming capacity.
Interesting fact
I once did first aid on a member of the royal family.
Billy Carr
Swim history before swimtrek
Pretty much growing up on the beach at Gwithian in South West Cornwall meant that being in and around the sea was my motive for as long as I can remember and being an RNLI lifeguard for 8 years from the age of 15 definitely allowed me to do that as a job. Runs and swims on the beach was a regular activity during the quieter days, and we had weekly training sessions in the pool to keep us in good fitness for our monthly timed swim.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming up Narooma inlet on the East coast of Australia with stingrays twice my size was definitely one that I’d struggle to forget.
Top Swimming tip
Stretch your stroke out as far as you can, imagine you are reaching for the furthest part of water each time your arm goes back in.
Interesting fact
I am the third ‘Carr' to join the SwimTrek team after my dad Pete and brother Stan! Big shoes to fill.
Stephen Pratt
Swim History
Swimming has been one of the most rewarding pursuits in my life, allowing me to forge friendships around the world, coach swimmers to personal bests, watch my daughters compete in collegiate swimming and water polo, and explore the path less travelled via open water adventures. Growing up in San Diego, CA, I spent years as a beach lifeguard and competed in swimming and water polo, continuing water polo at the collegiate and masters levels. I’ve enjoyed many open water swims both as a solo swimmer and as a teammate. Some of my favourites are The Trans Tahoe Relay, Fort Point, Golden Gate, Roundtrip Alcatraz and The Maui Channel Swim. In addition, I find enormous gratification from coaching — both as a long-time Masters swim coach and for several years as a high school water polo coach.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
It's a tie between swimming under the Golden Gate Bridge alongside three gray whales and competing one of my years in The Trans Tahoe Relay as a family team.
Swimming Tip
Swim relaxed. Place your hand and then rotate your hips for full extension.
Interesting Fact
I’m proud to be a former United States Marine Corps infantry officer AND my taco recipe nearly became world famous when I was interviewed on a major NY radio talk show.
Hannah Lowther
Swim history before SwimTrek
As a child, I dreamt of being an Olympic swimmer as I trained and competed regularly from a young age. Team sport (lacrosse) took over at secondary school before I returned to the pool at Durham University with the water polo team. I discovered open water swimming when I signed up for a triathlon in 2015 and got accustomed to wearing a wetsuit. This had to change when I was invited into an English Channel relay team in 2018 where acclimatising to the cold without a wetsuit was key. I was a cold water novice then but the pandemic lockdown caused me to discover local outdoor rivers, tarns and waterfalls and since June 2020 I’ve been a year round swimmer. Professionally, I have taught and coached children, and personally I swim with a Thames open water swimming club. I love to discover bodies of water wherever I travel, both close to home and around the globe. Swimming outdoors is a big part of my lifestyle now, enjoying winter waterfall dips and summer long distance point to point adventures!
Most memorable swim moment
Jumping into the English Channel in the dark for my first leg of my Channel relay swim.
Top swimming tip
Always keep your swimming kit close by as you never know when a swim opportunity might arise!
Interesting fact
Having been a teacher and worked in education for 10 years, I quit my job in June 2023 to take a year of ‘Adventure Leave’. Since then, I’ve enjoyed exploring South America, Antarctica and Asia. Getting a role as a Guide at SwimTrek was a goal for this year so that I can experiment pursuing a career in swimming and travel, my two main interests!
Christine Murray
Swim history before SwimTrek
I grew up as a competitive pool swimmer in Australia, and after my fear of seaweed was conquered, I began to really love open water swimming. I now regularly participate in open water events, such as the Rottnest Channel Swim.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming past five turtles during the Keppel Island Swim, all at different points of the swim.
Top swimming tip
Always wear sunscreen and anti-chafe – don’t learn the hard way!
Interesting fact
I tore the meniscus in my right knee while doing a tumble turn (that’s hard to do!)
Chess Roffe Ridgard
Swim history before SwimTrek
As a teenager I swam competitively in pools but as an adult the competitive edge has subsided with every splash in outdoor big blue spaces! I now swim to see how far I can go and how much I can learn. My happy place is in the water, telling stories and creating memories with like-minded water worshipers. I am lucky enough to have experienced many wild swim locations and various swim events. My favourites to date are the Vidostern Simmet in Sweden (21k) and Lake Geneva (70k relay). You will also regularly find me through the winter months slipping in to chilly waters and letting out a few naughty swear words in the process. I previously worked for the National Open Water Coaching Association (NOWCA) as their Development Officer. Whilst there I founded their winter Sub10 Club initiative, created their Cold Water Induction videos and also developed the Introduction to Front Crawl courses which are taught at their Love Open Water venues. I continue to coach at Middle Dock in Canary Wharf which is a real hidden gem – it has by far the clearest and cleanest open water in London and is teeming with fish!
Most memorable swim moment
I was part of a 70k Lake Geneva relay team last summer. We were 28hrs into what had been a clear glassy swim and suddenly the clouds rolled in and the white horses started charging. I stepped up to the side of boat and before I knew it, the rail had dropped away and I was wrestling the waves. For an hour I punched through watery walls with our little sailboat Chupito racing alongside. I’ve never known swimming like it - having to hold your nerve, keeping your core super strong but flexible to the roll and timing each stroke to fall at the same time as the water. It’s by far the most challenging swim I’ve ever encountered but also the most rewarding. I will never forget the thrill of ‘beating’ the waves as we pulled into the bay and the water smoothed out. Me, Chupito, our swim team and the incredible crew that kept us safe throughout.
Top swimming tip
One at a time, flick each hand out in front of you like you’re trying to get a pesky little piece of seaweed off your hand. How your fingers fall is the position they should be in whilst you’re swimming - not held tight together but fingers spread slightly open. If you turn your hand over and study how it looks compared to when you close your fingers, you should see how much bigger your palm is when you release those fingers into the spread position. Practice keeping those fingers gently open with a firm controlled cupped palm for a better hand-paddle-catch position in the water.
Interesting fact about you
If you have an Amazon Alexa in your house you have likely already head me… or at least heard a certain part of me. I am, the farts of Alexa. That’s right, if you ask Alexa to fart you will be rewarded with one of 36 different bum toots - some fresh from my behind and others with added effects to make them sound cartoony. You’re welcome!
Cora Deane
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have been swimming for as long as I can remember, thanks to my Dad bringing me to teach me to swim soon after I even learned to walk! I began swimming at a competitive level when I was 8 years old in my local swimming club, and also surf- lifesaving during the summer seasons. I have also beach lifeguarded for 4 summer seasons on beaches along the coast of Clare on the west of Ireland. Swimming plays such a massive role in my life and I will always have a love for it!
Most memorable swim moment
When I was a little nipper (about 9 years old) in surf lifesaving I was taking part in a race. The waves were quite rough that day, a wave came and knocked a small jellyfish into my mouth and I swallowed it! Luckily enough it was a moon jelly so it didn't sting my insides. Safe to say they do not taste great.
Top swimming tip
Don't attack the water, glide through it.
Interesting fact
Studying marine science at university
Mark Tobin
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I've been swimming all my life, but really gravitated towards open water swimming when I started surf lifesaving in 2017. During the lockdowns, open water swimming became my main sport. I swam the Galway prom or in my local lake almost every day. In winter I swim with my university fitness squad for fun, but I make it a habit to get a dip in the sea as often as possible. This year I'm hoping to swim Galway Bay. I've competed in surf lifesaving every year since I started. Although I love the swim and board races, I am much better at beach sprinting, and I've won a small number of national medals. I almost love coaching as much as swimming. I've coached nippers in surf lifesaving for 3 years and have been an assistant coach for the senior Galway squad for 2 years. I have been a volunteer lifesaving instructor for 5 years, and have taught all class levels from beginners up to beachguards and poolguards. I take great pride in being able to spread my enthusiasm for the sport to others. I worked as a beach lifeguard in Galway for 4 years. A swim after work was always a great way to relax.
Most memorable swim moment
Spotting a wild starfish while racing some friends to a tidal island at Glassilaun beach in Connemara is probably my favourite swimming moment. The water is perfectly clear and the backdrop of the mountains makes it my favourite beach.
Top swimming tip
Good sighting can save you a huge amount of time and energy when you're open water swimming. I try to just bring my eyes out of the water, so your hips can stay high in the water and you waste less energy. Picking a distinct landmark and a good pair of goggles also makes it much easier. I always end up roughly where I want to go!
Interesting fact about me
I play drums in a band. We tried to enter the Eurovision Song Contest but we didn't get in.
Ewan Nolke
Swim History
Swam for my local club from the age of 7 and competed from the age of 12 at both the Irish longcourse and Short course Divison 1 championships every year. I have competed at the Irish varisties in 2022/2023 where I won the 50 free and back and was placed on the Irish Varsity team. Throughout the summer months I did a lifeguard sport called surflifesaving where each year I meddled and was selected from 2018-2020 on the Irish Senior team. I have competed in a number of open water races from 600-1000m and also hold a record in the beat the ferryman swim in Waterford.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming for the Irish varsity team in the Celtic games which was a competition where the top Irish and United kingdom university swimmers competed against each other. I competed in the 50m free and backcrawl and made the final in the 50 free which was a massive achievement in such a talented field.
Top swimming tip
When open water swimming being able to pop your head up mid stroke and check where the marker is can save you mid race a lot of time and prevent you missing a marker or swimming further then you are required. During a race this can change your race and help you beat a competitor without even having to swim faster. It is a simple mistake and once perfected it will divide you from the rest of the competitors’.
Interesting Fact
I moved to San Diego last summer and was a kayak tour guide and surf instructor in La Jolla. Surfing with Dolphins was definitely my favourite moment of my life.
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