Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Nicole Araujo
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!
Kaja Simonsen-Brickley
Swim history before swim trek:
I have been lucky enough to have grown up always being near open water and would love to keep it that way. I have spent many summers swimming in the fjords of Norway with family alongside winter trips to the Canary Islands. Although I love the summers, I also enjoy cold dips in the sea in the winter as long as there's a warm shower near! I was a competitive triathlete from age 7 upwards competing in the National Series, travelling across the UK for races. This included plenty of early morning swimming sessions and racing in a lot of gross murky lakes. I have competed in open water events such as the river Arun 3.8km swim and more recently competed in the Byron bay classic swim in 2022. I have been an assistant swim coach for junior swimmers from learners through to those competing in national competitions. Providing technical help and patience, as well as ensuring a love and passion for the water.
Most memorable swim moment:
I am yet to swim with dolphins but I have swam in a lake with a crocodile in Australia.
Top swimming tip:
Hold the water, minimal extra movement for efficiency.
Interesting fact:
Aged 8 won a hula hooping competition on the ferry to Denmark.
Doug McLaren
Swim history before SwimTrek
From the early teens I was an active member of the Surf life saving movement in southern Australia along the Great Ocean road (Victoria) in a town called Port Fairy. I continued to maintain an active interest in surfing and ocean swimming while working in and managing aquatic facilities which also involved swim coaching. This led to a further career in hospitality with management and operational positions in sports related resorts and clubs located on the Gold Coast, Queensland where I have lived for the last 37 years. From an early age I have travelled Australia extensively and participated in many open water swims where and when opportunity permits around this vast country. I intend to continue the aquatic journey.
Locations guided on
Croatia, Montenegro.
Most memorable swim moment
Cinque Terre village swims on the La Spezia coast in Italy. Turkey Dardanelles swim. Lorne Australia, the iconic pier to pubs inaugural 5k race. Lake Como, Italy.
Top swimming tip
Relax in a good prone position looking downwards more than looking forward. Don't over kick and become comfortable with expiring air into the water mostly via the nasal area. This will allow you good inhalation via your mouth in your stroke rotation and timing. This is an important skill on longer swims. Don't look up and sight too often as you will tire quickly. Trust yourself to relax in between the necessary sightings. Learn or ask an open water coach or swim buddies on other ways to assist you in a correct swim course line. It can be done.
Interesting fact
I'm one swim away from a good mood
Arnaud Gonzalez
Most memorable swim moment:
Since my childhood, I Always enjoyed been in the water and doing water sport related activities. I had the chance to be able to move to Bali in 2002 and still live there since this time I have been a scuba diver Instructor since 2003 and a Free diving instructor since 2016 so spending most of my days in the water from the last 20 years. During the last 3 years I pick up on swimming alternating on pool session and ocean swimming because i needed a bit more exercises and because I live five minutes away from a very nice house reef as well it to help me improve my paddling technics for surfing and endurance.
Most memorable swim moment:
One of the best memory I have swimming is when i was a little boy probably around 7 years old my uncle anchor his small boat of the coast of Mallorca and swim me until the shore it was a kind of magical moment and even if the swim was challenging at this time it always left me with a sense of a great accomplishment and boosted my trust in my capacities and my self-esteem.
Top swimming tip:
One of the best swimming tip I got was try to splash as little as possible and to be aware of the hydrodynamic of your movements to avoid wasting energy for nothing.
Interesting fact:
Water is the driving force of all nature.
Mike Ball
Swim History Before Swimtrek
Winner of the Cub's one width in 1967!!! 1968 joined Woolwich Swimming Club and went on to swim butterfly at national and international level. A career made me take a back step from swimming, encouraging me to play water polo reaching county and national levels. 2008, I was invited to the 2k sea swim at Eastbourne. After finishing I decided to attempt to swim the English Channel the following year. My 6 hour qualifier, much to my astonishment, was achieved on my first visit to Dover Harbour. I was now hooked on open water swimming.
Locations Guided On
I have guided on LDT only since 2013.
Most Memorable Swim Moments
Representing Great Britain at the World Life Saving Championships. Swimming the English Channel in 2009 and walking up the sandy beach of Cap.Gris.Nez In 12 hours 55 minutes.
Top Swim Tips
Always train hard and push yourself to your limit. Always complete a training session. Find different stroke techniques for long distance swimming. Keep your goggles away from Vaseline hands!
Interesting Swim Facts About You.
37 years as a London Police Officer, serving as a protection officer to high profile dignitaries. Police dog handler. Specialist explosive search officer. Advanced motor cyclist.
Ant Jacobs
Swim history before Swim Trek
I grew up in Cape Town. Living by the ocean swimming, water polo and surfing were a big part of my lifestyle and development.
I combine my technique based front crawl and open water coaching with detailed video analysis which I’ve being doing for 8 years.
I am an experienced and passionate open water swimmer.
I also played Provincial Water-Polo in South Africa and enjoy open water swimming, mountain biking and kayaking. Locations guided on
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Town with a pod of dolphins, and seeing a Cormorant metres in front of me underwater catch a fish, whilst swimming in Spain
Top swimming tip
Swimming for me is about maintaining head spine alignment (body position) relaxed breathing and good technique.
Interesting fact
Surfed big waves off the South Eastern coast of Madagascar (Ifaty) Scary, but fun.
Aoife Madigan
Swim History
I've been in swimming club since I was 8 and swam competitively till Covid. Still part of university swimming team but more just for fun. Up till last October I was on the Irish Surf lifesaving team and competed at the 2022 World championships and got to a final. I now teach swimming lessons to kids and a few adult lessons. I also have life guarded on the beaches of Clare the past few Summers, in west of Ireland.
Most Memorable Swimming Moment
Racing in Biarritz and getting absolutely pummelled by waves- came dead last but it was great to experience the power of the sea and come out unscathed. (Some didn’t)
Top Swimming Tip
Keep your head still, if you move it, your body wiggles side to side
Interesting fact about you
My ears are too small to fit earphones and I’ve no bone in my nose.
Rosie Smith
Swim history before SwimTrek
Growing up in Devon, UK I spent a huge amount of time in the water; from squad swimming through school, to surf lifesaving and life guarding full time on the beaches, and racing triathlons too. I migrated to warmer climates after University, living in Western Australia ever since and working in various water related jobs including swim teaching, and kayak tour guiding, amongst many many others!
Most memorable swim moment
A 10km open water swimming race between two remote tropical islands in the company of turtles, dolphins and friendly sharks!
Top swimming tip
I find it really helpful to practice breathing every 3, 5, 7, and 9 strokes in training (only if your happy doing that!) - I find it makes me more comfortable in rough/choppy seas, if I miss taking a breath or two due to the waves. And also enjoy yourself out there! Smile at yourself swimming!
Interesting fact
I once got an award for ‘Rock Running’ the furthest distance underwater, and I’m currently working on perfecting my bubble ring technique!
Maia Brundage
Swim history before SwimTrek
As the daughter of a swim-obsessed father, it's no surprise that I fell in love with swimming! While my earliest career aspirations of mermaid/marine-biologist have yet to come to fruition, I've continued honing my skills for that future! From a young age, I began competing for my local team in Arizona. When I finally got sick of the sun, I moved to Canada to experience rain, snow, and cold water swimming. Whilst in Vancouver, I had the honour of competing for the University of British Columbia and coaching their master's team. Throughout my life I've lifeguarded, taught swimming lessons, and coached folks of all ages! My recent decision to move to Brighton to complete my teacher training was 100% based on Brighton's proximity to the sea.
Most memorable swim moment
In the pool: Competing in a 3-generation relay with my Dad, Grandad, and Aunt at US Master's nationals in 2016! In the sea: Playing tag with a friendly seal during a swim up Indian Arm in Vancouver!
Top swimming tip
To help with your head position, think about the water line being even with where your swim cap sits on your head. It should feel a little like you're swimming downhill.
Interesting fact
I've had pizza for dinner every Thursday for as long as I can remember!
Thomas Oliver
Swim history before SwimTrek
Growing up by the sea I have had an obsession with the water for as long as I can remember. I swam competivtly as a child, since transitioning to a love for open water swimming through my active involvement with Brighton's Surf Lifesaving Club. This lead me to working as a beach lifeguard on Brighton Beach for 5 seasons, where I ran lifeguard training sessions and use these skills to train up the next generation of guards at the local Surf Lifesaving Clubs. I aim to share this knowledge and passion for swimming with other like minded individuals and with a keen eye for photography a dream of mine is to travel the world capturing the beauty below the surface.
Most memorable swim moment
My most memorable swim moment was in Cebu in the Philippines. I got up early to go for a morning sunrise swim before a hectic day of travel and just 100m offshore I was greeted by a pod of whale sharks. My heart was in my chest as the huge dorsal fin sliced through the water towards me, only to be greeted by the gentle giant cursing through the water by my side!
Top swimming tip
My top swim tip is to slow down. When you stop worrying about being the quickest in your lane or the fear of the person behind you tapping your toes your swim becomes much more enjoyable and reminds me of why I got into swimming... the weightless feeling of being in the water, when you stop fighting it you learn to love it.
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