Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Jaime Duarte
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I am a nature guide and marine biologist with over ten years of experience in Baja California Sur. I was born in Mexico City, and my first contact with water was in a swimming pool, but the ocean quickly captured my heart. I enjoy outdoor activities, as: camping, hiking, kayaking, bodyboarding, SUP and all activities that connect me with nature.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
The Gulf of California has been my greatest classroom, where I have witnessed amazing marine life encounters. These moments of wonder remind me of the importance of conservation and motivate me to create experiences that connect people with the ocean.
Top Swimming Tip
I thrive in the sea, swimming alongside marine life. Every adventure I lead combines safety, professionalism, and the warmth of Mexican hospitality. Being a man passionate about the sea allows me to inspire others, sharing the beauty and richness of the ocean with confidence and passion.
Interesting Fact
Once I get into the ocean it’s hard to get me out!
Rusty Steel
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have been swimming for about 10 years - this is mainly with friends, we meet up 3-4 times a week and swim round the pier in Brighton. With my work I get to travel around the world a lot and try to ensure I get to swim regularly either in a pool or preferably in the sea. I also work with the Surf Life Saving club in Brighton working with the kids and adults there to build their confidence in the sea.
Most memorable swim moment
One of my most unforgettable experiences was swimming on the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Surrounded by crystal-clear water and vibrant coral gardens. It remains one of the best swims of my life.
Top swimming tip
Tuck your chin in while swimming (look down)
Interesting fact about me
I own some land in Portugal that i hope to build on and retire to
Nicolie Chaffe
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Triple Crown swimmer: English Channel, 20 Bridges and Catalina Channel solos. Robben Island swim. Solent swim to Isle of Wight. One and two-way Windermere, Ullwater and Coniston lakes.
Most Memorable Swim
I loved swimming through Durdle Door.
Top Swimming Tip
Put suntan cream on your face a good hour plus before going swimming, so it properly soaks into your skin protecting you and not getting into your eyes when you're in the water.
Interesting Fact About You
I like playing card games. Crispy fried duck pancakes are my favourite Chinese takeaway.
Barry O'Toole
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have been training Guide Dogs in London for the past 16 years. I love this field of work and I am also a quailed Vision and Rehabilitation Specialist. I have recently volunteered at a sight saving NGO in Ethiopia.
Other interesting jobs along the way are working as a veterinary nurse in both Hawaii and Australia. Walking dogs around the beaches of Hawaii for exercise was pretty cool.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Been airlifted out of the ocean by a helicopter in New Zealand...it's a story to be told over a beer.
Top Swimming Tip
The cliche of 'You never regret a swim'. What a great mantra as I have never regretted a swim.
Interesting Fact About you
I am obsessed with fragrances and smell and I would say I am obsessed with Africa too. In 2025 I done an overland African trip across Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Lauren Elder
Swim History Before SwimTrek
My swimming journey began early through Surf Life Saving Australia’s Nippers program at the age of four, followed by years of competitive swimming throughout primary school and my teens, with freestyle (front crawl) and backstroke as my preferred strokes.As an adult, I continued with surf lifesaving — qualifying as a Bronze Medallion instructor and serving as a Patrol Captain at Manly Beach, one of Sydney’s busiest and most iconic beaches. Teaching others, leading patrols, and supporting people in the water became a natural extension of my love of the ocean.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Completing the Hellespont crossing in Turkey with SwimTrek in 2023. Swimming from Europe to Asia alongside people who had travelled from all over the world felt incredibly special — a shared sense of anticipation, respect for the history of the crossing, and excitement all rolled into one unforgettable swim. I remember the crossing vividly, but what stays with me most is the finish: music playing, people cheering from the shore, and the celebration afterwards. It was a powerful reminder that while swimming can feel like a solo pursuit in the water, it’s never really solo. It’s the people you swim alongside, the support crew guiding you, and the shared moments before and after that make these experiences so meaningful and memorable.
Top Swimming Tip
Pace yourself from the start and swim within your comfort zone. A relaxed, steady swim is always more enjoyable and you'll often finish feeling stronger than if you push too hard at the beginning.
Interesting Fact About You
In 2025, I was delighted to win SwimTrek’s Photo of the Year competition for an underwater photo taken on the Ionian Explorer trip. I love capturing moments underwater — so feel free to let me know if you’d like me to snap some underwater shots of you!
Jake Carpenter
Swim History Before SwimTrek
When I was 8 years old my parents sent me to a summer camp on a lake in Maine. For the next 14 summers I would live, swim, and eventually work on this lake. As campers, we would swim every morning and every afternoon for an hour. This built a strong love for water in my life. I swam competitively through school and university. Nowadays I have the luxury of living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, where there are ample freshwater lakes to swim in. Some are close by, such as Lake Tahoe, and some are a hike to get to, but always worth it!
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Swimming in Lake Tahoe where the water is so clear that you can see 20 meters down!
Top Swimming Tip
I love finding songs with the right cadence that I can sing in my head to keep me from going too fast or too slow. Just make sure it's a song you like!
Interesting Fact About You
I enjoy swimming through whitewater rapids on rivers! (With a lifejacket of course.)
Kim Cook
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I discovered ocean swimming when I moved from the UK to Australia and quickly fell in love with the vitamin sea. Fast‑forward 15 years through corporate desk jobs, several Swim Trek adventures, and many seasons as a volunteer surf lifesaver, and that passion has become my purpose. I now teach school children how to stay safe and confident in open water, and I mentor adults who are learning to ocean swim or training for marathon-distance challenges.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Every dip into open water feels special — whether it’s one of the many marathon swims I’ve completed, diving through the surf at my local beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, or sharing a dip and a post‑swim coffee with my swim buddies. One moment that stands out above the rest was stepping onto the sandy lakeside shore in Nevada after swimming the width of Lake Tahoe from California. The mix of achievement, the thrill of completing a major marathon swim in unfamiliar waters, and the breathtaking scenery framed by pine‑covered mountains made it truly unforgettable.
Top Swimming Tip
Controlling your breathing is the foundation of efficient, enjoyable swimming. Ease back your kick and slow your stroke so you can settle into a steady, relaxed breathing rhythm. And keep your mindset on your side — whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re right!
Interesting Fact About You
I've completed marathon swims in 7 different countries across 3 continents.
Michael Kring
Swim History Before SwimTrek
As a child, I loved playing in the water, jumping off docks and swing ropes, water skiing and tubing. But swimming down a black line for lengths at a time didn't hold any interest. Later in life, pool swimming became an occasional duty but without much joy. Then in 2018, I had a frozen shoulder and for recovery, my physio suggested swimming for rehab. Since I didn't like the pool, i got into the ocean in Sydney and fell in love with open water swimming. No black lines, no lanes. Just put your head in the water and swim. I discovered a whole new word to see while I was swimming and KM's became easier and easier. Now I am a very avid ocean swimmer in Sydney Australia, venturing out about 5x per week which I absolulty can't do without.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
A couple of years ago, the swim group I swim with at Bondi Beach was out about 1km from shore, swimming towards the shark beacon. When we were closer to the shark beacon, we had just swam through a big cloud of jelly blubbers, and I noticed what looked like a rock underneath me covered in barnacles. Bewildered, I asked myself what is a rock doing this close to the surface a KM from the beach. Then my vision expanded, and I realized it was a humpback whale about 10ft below me. Needless to say, I was so excited. I swam with it for about 15 seconds and it was then gone. When I came up for air, another whale came up about 10m away to the side. We tried to swim with that one, but it was too fast. To this day, I still can relive every second of that whole adventure.
Top Swimming Tip
Let the water hold and support your body, and keep your head down when you are swimming.
Interesting Fact About You
I was an exchange student in Sydney, Australia, where I met my wife at university.
Florence Laimbeer
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have lived by the sea my entire life and have always taken full advantage of it, swimming whenever possible! I was a competitive swimmer throughout my childhood and teenage years and later discovered a love for open water swimming while working as a beach lifeguard for the RNLI at Camber Sands. I loved working by the sea so much that I stayed on from the age of 17 and have since qualified as a senior lifeguard. I continued my love for the ocean by choosing to study at the University of Plymouth, where I explore the Devon and Cornwall coastline and make full use of the beautiful environment I’m lucky to study in.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
I went to Greece and had the incredible opportunity to train with a local competitive swimming club. We all lived together for the week, and they showed us around the town, making it such a fun and memorable experience. At the end of the week, we took part in an open water swimming gala, which was super fun!
Top Swimming Tip
I love to sea swim with my friends- not only to look out for each other, but because it's way more fun!
Interesting Fact About You
I can do 9 underwater roly poly's in a row.
Emily Munsey
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I grew up swimming regularly with my family and have grown my love of swimming from there. We always swam together on holiday whether in the Lake District or on the coast and this grew my love for exploring the world from the water.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Swimming through the witches cauldron in Pembrokeshire with my Mum. This is a collapsed sea cave in Pembrokeshire you can swim through a tunnel to. I’ve been regularly through my childhood but on this occasion the light was perfect making the cave sparkle with emerald light.
Top Swimming Tip
Technique is super crucial for swimming. If you have the chance to get someone to record you swimming it can be a game changer for understanding what small changes you need to make.
Interesting Fact About You
I’m a qualified flour miller.
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