Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Giorgio Nichilò
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Since I was a child, I have practiced swimming in the pool and have always loved swimming in the sea. Later, I started playing water polo, initially for fun and then at an agonistic level, which I continued for seven years. Eventually, I decided to leave water polo, but not the marine environment. I became interested in other water activities such as freediving and scuba diving, and I have continued swimming throughout the years. I particularly love open water swimming for the sense of adventure it brings, and I enjoy exploring the marine environment and discovering all the small details it contains. In 2022, I obtained my lifeguard license, since then, I began working both as a guide and as a Lifeguard and have also earned an instructor license to teach swimming. I am currently pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences, with the dream of becoming an environmental biologist and working in scientific environmental sectors to help protect the environment and all forms of life.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
During an open water swim, the sea became completely still, and I found myself surrounded by schools of fish, suspended between water and sky. For a few minutes, I felt weightless, and the beauty of the ocean made me lose all sense of time and place.
Top Swimming Tip
Every swim is an adventure, not a race: breathe and move with the waves, enjoy all the sensations, get lost in the wonder of the sea, and let everything else fade away.
Interesting Fact About You
I enjoy all kinds of sports, especially those that connect me with nature, such as skiing, hiking, climbing, scuba diving, and freediving. I also practice mixed martial arts.
Natali Della Savia
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I started swimming at the age of four, competing in the pool from a young age. When I was 18, I began racing in open water as well (lakes, rivers and the sea). I completed half of a degree in accountancy and worked in accounting and administration for around four years before deciding to follow a different path. I began teaching swimming and became a beach lifeguard. Since then, I’ve worked in Argentina, Spain, the UK, Costa Rica and Brazil
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Probably my first river race: a 9km swim in Baradero, Buenos Aires. My teammate Camila and I swam side by side for the entire race. It was the first river event for both of us, and we hadn’t planned it beforehand. It just happened naturally during the swim. We paced each other all the way to the finish, which made the experience even more special.
Top Swimming Tip
Enjoy the water. The more relaxed and present you are, the better (and more confidently) you’ll swim.
Interesting Fact About You
I’m a volunteer for the Argentine Girl Guides Association.
Liz Rycroft
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Swimming has been such an important part of life for as long as I can remember. It's given me so many things both socially and career wise. As a child, my sister and I spent every holiday swimming in the sea in West Wales. I started club swimming aged 10 and loved the training, although racing was definitely not my thing. I lifeguarded as a teenager and had small break from training whilst at university. As an adult I was invited down to Dover Harbour in 2005 and became involved in open water swimming again. From then I was hooked and worked my way through a variety of swims from lakes to sea swims.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
My English Channel swim has been my most enjoyable swim- the conditions, my support crew, cracking the feeding and timings- everything came together to be my most enjoyable relaxed swim.
Top Swimming Tip
Relax! Whatever the conditions, however cold and rough, you'll be more efficient and effective if you are relaxed physically and mentally.
Interesting Fact About You
After spending many hours sat in the Caspian Sea waiting for our ferry to land in Turkmenistan, I learnt to complete a Rubik's Cube.
Rebecca Knight
Swim history before SwimTrek
I started swimming in my 20s when a running injury meant I needed to take some time off my feet. I’ve always loved bobbing about in the sea and in lakes, but never spent much time thinking about my technique or doing laps in the pool. I discovered the world of open water swimming through the friends I met in the pool, and before long I started venturing further out from my local beach in the North East of England. I've been lucky enough to go on a few swimtrek holidays since then, and never miss the opportunity to get in the water at home or away. I’ve also taken part in some open water events and worked as a beach lifeguard. I love helping people enjoy their time in the water and I'm excited to do this as a Swimtrek guide!
Most memorable swim moment
One swim in the Maldives where I followed an eagle ray for what felt like hours. It was probably only a few minutes, but it was one of those moments where time seems to stop.
Top swimming tip
Relax and breathe - try to focus on having a steady exhale in the water so you're ready to take a nice big breath in.
Interesting fact
I can solve a Rubik's cube in under 3 minutes
Jan Nickoley
Swim History Before SwimTrek
My swimming journey began at five years old when I started competing in a summer swim program. This progressed to year-round workouts and competitions until I left for college. Aside from continuing to lifeguard and teaching swim lessons during the summer months, my swimming came to a stop. Have you heard of the “Freshman 15”? It’s said it is the typical weight gain many college freshmen experience. I joined that club — when my swim workouts ceased. It wasn’t until I discovered Masters swimming six years later that I fell back in love with the sport. Through Masters clubs on both the West and East Coasts of the U.S., I have built long-lasting friendships. Swimmers are happy people! My open water competitions and experiences have included several Trans Tahoe Relays; Alcatraz and Angel Island; swims in the San Francisco Bay, Lake Michigan, and more. One of my favorite swims, and cherished summer traditions, is swimming to and from an island across the lake at my family’s cabin in northern Wisconsin. I bring a rock back with me from the island's shore, and it is added to others in a big jar that sits on the fireplace mantel. A growing collection of tangible reminders of the joys of swimming in the outdoors. No matter where I swim, I always remember to thank my parents for making this lifelong gift possible.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
I celebrated a milestone birthday by swimming the span of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco with five friends. It was a very foggy morning and there was a big chance the swim would be canceled. It is not easy to reschedule because of the need to work with the tides and shipping traffic. Once we came into view of the bridge towers, the fog had lifted and the sun and blue sky appeared. It was a perfect day.
Top Swimming Tip
Just keep swimming. Swimming is a life skill and one that you will continually work on to improve your technique. Ask for feedback, enroll in swim clinics, watch videos, and enjoy your time in the water. How fortunate you are to have this skill!
Interesting Fact About You
I completed my final open water dive for my scuba certification with a 7 foot Hammerhead shark behind me. Thankfully, I was not informed of this visitor until I was back on the boat.
Jess Clare
Swim History Before SwimTrek
A lifelong swimmer I competed in the pool as a teenager before transition to open water and triathlon. I've since swum the English channel and Lake Zurich as a relay and the Corsica to Sardinia crossing solo. I'm forever in awe of the sea and the magic it holds.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Arriving on the beach in Sardinia - having swum from Corsica.
Top Swimming Tip
Relax! Always try to swim long and strong.
Interesting Fact About You
I'm a twin!
Javier Fernandez Oubina
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have been connected to swimming since a very young age, I feel at home in the water. After discovering open water swimming, I can’t get enough of it.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
I used to swim in the bay of Cascais, near Lisbon. One day, after a long afternoon swim, we saw an amazing sunset over the ocean, full of color. I will always remember that day.
Top Swimming Tip
You should adapt your strokes to the conditions of the sea. When there are waves and currents, your strokes should be quicker for stability and momentum; in calm water, they become longer, smoother and more powerful.
Interesting Fact About You
I am a musician and a music teacher. I have played the violin professionally and also know many songs on the guitar. I am always up for a tune!
Shaun Jessop
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I grew up in Scarborough, UK learning to swim in cold ocean pools and the North Sea! I stopped swimming in my teens, teaching swimming whilst at university in Nottingham. After emigrating to Australia in my 30s, I rediscovered my passion for open water and joined surf lifesaving clubs and adult swim squads, where was surrounded by amazing people training for unbelievable events. I'm not a natural sprinter, so the longer the swim event the better for me. I’ve also just learnt to freedive so I can actually stop and take some time to see and enjoy everything else that's in the oceans with us!
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Finishing your first long distance swim is always incredible, especially as I was never 100% sure I'd make the distance, so standing up again after 6 hours was incredible.
Top Swimming Tip
Consistency in training and preparation beats everything else. Even after a break, just 3 consecutive days of short swims lifts you up!
Interesting Fact About You
I was part of the team competing in the first episode of Fort Boyard in France when Channel 5 launched!
Evelien Harrison
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have been sea swimming since 2012 when I set myself the goal to swim from the island of Guernsey to the island of Herm, a distance of 5km with very strong tides. I managed to swim it that year with lots of breaststroke (having not done any pool training since I was small) and have since done the Herm crossing several times and much quicker! I always try and find a swim spot somewhere and love a swimming holiday!
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Swimming the arctic circle at midnight from Finland to Sweden with the sun never fully setting was very special!
Top Swimming Tip
Enjoy the moment, don’t focus too much on distance and speed!
Interesting Fact About You
I used to do synchronised swimming as a kid!
Mladen Ilic
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Lifelong open-water swimmer from Boka Bay. Triathlete since 2013, racing from sprint to Ironman distance (4 Ironman finishes). Former lifeguard and water polo player, experienced in sea safety and guiding groups in open water.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
swimming the Ironman Barcelona 2018. We faced severe weather, with strong winds and waves around 2–3 meters high, making it an unforgettable open-water experience.
Top Swimming Tip
Stay relaxed and respect the water. Focus on calm breathing, good body position, and sighting — the sea always gives back if you swim with it, not against it.
Interesting Fact About You
I grew up swimming in the Boka Bay and later completed four Ironman races — combining a lifelong love for the sea with extreme endurance challenges.
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