An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast

(Available to subscribers only from 14th Feb. Episode free to play 21st Feb).This episode is sort of the second part to episode 6, the chat with Andy Cornish, as on the same day and exactly the same time, Dani Wallwork set off to also complete the 70km of Lake Geneva. Both swimmers went through some of the most apocryphal conditions I have ever seen at night, and, like Andy, Dani called time on her swim at approximately 17 hours and roughly 55km in. Dani is no stranger to lake swimming, holding the world record for the fastest one way, two way and three way Windermere swim in a wetsuit. She has also completed Lake Zurich, and is fair to say is a rapid swimmer… I loved this episode as although I wasn’t on her boat for her Lake Geneva attempt, I was of course on the water at the same time, so I saw first hand the conditions she had to battle through. I hope you enjoy listening to Dani Wallwork!

(Episode free to play 14th Feb) This week’s guest is a Channel Swimmer, having also swam the 20 bridges of Manhattan, and Gibraltar - with The Cook Straight on his swim calendar any day now… Some big swims under his belt, and he isn't done yet. He has also forged ahead with a new business that reflects his passion for the water, namely Wildpool Shoes. If you haven’t checked them out, they are well worth a gander for any water lover. We chat about the addictiveness of swimming and trying to combine a business to the hobby we all love and want to do more of… it’s Sami Robertson.

(Available 31st January to subscribers. Episode free to play Saturday 7th February)I’ve been looking forward to this episode for some time… in July 2025, Andy Cornish swam the 33km of the English Channel. He had been blown out in 2024 rather frustratingly, due to an unlucky combination of weather, pilots retiring and boat malfunctions... He also had booked to swim the 70km of Lake Geneva in 2025: So two huge swims ended up being booked for the same year. I was lucky enough to crew for him on his Lake Geneva undertaking which was an breathtaking experience for everyone involved. Andy hit the most ferocious storm during the night on his 70km attempt which very nearly derailed the entire event: almost zero visibility, lightening, torrential rain and a fierce wind that whipped the lake up into a maelstrom for about seven hours… Andy managed to stick out the storm (and the night) and continue to swim non stop for exactly 24 hours, albeit through very gritted teeth, and landed at Meillerie, just shy of the finish. He had his swim ratified at an amazing 51km and he joined the 24hour club in the process. This is an amazing story of stop start - being on the so-called "Dovercoaster" - and also being content and satiated with the day that mother nature can give you, knowing you gave your all on such a massive lake… I recorded some voice notes throughout the day a few of which I play to Andy on the podcast for the first time… if you listen carefully you can hear him swimming in the back ground… Andrew Cornish everyone!

Episode free to play at the end of Season 5 (March 2026)This bonus episode is with the "Swim Smooth" founder and all round swimmer and international coach Paul Newsome. He came onto the podcast 5 years ago and a lot has changed since then with the launch of his swim smooth guru app; designed for swimmers to create their own training plans and it also gives live feedback on your stroke… and he is just happens to be in the best swim shape of his life. He recently completed a gruelling 16km degree swim in 30 degree water (his son periodically pouring iced water on his head) and is about to embark on another Rottnest swim, although this time as a relay. He continually champions our sport across the world and it was a delight as ever to have him on. Enjoy!

Episode free to play at end of Season 5 (March 2026).We have another brilliant former guest on today who is rewriting the record books. He is only 18 and has completed the English Channel, Catalina, and a few years ago became the first male to swim the double North Channel. He is an astonishing swimmer who this year completed the first double Irish Triple Crown (double North Channel, double Galway Bay and a Triple Fastnet; It’s of course one of Sandy Cove’s favourite resident swimmers, Brian Foster.

My guest for Episode 2 is an Australian Paralympian, having represented his country as a runner at three Paralympic Games, before transitioning to triathlon in 2022 at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham… being totally blind from birth, he is an extraordinary athlete who has not only climbed Mt Everest to 8,300m, has competed on Dancing with the Stars, and has now taken to marathon swimming. In 2025 he completed the 48km 20 Bridges Round Manhattan swim in 9 hours and 8 minutes and later that same year he wanted to become the first totally blind person to complete the English Channel, having attempted it in 2024… this is the extraordinary (I say that a lot in this episode) Gerrard Gosens.