Sharks, Currents, and Aloha: True Stories from Hawaii’s Open Water Masters

Sharks, Currents, and Aloha: True Stories from Hawaii’s Open Water Masters

From F@@king Cool Swims by Dave Wallace

November 29, 2025 · 1h 0m · Season 1 · Episode 5

About this episode

The episode explores the experiences of open water swimmers in Hawaii, highlighting their adventures and the cultural significance of the ocean.

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the magic of Hawaiian open water with three brilliant guests: Ryan Leong , Stefan Reinke , and Deb Kemp , a trio united by saltwater, courage, and the Aloha spirit. What starts as a simple chat about swims quickly turns into a love letter to the ocean. Ryan and Stefan, both seasoned Hawaiian open water swimmers and caretakers of iconic events like the Waikiki Roughwater Swim and the Double Roughwater , bring to life what makes Hawaii one of the most extraordinary swimming destinations on Earth: warm turquoise water, powerful currents, vibrant sea life, and a deep cultural sense of mana . Deb shares how she went from cold Lake District swims to being embraced by the Hawaiian community, guided through tropical waters by masters of the craft, and overwhelmed by the spirit, culture, and generosity she found there. Her story is a reminder that when you step into the ocean with respect, it gives you something back. The conversation drifts across: 🌊 The legendary Waikiki Roughwater and its tougher sibling, the Double Roughwater 🐬 Close encounters with dolphins, rays, hammerheads — and even a silky shark that escorted them for eight hours 🔥 The…

People in this episode

Host: Dave Wallace

Guests: Ryan Leong, Stefan Reinke, Deb Kemp

Topics covered

  • open water swimming
  • Hawaii
  • community
  • adventure
  • marine life
  • cultural experiences

Keywords

  • Hawaii swimming
  • open water
  • Waikiki Roughwater
  • marine encounters
  • Aloha spirit
  • currents
  • community swimming

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Hawaii, Lake District, Hawaiian

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