Coach Dougal Dunlop on founding the Washing Machines, teaching swim skills, and enjoying all-weather swims at Oriental Bay
About this episode
Dougal Dunlop shares his experiences in swimming and coaching, including founding the Washing Machines and his passion for all-weather swims.
Dougal Dunlop is one of Wellington's swim legends and has been swimming and coaching for over 50 years. Now in his 70s, he continues to coach at Freyberg Pool and swims at Oriental Bay all year round – most mornings he'll be in the water at 6:46am (ish). A back injury led to Dougal swimming regularly in the ocean and he founded the Washing Machines, a hardy group of open water enthusiasts including ultramarathoners and ice swimmers. Dougal updates the group (of over 200 members) via WhatsApp every day with the local swim conditions and water temperature. We recorded this chat at AYE! Cafe in Oriental Bay so there's a bit of background noise sometimes – it's still a good listen for Dougal's stories and knowledge! * Jono Ridler is currently swimming down the east coast of NZ's North Island (1,600km over 90 days) to raise awareness of destructive bottom trawling in the ocean. Find out more at swim4theocean.com and sign the petition! * Support the Swim Chats podcast ($5 per month) via Patreon.com/SwimChats Follow Swim Chats on Instagram Hit 'Follow' so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening! :-)
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- Kate Wareham on learning to swim with epilepsy
- Dr Abi Lafbery on wild swimming, waterways, and how we swim in a changing world
- Bryn Williams on building confidence, feeling the rhythm, and enjoying our ocean playground
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