Shows
SwimOutCaptain Webb: The Channel ConquerorThis special edition of the SwimOut podcast pays tribute to Captain Matthew Webb who, in 1875, made history as the first person to swim the English Channel. Our dramatisation brings his story to life: A village lad who ran away to sea, saw the world and was inspired to make the impossible happen. The story recounts the many challenges he had to overcome - from shifting tides to jellyfish. It details what kept him going during his gruelling feat of valour, from beef tea to brandy and more importantly, his friends and family onboard the support vessel. His mot...
2025-12-0439 minSwimOutEnglish Channel - Ask the expertsVicki facilitates a conversation between experts and swimmers planning to do the swim. Expert Kevin Murphy is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest open water swimmers. He has 28 solo Channel swims and three doubles to his credit. He has also swum the North Channel three times and is known as King of both the English and North Channels. Also with bags of expertise is Kathy Batts who has completed many relay crossings of the English Channel and a solo, as well as many other swims across the globe. She and Kevin also look after the paperwork for a l...
2025-11-1948 minSwimOutIndian Channel SwimmersVicki explores why so many Indian swimmers come to swim the English Channel. She starts by chatting to Anshuman Jhingran who she met on the beach in Dover in 2025 when he was waiting for his Channel crossing and who now has 6 of the 7 Oceans Severn Swims. Next up we hear from Bula Chowdhury who swam the English Channel twice in 1989 and 1999 making her the 21st Indian swimmer to achieve this feat. Sal Minty-Gravett talks about her work helping Indian swimmers to acclimatise for their cold water swims. Lastly we talk about swimming many Channels with Prabhat Koli and his...
2025-11-0646 minSwimOutMy River Avon SwimVicki sets out to follow in her father’s footsteps and swim down the River Avon from Bath to Bristol. She is joined on this adventure by her wife Oonagh. Along the way she meets up with her family for some reminiscing about her father, and talks to Johnny Palmer, a passionate swimmer and “disrupter” who inspires and enables many swims around Bristol. We also discuss swimming in the Avon with Luke and Charlie from All-Aboard Watersports who organise swimming in the Bristol docks. Vicki gets help from CK SUP and Paddle at Newbridge outside Bath, and then has a refr...
2025-10-2348 minSwimOutSwim Through: S6E4In this episode Vicki meets musician and singer BE who has written the beautiful song Swim Through. The song is inspired by the women BE met whilst swimming, and hearing their stories. Vicki has a dip with BE at Hampstead Ladies Pond and a chat about how swimming helps us to get through stuff. We also hear from the women who helped to make the video of the song. Find the song, it's very catchy and has a great rhythm if you want to sing along as you Swim Through your swim.Find out more at SwimOut.ne...
2025-06-1229 minSwimOutNeil Agius and Vicki swim and talk: S6E3In this episode Vicki meets Neil Agius, an ultra endurance marathon swimmer who has set world records with his swims near his home in Malta. Vicki and Neil go for a swim at West Reservoir and discuss how you get from swimming a 400 meter race in the Athens Olympics to a 142 kilometer swim round Malta, Gozo and Comino. We talk about how you can manage such long swims physically and mentally and cope with the doubts and the jellyfish. He talks about his swims and the mental framework called the Ocean Mindset, which he has developed. This combines strategies...
2025-05-2930 minSwimOutPollution in our rivers and swim spots: S6 E2Vicki explores pollution in our rivers and swim spots and how this affects us as swimmers. It's quite a grim tale. The episode gives you heaps of great information about identifying and dealing with pollution, so you can be better prepared for your swim. Yvette Tetteh who has swum down the River Volta in Ghana, talks about her swim, the river and the clothing waste from the global north that is clogging it up. She also talks about her charity The OR Foundation which is campaigning for change. Rebecca Duncan from The Rivers Trust talks about different types of p...
2025-05-2245 minSwimOutMagnificent Vintage Women: S6 E1Vicki explores the glorious world of older women swimmers, highlighting their achievements, dreams and passions. Sal Minty-Gravett MBE, who has swum the English Channel in each decade of her life since she was a teenager, talks about her Channel swims and co-hosts the programme. Almost Synchro, open water synchro swimmers, try to set a World Record for the longest cold water routine. Deborah Vine, a Team GB Ice swimmer, explains her love of cold water swimming. Listener Nickie Gore discusses the extra challenges of swimming with Parkinson's disease and Laura Reineke tells us about her love of the River...
2025-05-1550 minSwimOutDeepMikey and Vicki go down Deep, diving under the water, swimming in it and listening to its sounds. Halani Moss-Vete tells us about her epic swim across the Molokaʻi Channel in Hawaii, where the water is very deep and the currents are strong. Dee Newell tells the story of her swims under the ice in Päijänne In Finland. This piece was created by Dominique Ferraton for SwimOut. Charlie Stewart tells us all about why he loves scuba diving and the peaceful world he finds down there. Amorina Kingdon, in contrast, shares with us the songs of fis...
2024-11-2752 minSwimOutMy Manhattan SwimVicki tells the story of how she swam around Manhattan Island. She talks about how she prepared, including talking to Jaimie Monahan - who has swum around it more times than anyone else. She heads down to Brighton Beach to swim with CIBBOWS the Coney Island and Brighton Beach Open Water Swimmers. Through recordings from the day made by Oonagh Gormley, her crew and wife, and her own memories from the swim, a rich aural story is woven. From the event organisers New York Open Water we meet the kayaker, observer and boat captain. Plus we hear from family...
2024-11-1052 min
SwimOutHistoric swim storiesVicki delves into History in this edition and also finds swimmers who are making history today. She meets Sarah Thomas who made history most notably with her 4-way English Channel crossing. Anna Maria Mullally shines a light on Irish swimmers at the turn of the last century. Todd Balf, whose book Three Kings explores the lives of 3 unlikely Olympic heroes, tells us the stories he has uncovered. George Townsend looks at the history of river bathing in Oxford. Vicki and Kathryn Ferry discuss how Billy Butlin got involved in Channel relay races in the 1950’s. We also find out ab...
2024-08-2350 minSwimOutPride in open water swimmingMikey and Vicki discuss Pride and open water swimming. Olympian, Peter Prijdekker, shares how he has swum with Pride throughout his life. Vicki has a chat with team-mates from Out To Swim, her LGBTQ+ swimming club. Kerry Andrew reads from their haunting book Skin about a non-binary swimmer looking for their father. Then we find out about swimming with Pride around the country starting with Brighton where we discuss a new idea. We move to Kendal, where Jonathan Cowie explores how Pride is celebrated in the Lakes. Finally, Vicki goes to the Royal London Docks for the first in a...
2024-06-1751 minSwimOutGrief - solace through swimming: S5E3The topic of this episode is grief and how the open water can help to soothe you at this time of crisis and turmoil. Vicki starts by chatting with Shannon House Keegan from Marathon Swim Stories about their stillborn sons. Then Dr Catherine Kelly shares with us the turmoil she felt after her mother died and talks about her book Blue Spaces that explains why and how water can help with grief. Kate Steels joins Vicki to talk about the son she lost to suicide and how swimming the Ice Sevens Challenge helped her to recover. Lastly Vicki talks...
2024-05-0548 minSwimOutCommunity: S5E2Mikey and Vicki discuss the wonderful world of swimming communities. They chat with Rachel Jones who edited Toes in the Water - stories of lives changed by wild swimming. Vicki goes to Mamma Swim and finds out all about their group for mothers who want to swim in the open water. Mikey talks to fellow swimmers at Brighton Swimming Club- the oldest swimming club in England. Bill and Jeff share with us about their project iSwim4 which is for people recovering from substance addiction and Vicki finds out about a film called Rave On For The Avon and its...
2024-03-3048 minSwimOutTraining for your big swim: S5E1Amy Ennion and Vicki explore training for the big swim. They discuss their approaches to training and talk to Shannon House Keegan who works with people remotely. Vicki goes to meet Ray Gibbs who films you in his tank Swim Canary Wharf. Amy discusses training camps with Anna McCarthy, a regular at the infamous Irish swim camps and Mandy Bodemeaid from Dover Channel Training tells us all about their training weekends. Plus we hear from Mark Sheridan about a pool based group which provides support and inspiration and Jonathan Cowie tells us about his struggles with his sofa.
2024-02-2941 minSwimOutThe Record Breakers: S4E6This season has seen a bumper crop of swimming records, so Vicki and Amy have sought out the record-breakers. We have Andy Donaldson who swam all seven of the Seven Oceans in just one year and Sophie Etheridge chats with Jackie Cobell having taken her Longest English Channel Swim mantle away. Jasmine Harrison, who has two Guinness world records, talks about her adventures. We grab a chat with Anshuman Jhingran, the "Little Boy from Mumbai", who snapped up two records in his first year of marathon swimming and we join it all up with Julian Critchlow who gathers in...
2023-11-2348 minSwimOutMercedes Gleitze: S4E5Mikey and Vicki bring you a cornucopia of tales about Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel. With a dramatized section and interviews with her grandson Andrew Pember and bathing historian Anna Maria Mullally the program celebrates this iconic swimmer. We also find out all about the “Swimming a Long Way Together” project, a tribute to Mercedes created by Vanessa Daws. We bring Mercedes' story to life and delve deeper into who she was and the legacy she has left.
2023-10-1038 minSwimOutCan you swim yourself happy? S4E4In this edition of the SwimOut podcast we explore how swimming can boost our wellbeing and soothe our worries.
Join Mikey and Vicki with special guest Amy – AmySwims as they talk about the challenges they have with how they look. We speak to Gill – Stoma Chameleon about her Channel crossing and Jamie from Blue Mind Men, a mental health swim for men. We find some great swimsuits which bring us joy, made by Usual Objections and for the more environmental feel-good factor we talk with Angela from Swim Wild Wye who campaigns to keep her river pollution free.
2023-07-1349 minSwimOutChloe McCardel- Queen of the Channel: S4E3In this episode Vicki meets Chloe McCardel who is the Queen of the Channel - she has swum the English Channel forty four times which is more times than any other person. Also she holds the record for the longest ever sea swim at 124.4 kilometers, taking 41 hours in the Bahamas. She is swimming royalty but also a passionate supporter of Women's rights, always ready to call out injustice.
Vicki spends a day with Chloe in Weymouth finding out about her swimming, her past and what she is up to in Dorset this summer with her new boat Cha...
2023-04-2639 minSwimOutThe Relay swim: S4E2In this edition of the SwimOut podcast we explore the joys of swimming in a Relay team.
Join Mikey and Vicki as they talk about Relay swimming and the fun of it. Observer Deborah Vine answers listeners’ questions about the big day and the rules of the swim and Team Bits Missing discuss their North Channel relay swim. Plus we hear from Catherine Stefanutti, Dirk Gewert and more listeners about the joys of Relay swimming.
For more information and longer versions please go to SwimOut.net
2023-04-0843 min
SwimOutThe challenge of cold water swimming: S4E1In this edition of the SwimOut podcast we explore the challenge of swimming in cold water.
Join Vicki and Jonathan as they talk about thier swimming exploits in Morocco and Cheltenham. Vicki talks to Ger Kennedy about swimming in Antarctica and how it feels to be in water that cold and how to recover. Plus Jonty Warneken and Michelle Lane talk about competing in Team Ice GB.
2023-03-0846 minSwimOutThe Team: Extra Special EpisodeIn this edition of the SwimOut podcast we explore the people behind the big swim, the unsung heroes of open water who enable swimmers to undertake their amazing feats.
Join Vicki Carter and Jonathan Cowie as they chat to Padraig Mallon - North Channel Pilot from Infinity Channel swimming, Ros Bailey partner of Hells Mouth Swimmer Frank Chalmers and Elaine Howley who likes to give back to the open water community and crewed for Sarah Thomas on her 4 way crossing. Plus listener and all round amazing swimmer Jaimie Monahan tells us where she likes to swim as...
2022-12-1637 minSwimOutPeace: Special Edition with Lynne CoxOur latest offering is a very special edition of SwimOut all about Peace. We welcome new presenter Jonathan Cowie from Outdoor Swimmer magazine spreading his podcasting wings for the first time. We are joined by the legendary swimmer and writer Lynne Cox. She first rose to fame when she broke the English Channel record aged 15, and went on to break many more. Her mission to broker peace between Russia and the USA by swimming the Bering Strait in 1987 remains a groundbreaking achievement. Still actively engaged with swimming she has just published a book about swimming with dogs as well...
2022-07-1240 min
SwimOutThe Big One: Series 2 Episode 6In the final episode of this series Hunter and Vicki are joined by the founder of WOWSA, Steven Munatones, and Gareth Jones who recently completed an EPIC 60 kilometre swim over Wales' wildest water. We're also joined by the the legendary Jackie Cobell who has the impressive (if undesirable) accolade of the longest ever channel swim. Plus, we catchup with our favourite fan Rick Cipolla.
2021-12-0940 minSwimOutAccess: Series 2 Episode 5This month Hunter is joined by guest presenter Omie Dale to discuss access and inclusion in aquatics.
We hear from bathing historian George Townsend about sociological barriers, such as gender and race, in the 19th century. Omie talks to the founder of Swimunity, whose mission is to make the joy of swimming accessible to all communities following the Grenfell Tower disaster. And Vicki has a special report on the state of disability in open water aquatics.
2021-10-2133 min
SwimOutThe Mind: Series 2 Episode 4Hunter and Vicki delve into The Mind. The mind can be your best friend and your worst enemy on a long swim. It can soothe and wash away your troubles; it can also disrupt and ruin your flow.
In this episode we meet Cliff Golding; after 5 years and 6 failed attempts Cliff finally tamed his demons and successfully crossed the English Channel - he tells us his secret. Sarah Kennedy Norquoy lives in the Orkney isles and tells us how swimming helped her recover from grief and we catch up with Mental Health Swims about raising mental health...
2021-09-0242 minSwimOutJourneys: Series 2 Episode 3Vicki and Mikey explore Journeys. We hear from Cath Pendleton, who holds the Guinness World Record for the Most Southerly Ice Swim (female) in Antarctica, but she also likes Mermaiding and chitty chatting. Mikey leaps out of his sound booth to present this week and speaks to Sal Minty-Gravett, the oldest woman to do a 2-way English Channel swim. John Coningham-Rolls from SwimQuest tells us all about his passion for empowering people to start their swimming journey and stop punching below their weight. We all did a Pier to Pier swim and Hunter pops in to tell his story. F...
2021-07-1636 min
Bare Naked PoliticsCOVID-19 in BrazilBrazil has just surpassed 500,000 COVID related deaths while the President continues to ignore calls to issue tougher restrictions nationwide. But what's the feeling like on the ground? Are the public keen on their government? Julia catches up with Fernando who shares his experiences of the last 18 months as a Brazilian resident.
If you liked the episode and you want to support Julia, check out her Patreon page where she uploads exclusive content such as interviews, updates and opinion pieces.
Follow Julia on Instagram and Twitter @juliabelle_x to ask her questions for future episodes.
...
2021-06-2438 minSwimOutThe Environment : Series 2 Episode 2Vicki and Fiona - our guest presenter - explore The Environment. We hear from Owen Hayman, a man who loves swimming in Reservoirs, on his mission to open up more water for us all to swim in whilst being kind to the environment. We catch up again with Calum McLean in the highlands of Scotland who finds awe in this magnificent scenery and is desperate to preserve it. We also bring you reports about the health of the sea from Papua New Guinea, a re-wilding project from East London and a Channel swimmer with a passion for collecting litter...
2021-05-2841 min
Stories from the WaterMarathon Swim Stories meets SwimOut PodcastSend us a textTo read more about our guests, visit http://marathonswimstories.com/Questions, comments, feedback, or if you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, email me! mailto:shannon@intrepidwater.comMarathon Swim Stories is produced by Katee Meese: https://www.kateemeese.com/Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.comJoin a supportive group of limit pushers at The Marathon Swimming CollectiveMusic credit:Epic Inspiration by Rafael KruxLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-L...
2021-05-2758 min
Short CutsThe Blue of DistanceShort documentaries and adventures in sound about the colour blue, presented by Josie Long. From a view of the earth from space to an affinity with the ocean.A Blue Gem Below
Featuring Jessica Meir
Produced by Lauren Armstrong CarterThe Blue of Dover
Featuring Naji Ali
Produced by Hunter Charlton and Ben Tulloh
A version of this story first appeared on the SwimOut podcastAlmost Blue
Featuring Laura BartonCuratorial team: Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
2021-03-2329 minSwimOutUNCERTAINTY: Series 2 Episode 1SwimOut is back!Vicki and Hunter are back for a second series exploring 'Uncertainty'. We hear from Jaimie Monahan doyenne of Ice swimming, about how she coped and what kept her occupied whilst stuck on Manhattan in 2020. We catch up with Steve and Norma talking about their fabulous entertaining Webinars which educated us on the technicalities of sea swimming. We also have Emma France from Dover Channel Training about how to cope with the uncertainty that IS the English Channel challenge.More info at SwimOut.net contact us here.We also love Likes a...
2021-03-1841 minSwimOutEpisode 8: ICEICE is the topic Vicki and Hunter explore, in this, the final episode of Series 1. We hear from Jaimie Monaghan doyenne of Ice swimming, Ram Barkai who set up International Ice Swimming Association and Rostislav Vitek the fastest ice miler. We also meet Attila Manyoki, the fastest man to complete the Oceans Seven challenge who was hospitalised after a North Channel swim with hypothermia.Helen Smith helps Vicki prepare for an Ice mile swim next year and we hear from our listeners around the world about why they love ice swimming.It's ICEY !!
2020-12-0445 minSwimOutEpisode 7: The Wellness FactorHunter and Vicki explore how open water swimming can help with your Wellness.
We cast our net far and near. Finding happy swimmers donning Burkinis in Sydney and wetsuits in Lake Geneva. We also visit top London swim spots at Hampstead and the Serpentine. We talk to the man who made the film The Ponds about the Hampstead Ponds and we sit on the Heath to discuss the impact Channel swimming has had on our Wellness. We hope that it makes you happy too.
2020-11-2639 minSwimOutEpisode 6: The PioneersHunter and Vicki seek out inspiring stories. We hear about Channel firsts - the first black man and the first woman. Hunter tells us about his fascination with Captain Webb and we hear from an expert on bathing who tells us about the Swimming Professor. Anna reveals all about the history of the swimsuit and we also have poetry, tales of old and love across the waves.
Great tales of derring do.
2020-10-2941 minSwimOutEpisode 5: The AdventurersVicki and Hunter go in search of Adventure in the open water. Hunter meets a Wild Brother and the Crocodile Dundee of Northumberland. Vicki talks to the second person to have completed the Oceans’s Seven challenge. We reveal our top fan and an adventurous way to celebrate your 70th birthday. Dan the coach gives tips on sea swimming and chasing those elusive buoys.
Inspiring stories to keep you buoyant through the autumn.
2020-09-2438 minSwimOutEpisode 4: The LifesaversThis month Vicki and Hunter are joined by Chas Hamilton with a story about a charity which helps prevent drowning in Cambodia, which is the leading cause of childhood death in that country. An RNLI beach lifeguard shares some tips on how to stay safe on the beach and answers some questions about what to do if you get into trouble. We also tell the amazing story of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson an Icelandic fisherman who survived after his trawler capsizes, with extracts taken from the book "Why I Swim" by Bonnie Tsui. Plus Mikey Tees shares the story of a...
2020-08-2732 minSwimOutEpisode 3: The Limits of ObsessionThis month Vicki and Hunter go in search of the limits of obsession. Vicki met the man who has swam the English Channel 34 times and who's next swim will be his greatest physical and mental test yet. Meanwhile Hunter caught up with an adventurer about his legendary swim over the UK's most treacherous waters, a place which has been nicknamed "Hell's Mouth". We also hear from a stand-up comedienne and the UK's preeminent marathon swimmer who's also happens to be an expert in hypothermia.
This one's a real corker!
2020-07-3033 minSwimOutEpisode 2: Stepping Back InAs temperatures soar and the coronavirus grip loosens in some places, Vicki and Hunter are leaping back into the deep.
This episode we’re talking to a World Champion open water swimmer, Keri-Anne Payne, about the future of the sport as well as the insatiable journalist, filmmaker and Ambassador for the Outdoor Swimming Society, Calum Maclean about breaking out of lockdown!
We also have some top open water swimming tips from the one and only Dan Bullock of Swim for Tri and we’re listening in to your stories from around the globe.
2020-06-2628 minSwimOutEpisode 1: The English ChannelIntroducing Episode 1 of the SwimOut Podcast with Hunter and Vicki!
In our debut episode we spoke to SARAH THOMAS whose 4-way crossing in 2019 amazed us all, as well as the veteran English Channel coach
FREDA STREETER who's not only trained hundreds of Channel swimmers but is of course mother to Alison Streeter - Queen of the Channel.
2020-05-2930 min