The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

In this special bonus episode of The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming, we bring you a public lecture from Associate Professor Heather Massey of the University of Portsmouth, recorded during her visit to Perth as part of a University of Western Australia Institute of Advanced Studies Fellowship. One of the world's leading researchers in cold water immersion, swimmer safety and outdoor swimming, Heather is also an English Channel solo swimmer herself. In this fascinating lecture, she brings together her scientific expertise and personal experience to explore what it really takes to swim one of the world's most iconic and demanding endurance challenges. Drawing on research from the University of Portsmouth's Extreme Environments Laboratory, Heather explores the physiology of cold water immersion, the body's response to cold shock, cold adaptation and thermoregulation. She explains why swimmers respond so differently to cold water, how insulation and metabolic heat production influence cooling, and why becoming accustomed to cold water can have both benefits and risks. Heather also takes us behind the scenes of her own English Channel crossing, sharing insights into the preparation, training and practical decisions that helped her get from England to France. She discusses feeding strategies, managing body temperature, the importance of keeping stops short, working with your crew and pilot, and the challenges that swimmers can encounter along the way. Perhaps most importantly, Heather highlights the things that science can help us understand, the things we still don't know, and why successful channel swimming requires more than simply being a strong swimmer. It requires careful preparation, an understanding of the environment, and the ability to trust the people supporting you when conditions are beyond your control. Whether you're considering an English Channel crossing, preparing for a long-distance open water swim, coaching endurance swimmers, or simply fascinated by the science of human performance in cold water, this is a lecture full of valuable insights. This recording is from a live public lecture, so you may hear occasional references to slides and images. For the full presentation experience, you can also watch the video version on YouTube.   Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, please consider sharing it with a friend, training partner, or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. If there's a swimmer, coach, researcher, paddler or race director whose story you'd like to hear on the podcast, I'd love to hear your suggestions for future guests. You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates. This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

  What happens when swimming becomes about more than performance? In this episode of The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming, I sit down with marathon swimmer Andy Donaldson to explore the experiences, lessons and values that have shaped one of the most accomplished open-water swimmers in the world. Originally from Scotland and now based in Perth, Andy became the first person to complete the Oceans Seven challenge within a single calendar year and has set multiple world and channel records along the way. But beyond the achievements, this conversation explores the person behind the swims. We discuss Andy's journey from pool swimming to marathon swimming, the influence of moving to Western Australia, what local swimmers often take for granted, and the role that science, preparation and decision-making play in successful open-water performance. We also explore Andy's recent Ord River swim, his commitment to mental health advocacy, and why he believes sport should enrich your life rather than take it over. In this episode we discuss: Growing up in Scotland and finding a path in open-water swimming The transition from pool swimming to marathon swimming The influence of Perth and Western Australia's swimming culture Performance, preparation and learning from science Lessons from the Ord River Dam-to-Dam swim Mental health, resilience and purpose Building community and creating positive impact through sport Whether you're new to open-water swimming or preparing for your next marathon swim, Andy offers thoughtful insights into what it means to use swimming as a vehicle for challenge, connection and positive change.   If you would like to connect with Andy: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdonaldson1/ Facbeook – https://www.facebook.com/andy.swimming Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/andy.swimming/ Website – www.andyswimming.com   Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, please consider sharing it with a friend, training partner, or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. If there's a swimmer, coach, researcher, paddler or race director whose story you'd like to hear on the podcast, I'd love to hear your suggestions for future guests. You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.  

In 2013, Anna-Carin Nordin became the first woman in history to complete the Oceans Seven, one of the most demanding challenges in marathon swimming. But as this conversation reveals, her story is about much more than seven iconic channel swims. Growing up in Sweden, Anna-Carin developed an early love of the water that has now spanned more than five decades. From cold lakes and outdoor pools to some of the world's most challenging open-water crossings, swimming has been a constant thread throughout her life. In this episode, we explore what has kept Anna-Carin motivated after more than 50 years in the sport, why curiosity continues to drive her towards new adventures, and how her relationship with challenge has evolved over time. We discuss the lessons she learned through Oceans Seven, the role of patience and perseverance in long-term success, and why she continues to seek new experiences in the water long after achieving one of marathon swimming's most prestigious milestones. We also explore the importance of community, the value of stepping beyond what feels comfortable, and what Anna-Carin has learned from a lifetime of swimming, coaching and guiding others. Whether you're training for your first open-water event, contemplating a bigger challenge, or simply hoping to stay active and engaged in the sport for years to come, there is plenty to take away from this thoughtful and inspiring conversation. Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, please consider sharing it with a friend, training partner, or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. If there's a swimmer, coach, researcher, paddler or race director whose story you'd like to hear on the podcast, I'd love to hear your suggestions for future guests. You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates. This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.  

Most swimmers dream of crossing to Rottnest once. Andrew Page has done it 51 times. In this episode, Andrew shares the story of a swimming journey that began long before his first Rottnest crossing and evolved into a lifetime of challenge, curiosity and connection. From growing up in Queensland and Victoria, to moving to Perth and saying yes to a spontaneous invitation to swim to Rottnest, Andrew reflects on the experiences, people and habits that have shaped his remarkable time in the water. We discuss the friendships that underpin marathon swimming, including the long-standing relationship with his skipper that has supported dozens of crossings, the role of coaches and training squads, and the importance of family in helping swimmers pursue ambitious goals. Along the way, Andrew reflects on preparing for marathon swims, overcoming setbacks, completing the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, and the lessons learned from more than two decades of returning to the same stretch of ocean. At its heart, this is a conversation about good habits, great friends, staying curious, and why the challenge of open water swimming continues to draw us back year after year.   Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, please consider sharing it with a friend, training partner, or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. If there's a swimmer, coach, researcher, paddler or race director whose story you'd like to hear on the podcast, I'd love to hear your suggestions for future guests. You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates.   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.  

What happens when a lifelong swimmer develops the tools to understand what's happening beneath the surface? In this episode, I sit down with Dr Elizabeth Sinclair, evolutionary biologist, conservation geneticist, marine scientist, and long-time endurance athlete. Liz shares her journey from a self-described novice open water swimmer completing her first triathlon in the United States, to representing Australia at Age Group World Championships on 18 occasions. Along the way, we explore memorable races around the world, the challenges of open water swimming, and the lessons learned through decades of endurance sport. We also dive into Liz's scientific career, from early research on quokkas and conservation genetics to her work studying seagrass ecosystems, environmental change, and marine resilience in Shark Bay. But perhaps the most fascinating part of the conversation is how her perspective on the ocean has changed. Where she once hurried across reefs and seagrass beds, she now finds herself slowing down to observe the remarkable ecosystems beneath her. It's a reminder that the more we understand the environments we swim through, the more connected to them we become. Whether you're an open water swimmer, triathlete, ocean lover, or simply curious about the natural world, this is a conversation about sport, science, curiosity, and learning to see the ocean differently.   You can connect with Dr Elizabeth Sinclair on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seagrassliz/       Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation interesting, please share it with a friend, training partner, or swim buddy. Your support helps more people discover the podcast and these conversations. You can also follow The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming on your favourite podcast platform and through Instagram and Facebook, and leave a rating, review, or comment to help others find the show. This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.