The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

The Rottnest Channel Swim is one of Western Australia's most iconic sporting events, attracting thousands of swimmers, paddlers, skippers, volunteers and supporters each year. But behind every successful crossing is a huge effort to balance tradition, participation and swimmer safety. In this episode, I speak with Will Rollo, President of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association, about his own journey in open water swimming and what it means to help steward one of the world's largest open water swimming events. We discuss the origins and evolution of the Rottnest Channel Swim, the role of teams and solos in growing the sport, the contribution of paddlers, skippers and volunteers, and how the Association approaches risk management, safety and decision-making in an increasingly complex environment. We also explore the role of research and innovation, including Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema (SIPE), route optimisation technology, weather-related challenges, out-of-event crossings, and the opportunities and responsibilities that come with guiding the event into the future. Whether you're planning your first crossing, supporting a swimmer, or simply interested in the people behind major endurance events, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the stewardship of the Rottnest Channel Swim and the community that makes it possible. Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. 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.  

Dr Andrew Lyttle has spent more than three decades helping athletes and coaches better understand how humans move through the water. From his PhD research on drag and swimming efficiency at UWA, through nearly 20 years at WAIS, to his current role as National Performance Support Lead for Biomechanics at the AIS, Andrew has been at the forefront of swimming biomechanics in Australia. In this episode, we explore the science of drag, why efficient swimming should feel easier rather than harder and how our understanding of technique has evolved over time. Andrew shares lessons from his research, his experiences working with elite swimmers and coaches, and some of the key biomechanical principles that apply to both pool and open water swimming. Whether you're a swimmer, triathlete, coach or simply curious about the science behind performance, this conversation offers a fascinating insight into what makes swimmers faster and more efficient in the water. Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. 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.  

Barbara Pellick: I Reckon I Could Swim Back   As a child, Barbara Pellick stood on Cottesloe Beach looking out towards Rottnest and wondered whether anyone could swim that far. Years later, after completing her first solo Rottnest crossing, she found herself standing on the beach at Rottnest thinking something even more ambitious: "I reckon I could swim back."   In this episode of The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming, Barb reflects on a lifetime in the water, from discovering open water swimming in Bunbury to completing 30 solo Rottnest Channel crossings, becoming the first woman to complete a Rottnest double crossing, and going on to become the first Western Australian to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. Along the way, we discuss: How a relatively late start led to a lifetime of marathon swimming The story behind her first solo Rottnest crossing and the decision to swim back What it was like attempting a Rottnest double crossing in 1994 The lessons learned from the English Channel, Manhattan Island, and Catalina Channel Completing more than 50 marathon swims without a DNF Why mindset matters more than most swimmers realise The joy of coaching and helping others achieve goals they once thought impossible Taking on the challenge of ice swimming and completing the Extreme Ice Mile Throughout the conversation, Barb reflects on persistence, self-belief, embracing challenge, and the importance of finding your own reason why. Whether you're training for your first open water swim or your next major challenge, Barb's story is a reminder that remarkable achievements often begin with a simple idea: "I reckon I could swim back." Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner, swim squad mate, or someone who loves the water. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to help the podcast reach more swimmers and support more conversations like this one. Follow The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss a future episode.   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.  

Charlotte O'Beirne is the founder of Swimming Women, open water swimmer, coach, community builder and self-described "Chief Mermaid". In this conversation, Charlotte shares her journey from competitive swimming in England to marathon ocean swimming in Western Australia, including multiple Rottnest Channel crossings and a personal battle with fear in the ocean. More importantly, she explains how those experiences led to the creation of Swimming Women, a community that has helped thousands of women build confidence, develop new skills and discover a sense of belonging in the water. We discuss the importance of safe and supportive swimming environments, the power of community, lessons learned from coaching women of all ages and abilities, and why swimming is often about much more than swimming itself. Whether you're a pool swimmer, open water swimmer, triathlete, coach, or someone considering a return to the water, this episode is a reminder that there are many ways to find your place in swimming. Links 🌊 Swimming Women https://www.swimmingwomen.com.au 📸 Swimming Women on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/swimmingwomen 📘 Swimming Women on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SwimmingWomen Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. 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.  

Dr Jeremy Drake is a cancer researcher at Deakin University, a former elite triathlete and a current world championship age-group medallist. More than twenty years ago, I had the opportunity to coach Jeremy during his early years in elite draft-legal triathlon. Since then, his journey has spanned international triathlon competition, a PhD in cancer biology and a career dedicated to understanding how exercise and stress influence cancer progression. In this conversation, we explore the lessons Jeremy learnt from elite sport, including a challenging introduction to draft-legal racing in Hobart and the persistence required to bounce back just six weeks later. We discuss the realities of balancing a PhD with high-performance sport, the role of resilience in both science and athletics and the personal experiences that shaped Jeremy's commitment to cancer research. Jeremy shares the story of his mother's breast cancer diagnosis, how it transformed his perspective as both a scientist and a son and the importance of persistence when facing setbacks in life, sport and research. We also dive into some fascinating emerging science exploring the relationship between exercise, stress and cancer. Jeremy explains what myokines are, how exercising muscles communicate with the rest of the body and why researchers are increasingly interested in the role physical activity may play in improving cancer outcomes. We also discuss: The unique demands of elite draft-legal triathlon Persistence, failure and learning from setbacks Balancing sport, research and life Stress and cancer progression Exercise as medicine Art, creativity and fundraising for cancer research The future of exercise oncology Links ProMetTre Cancer Research https://pmtcr.org/ Jeremy Drake, Deakin University https://experts.deakin.edu.au/43898-jeremy-drake Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. 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.