Discover
Clever Dicks

Clever Dicks
Author: Jim & Duncan
Subscribed: 0Played: 23Subscribe
Share
© 2025 Clever Dicks
Description
A light hearted podcast by swimmers for ordinary people who like to swim.
Duncan & Jim have relaxed chats with many swimmers, and people around swimming. Most of the swimmers are New Zealand based, but we talk to swimmers around the world too.
All the swimmers have great stories to tell, many have dome cold swimming, many have done feats of endurance, but all are epic in their own way.
52 Episodes
Reverse
Send us a text This week we sit down with Auckland swimmer Dean Madsen — a man who knows what it means to push limits in and out of the water. Dean’s journey started in the world of triathlon and Ironman, where endurance and grit became part of his DNA. These days his focus is on two of New Zealand’s greatest open water challenges: the 40km Lake Taupō crossing and the legendary Cook Strait swim. But Dean’s story goes much deeper than training and KM's. Over the past year he’s faced a st...
Send us a text This chat is about a remarkable Kiwi story of grit, brains, and a touch of madness. We welcome back Brian Gray – a Kiwi Master Swimmer with a heart as big as the Waikato River itself. Brian recently swam an astonishing 150 km's down that very river, the one he grew up beside, in honour of his dad. It took him 24 hours straight – no sleep, battling the tide, and pushing through every obstacle nature and his own body could throw at him. From the sheer physical toll to the m...
Send us a text Today on the show we’re joined by an incredible duo – Stephen Moore and his wonderful wife Jo. Stephen, at 62, is still one of the fastest men in the water, but his story goes far beyond speed. He grew up learning to swim in the very same pool as Jo back in England – a connection that has lasted a lifetime. From ice swimming at the world championships, to weekend training sessions with the legendary Salty Dogs, Stephen has lived and breathed the sport. We dive into his nerves b...
Send us a text In today’s episode, we’re heading to the icy waters of Saint Bathans, where a remarkable group of swimmers braved temperatures of less than five degrees Celsius. Under the guidance of Ice Swimming President Roger Soulsby, these athletes pushed the very limits of physical endurance in one of the most breathtaking – and brutal – environments in New Zealand. But this challenge wasn’t faced alone. Alongside the swimmers were an incredible team of water safety officers, medics, doct...
Send us a text Today we’re joined by a man whose story will make you laugh, make you think, and maybe even make you tear up a little. He’s a Kiwi swimmer, a fighter, a smiler, and a guy who’s learning how to navigate life with a whole lot of heart – and with multiple sclerosis tagging along for the ride. Duncan Grant has spent years in and around the water, but these days, the real challenge isn’t the ocean – it’s the daily grind of living with MS. And yet, you’d never know it from his attitu...
Send us a text He’s one of New Zealand’s most loved, straight-talking comedians, a mental health advocate, and the force behind I AM HOPE – the movement that’s changing the way Kiwis think about mental health. He’s been on stages around the world, behind the mic, in schools, in parliament – and now, he’s with us… a sort of honorary Clever Dick. Today, we’re sitting down with Mike King – to hear not just about his journey through life, laughter, and loss – but also his evolving relations...
Send us a text Hey legends, welcome back to The Clever Dicks Open Water Podcast — where we dive deep into the minds of swimmers, coaches, and salty sea legends from around the world. Today, we’ve got an absolute ripper of a guest. She’s fast, she’s fierce, and she knows her stuff — it’s the amazing Merle Maud! Merle’s not just your average lane cruiser — she’s a certified Swim Smooth Coach, a seasoned Ironman athlete, and a passionate marathon swimmer who’s helping Aucklanders of all stripes ...
Send us a text Shannon House Keegan is an American marathon swimmer whose open water accomplishments stretch across many different bodies of water. From the mighty SCAR Challenge, to Lake Memphremagog to Lake George, Shannon has swum through some iconic and challenging waters. And when she’s not swimming, she’s talking – as the host of Intrepid Waters, a podcast where she explores the mental, physical, and emotional depths of open water swimming with fellow aquatic adventurers. With a he...
Send us a text In this episode we dive into the life of Peter Gibbs—a spirited adventurer from Nelson, New Zealand. Peter's journey from triathlon to the open waters of Abel Tasman National Park showcases his enduring passion for endurance sports. As a seasoned writer, he shares tales of his aquatic escapades and the vibrant community that surrounds them. Join us as we explore Peter's stories of resilience, camaraderie, and the call of the sea.
Send us a text After four and a half years of relentless training, countless setbacks, and a swim dream rooted in childhood memories, Mark finally conquered the mighty Cook Strait. What started off as a tribute to long summer days at the Te Awamutu Swimming Baths—run by his late father, Cor—evolved into a powerful personal journey of resilience, love, and legacy. Pushed by a deep family connection to swimming but also a desire to inspire his wife Michelle and their three young children,...
Send us a text Today we’re diving into a fantastic tool designed to help everyday Kiwis enjoy our beautiful beaches more safely - Safeswim. Safeswim has had some bad press within the Open Water Swimming Community, but when you remember that it was built for the general public — families, casual swimmers, and anyone heading to the beach — giving clear, accessible information so you can make safe and confident decisions before getting in the water, it starts making more sense. The p...
Send us a text Today we dive deep into the mind of an extraordinary human pushing the limits of what’s possible. Our guest is not just swimming in uncharted waters — he’s owning them. From the sun-soaked shores of Malta to the icy depths of world records, Neil Agius has redefined what it means to go the distance. A former Olympian turned ultra-endurance marathon swimmer, Neil etched his name in history with his jaw-dropping 142.3km swim around Malta — the longest unassisted, current neutral o...
Send us a text Welcome to the Clever Dicks Swim Podcast, where we dive into the stories of passionate open water swimmers who push the limits of endurance and determination. Today, we’re talking to Jan Steenkamp, an inspiring swimmer based in Auckland. Jan’s journey in the water began in high school, but it was eight years ago when he decided to get back into the water with a mission. In one of the most ambitious feats in the world of open water swimming, Jan attempted the daunting 80km...
Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the swim journey of ultra-marathon swimmer Jono Ridler, whose relentless determination took him from a debilitating shoulder injury to one of the most awe-inspiring endurance feats in New Zealand’s waters—his 99km, 33-hour swim from Great Barrier Island to Takapuna. Jono shares the mental and physical battles he faced, from hallucinations to the discipline required to balance elite-level swimming with everyday life. We explore the mindset that fuel...
Send us a text Today, we’re a little late in flying the flag in support of Nick Edwards, who made a gallant effort for 13 hours swimming across this massive stretch of water called the Cook Strait, battling fierce currents, icy temps, and unpredictable conditions. Unfortunately the ocean was not working with Nick today and the cold and huge currents put an end to his swim. But, he was not out there swimming on his own - his swim was to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, a disease...
Send us a text Milton Brest is not just a businessman from Johannesburg—he’s a force of nature. A former karate athlete, he has taken on some of the world’s most extreme open-water challenges, from braving the icy waters of the Bering Strait to swimming the treacherous currents around Alcatraz and Robben Island, meeting Eskimo's and swimming at the Base Camp of Everest. Training just steps away from the legendary Ellis Park Stadium, the home of Springbok rugby, Milton is no stranger to discip...
Send us a text Episode 35 sees the Clever Dicks chat with a true force in the world of open water swimming, Wellington’s very own Corrina Connor. She’s conquered the relentless currents of Foveaux Strait, battled the unpredictable Cook Strait, and taken on the vast, stunning Lake Taupō - completing New Zealand’s prestigious Triple Crown of Swimming. But Corrina is much more than just an endurance athlete—she’s also a musician, a librarian, and, as anyone who knows her will tell you, an absolu...
Send us a text Welcome to Clever Dicks, where we dive into the stories of extraordinary athletes who have redefined their sports and inspired the world. Today, we spotlight Mary Fisher, one of New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympic swimmers. Born with a visual impairment, Mary didn’t just overcome obstacles—she shattered records. A Paralympic gold medalist, world champion, and multiple world record-holder, she dominated the pool in events ranging from sprint freestyle to backstroke and medle...
Send us a text Today, we're thrilled to introduce a guest who’s taking the open water swimming scene by storm: Alex Dunkley. Alex is a young swimmer from Auckland starting out on his open water journey and learning some of the tricks of the trade. Recently back from a swim camp in Australia, although dominant in New Zealand, Alex now knows he have massive room for further improvement. Known for his lightning speed and unwavering determination, Alex has carved a name for himself as an unstoppa...
Send us a text Amy is the first person to swim the 29.7 miles or 48km's from San Francisco to the Farallon Island, dodging the sharks and the cold. She chats about balancing shift work as a pediatric nurse and her training, being a granny, and some of her other swims including swimming around Manhattan Island, Gibraltar Strait, North Channel and the Catalina Channel. Tough lady!