Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Amy Caldwell
Swim History Before SwimTrek
As a youngster I swam competitively for my local swim team. Although I was never very fast, I loved being a part of the swimming community. I went on to train as a swimming teacher, and I have been teaching children to swim for the last 12 years which I love! I fell into open water swimming in 2021 when a relay team was in need of a swimmer for an English Channel swim, and I thought that seemed like a fun thing to get involved with. Since then I have completed Coniston, Ullswater and Windermere end-to-end swims and have attempted a solo swim of the English Channel.
Most memorable swim moment
In 2023 I was my friend's support swimmer during her English Channel solo. It was such a privilege to be a part of such an amazing swim and I was so, SO excited to see her land in France!
Top Swimming Tip
Ear plugs! When I first started swimming outdoors I didn't wear ear plugs because I thought they were just for people who had ear infections - wrong! I couldn't survive without them now.
Interesting Fact About You
My relay team successfully crossed the English Channel even though more than half of us had never met before. Due to the pandemic, we weren't able to train together. Now, after our big adventure, we're be bonded for life!
Niamh Ryan
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have been swimming for as long as I can remember. Living 10 minutes from a choice of 5 different beaches, the swimming addiction was inevitable.... my friends are even convinced I am part fish! For 8 years, I competed at regional and national level in Ireland and loved every second of it, even the 5am trainings before school (and my parents too as you can imagine). Every summer, I would swim in the sea with a local group and train while pool swimming was on a break.. and then I caught the bug! Sea swimming took over while I was in college and there was nothing more I looked forward to than coming home for a dip in the sea at the weekend. I also gained my beach lifeguard qualification and have spent years volunteering as safety crew for a local business, as well as togging out myself as much as possible.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Swimming around the lighthouse at my home beach with my dad, and seeing the local pod of 3 dolphins about 5m away from us checking us out!
Top Swimming Tip
You’ll never regret a swim! Take every chance to dive in, even if it's just a splash around, it's guaranteed to make everything better :) And bring a friend - it's safer, and a great way to hold yourself accountable, especially on those cold winter mornings.
Interesting Fact About You
While travelling Indonesia, I ended up on a 40minute ferry ambulance in the middle of the night, with my drip attached to a railing, and getting soaked by the waves hitting the boat!
Oscar Porras Perez
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I was born by the sea in Spain and I started swimming and surfing in the sea at a very young age. Being in the sea is something that feels natural to me, even in challenging sea conditions. I love being in the sea and that's why I have been a beach lifeguard for 22 years. I swim in the sea weekly as I love it. Also, I have taken part in several open water events in Spain (swimming marathons, triathlons, and Aquathlons)
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Enjoying a swim session in the sea with my colleagues in rough conditions where we can test ourselves and have a nice chat afterwards with a big a happy smile on our faces.
Top Swimming Tip
If you are not sure, don't go in.
Interesting Fact About You
I love learning new things. As an example, I studied Engineering, then I worked as a beach lifeguard 22 for years in Spain, UK, and Australia, and now I'm planning on studying Emergency nursing (equivalent to Paramedic in the UK) at University.
Keith Warner
Swim History Before SwimTrek
40 Years of Ironman and other triathlons done badly! Not very good at running! 55 Years of swimming and sea kayaking in the North Sea! Looking for Luxury Now
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Supportive Swim Leg with a Friend swimming the English Channel and his training with him leading to the event! Swan the light of most English Lakes
Top Swimming Tip
Don't Race the person next to you! & Enjoy!
Interesting Fact About you
"I do truly plan as if i am going to live forever, live as if i am going to pass tomorrow!"
Orlaith Martin
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Orlaith grew up as a competitive swimmer, dedicating most of her time to training. In the summers, she transitioned to surf lifesaving, gaining experience in both pool and open water swimming. Now, she swims 3-4 times a week in her local pool and enjoys outdoor swims in a nearby quarry during the summer months.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
My most memorable swimming moment has to be one with friends during a sunset on our favourite local beach in Clare.
Top Swimming Tip
Relax, and have fun!
Interesting Fact About You
I'm currently writing a film about remote lifeguards working off the coast of Ireland.
Charles Moir
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Growing up in a small surfing town in Western Australia I started swimming lessons at our local beach. Our family joined the local Surf Life Saving Club too and we began to adventure through South West Australia searching for open water events and racing at Surf Comps. I have enjoyed teaming up with my family for Enduro swimming events like the Rottnest Channel Swim and Lake Argyle Open Water Swim. When I am not racing, I am water safety on a board, boat or kayak. Working as a swim instructor and beach lifeguard all over West Oz I have the luxury of sharing the waters with sharks, crocodiles and jelly fish. As a passionate swimmer I will spend the winter months training lengths in the pool and as summer comes around, I am back into open water swim events. These days I compete for the enjoyment of sharing the marine adventures with my friends and family and staying fit.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
The Lake Argyle Open Water Swim in Western Australia's far north is my most memorable swim. Celebrating a family birthday, we flew to the Ord River to compete as a team in the 20km fresh water, crocodile friendly event. The magic savannah, rocky outcrops and untamed wilderness contrasting the deep blue waters of the Australia's second largest man made lake. This oasis in the Kimberley we trekked through is an all time high for me.
Top Swimming Tip
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Interesting Fact About You
I have a bachelors degree in nutrition. Which still can't help me choose ripe fruit, because I'm also a little colorblind
Nicholas Hale
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I used to swim for a local club in my youth which gave me a good grounding and allowed me to be comfortable in the water wherever I find myself. I have lived in the US, New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia and always stick to the coast so I can combine swimming with healthy doses of boating, fishing, paddle boarding, a bit of surfing. I worked as an ASA Swim Instructor and pool lifeguard at the University of Birmingham for a number of years.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Sunset swimming and snorkeling at Paniatan Island, Indonesia.
Top Swimming Tip
Think about why you are there and enjoy it!
Interesting Fact About You
I have a stream named after me in Alaska!
Eoin Schaefer
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I have been a swimmer since I was very young and swam mostly for fun all the way through my time in school. I started veering towards open-water swimming as I got older, especially after I started lifeguarding in Galway. I spent my last 5 summers lifeguarding there and swimming in Galway Bay. I have also taken part in Surf Lifesaving locally for 9 years and have competed on a national level every summer.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Spending every day during the pandemic lockdowns at the beach (it made it very bearable).
Top Swimming Tip
Get a friend involved and you'll keep it up!
Interesting Fact About you
I was once #1 in the world in Modern Family trivia
Rachel O'Riordan
Swim History Before SwimTrek
Swimming has saved my mental and physical health many times! I was always a strong swimmer, but as an adult I started club swimming in about 2017. Its been one of my main hobbies ever since, and I've trained as a swim teacher too, coaching teenagers and adults with a club in South London. I've swum Coniston, around the Scilly Isles, The Kilarrey Fjord in Ireland and done lots of sea swimming in Brighton and Bournemouth.
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Swimming with my young daughters about 1k out to a rock off a beach in Croatia. They felt so brave, mustering up the boldness to go on the adventure with me. It was deep and they were scared of swimming over the deep bits. But we all did it together.
Top Swimming Tip
Swim from the hips
Interesting Fact About You
I was once on a sinking ship: The Jupiter, which sank in Piraeus harbour in 1988. I was on a school trip which should have been a cruise around some historic sites. But the ship was hit by another vessel. Myself and a classmate were on the ship when it went down. I was rescued from the water by a Greek fishing boat.
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