Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Cliff Golding
Swim history before SwimTrek
In the autumn of 1991 I decided I wanted to swim the Channel. This was an odd decision as I was a skinny marathon runner with no previous experience as a swimmer save for a bronze certificate. Six attempts and five years later I finally succeeded. I did it again in 2003 and, in the six years until that second swim, I swam round Jersey three times, Lake Zurich three times and Windermere twice. I seem to have a thing for hat tricks! I have a third Windermere swim now and two Jersey to France (J2F) swims in the portfolio. To complete five hat tricks I need another J2F and a Channel solo. Hmmm, we’ll see! I am running marathons and ultras again but have dusted off the Speedos and am back in the pool.
Most memorable swim moment
Walking out onto Wissant Beach in France 13 hours and 17 minutes after I had walked into the sea off Shakespeare Beach in Dover to finally become a Channel swimmer. It remains my most memorable and most empowering moment in open water swimming.
Top swimming tip
1) Get a good coach who understands open water swimming. I should have done that at the beginning of my swim career.
2) If you aspire to do one or more of the big open water swims, when it gets tough (it always does at some point) and you think you can’t carry on, you can. It is mostly always that space between your ears that can dictate an outcome. When you think you are at the end of your ability and endurance, you aren't. Are you fully responsive to command from your pilot or crew? Can you recite your phone number, date of birth without hesitation? If you can, and your pilot and crew concur, you can almost certainly put one arm in front of the other and prevail. Then you can bask in the glory of your achievement. .
Interesting fact about you
I write, I make art, I juggle, I used to ride a unicycle for fun, whilst juggling (but I fell off a lot - so I don't do it anymore!)
April Marshall
Swim History Before SwimTrek
I was actually born in the bath - came out swimming! From a young age I joined part of Voluntary Lifeguard group in Eastbourne, started as a nipper then progressed to help coach. I trained to become a pool and beach lifeguard as soon as I could, where I started working summer seasons lifeguarding on the beach. After working a summer lifeguarding in America, I got the travel bug which lead me to working as Cabin Crew. I was very fortunate to visit and swim in some tropical locations. Thought I'd then combine both my love of travel and swimming with my safety cover experience by becoming a guide!
Most Memorable Swim Moment
Being part of the 2023 'SwimTrekkin to France' English Channel relay team and swimming in the middle of the shipping lane - an experience I will never forget.
Top Swimming Tip
Remember to breath, relax and enjoy the swim.
Interesting Fact
I took a phone call on my 18th Birthday, I thought it was work... turns out it was Gethin Jones! He was down the beach with the lifeguards presenting for a new television show!
Orla Bredin
Swim history before swim trek
I grew up on the west coast of Ireland and swimming has always been a huge part of my life since I was very young. As a child and teenager I swam competitively with Ennis Swimming and Lifesaving Club and competed with our local Surf Life Saving team. Winters were for swimming laps on cold mornings in a pool and summers were for sea swimming. I gave up competitive swimming in my late teens but at that stage I was lifeguarding on the beaches in Co. Clare and teaching swimming lessons most days. After university I returned to live by the sea so I could continue to swim and explore our beautiful ocean and coastline.
Most memorable swim moment?
It is very difficult to choose just one stand out moment, however, in September 2021 there were large groups of basking sharks off the coast near where I lived. They had been there for weeks and it was thought that they came together for mating season. One afternoon at the end of the season, I was in Kilkee and got chatting to a diver at the pier who was going out on a boat to see them. I smiled and chanced my arm asking if I could tag along and low and behold they let me! We headed out about 3 km from shore in search of these sea giants. We were looking for maybe 30/45 minutes when we saw some fins. Suddenly the driver stopped the boat and said “everyone in the water now”. Before I knew it I was in the water next to 5 or 6 basking sharks, the second biggest shark in the world. We kept our distance but now that mating season was finishing they were less distracted by each other and a few in particular took an interest in us circling around us. Despite their size, they are incredibly docile and gentle creatures. It’s hard to describe the feeling of being in the ocean next to these gentle giants. This was definitely a pinch me moment, and for it to have happened so close to home made it all the more special.
Top swimming tip.
Being consistently good is better than being amazing on occasion. Stay consistent, you might not see progress everyday but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t progressing. But overall - have fun and don’t forget to play.
Interesting fact
When I'm not in the ocean I can be found on a mountain or in a forest. I used to live in Nepal and since then I've organised multiple yoga retreats to the Himalayas with the intention of connecting people to themselves and the land
Fulvio D'Alessandro
Swim history before SwimTrek
Unlike many swimmers, I don't have a background in pool swimming as a child, in fact I started swimming seriously at the age of 26. I started swimming following serious knee surgery after a motorbike accident, when swimming was basically my rehab. After the first few months, the walls and lanes of the pool began to feel cramped, and since I was born and raised near the sea and with a love for it and for nature, I began my journey into open water swimming. In a very short time I literally fell in love with open water swimming and developed a great passion for it, so much so that I started training with consistency and seriousness and started taking part in numerous events around the world, specializing in long distance swims. Today I train with a group of Master swimmers in the pool and swim in the sea non-stop throughout the year. In the last two years I started my professional training to try to transform this passion of mine into a job, and here I am today to be part of this beautiful company that is SwimTrek!
Most memorable swim moment
There are many moments that I remember with joy, perhaps the most memorable of them dates back to the second stage of an event in Morocco, a beautiful open water swimming competition divided into four stages on the coasts of the Sahara desert. That day the sea conditions were very harsh, waves and wind, and I remember this moment in which I saw a flock of pink flamingos flying above us in the sky, with the dunes of the Sahara desert in the distance. I remember at that moment having felt the deep sensation of being alive!
Top swimming tip
The more tired we are, the more our technique deteriorates, dragging us into a spiral from which it is difficult to escape. Only calmness and concentration allow us to maintain our technique in the hardest moments!
Interesting fact
As mentioned before, I started swimming seriously at a fairly advanced age, but despite this, thanks to the commitment and passion I have put in over the years, I find myself achieving results that I thought were unattainable.
Scott Schroeder
Swim History before SwimTrek
I have always loved swimming. I swam competitively through high school and college, and then off-and-on with various masters swim clubs. Swimming has always been my go-to activity, and having it in my life has brought me joy, and helped me bounce back from the occasional low point. In recent years I have embraced open-water swimming and have participated in a number of awesome events including Alcatraz Sharkfest, Vancouver Around the Bay Challenge, and the Au I Nā Mokupuni ‘Ekolu Hawaii Channel Crossings.
I’m always looking for new ways to encourage others to swim, and to embrace swimming as a fun and healthy activity. I was fortunate enough to take part in a SwimTrek tour in the Greek Islands, and it was an exceptional experience! I wanted to become a SwimTrek guide because it's a unique opportunity to promote an activity that I love.
Most memorable swim moment
There are so many, but one definitely happened at the start of the Alcatraz Sharkfest swim when 900+ swimmers were off the ferries and in the water. I looked around me and as far as I could see were literally 100’s of yellow bathing caps bobbing in the deep, rough water, and couldn’t help but think how crazy it was… and then the race started, which was crazier.
Top swimming tip
There may be moments when swimming open water that seem a bit scary, when the waves or currents feel too big or too strong, and the conditions may not be in your favour. Take a moment to relax, breathe, and then just keep swimming.
Interesting fact
I have a passion for long-distance motorcycle trips.
Margaux Verger Gourson
Swim history before SwimTrek
I've been swimming for as long as I can remember. I am the youngest of two and first entered a pool as I was following my sister around. I've always been fascinated by water. I swam competitively for many years, representing France on youth teams for both pool and open water, and then moving to the US to swim in college. I then also started teaching and coaching and rediscovered my love for the sport through those I was helping. Swimming has enabled me to travel and meet people from all backgrounds who inspire me. I love the connection that exists between people who love to swim and care for the element that gives us so much passion.
Most memorable swim moment
When I went to World Junior Championships for open water, it had been a very long season and the preparation for it had been rough. I remember being there after the race and being in one of those suspended in time moments where I could really realize and enjoy the present moment. After the meet was over I went back to the starting line and did a massive cannonball that I knew I wanted to remember forever. I can still feel everything about it today.
Top swimming tip
Embrace the element, utilize it to get to know your body and mind better and never underestimate either your abilities nor the power of the water. Technique-wise, optimize your glide.
Interesting fact
After Covid, I quit my day job and went to Mexico to bartend. I then also sort of started an ice cream business that was never very profitable because I was eating too much of it myself.
Richard Parsons
Swim history before SwimTrek
I started Open Water Swimming many moons ago, and have loved dipping around in the UK ever since - Shepperton Swimming Lake is my favourite local spot, and I love the Level Water events, like the Bantham Swoosh and Hurly Burly. Outside the UK, I've swam the Defi de Monte Cristo in Marseille a few times (highly recommend) and - when I used to travel for work - did quite a few swims in odd places. The morning swim from Manly Beach to Paradise Cove in Sydney was always a good one. And I'm recently back from Japan where I found lots of amazing places, empty beaches and clean seas.
Most memorable swim moment
Well it wasn't strictly swimming, but I was stung by a sting ray in Mexico a few years back. They say it's God's way of showing men what childbirth feels like. Not one I will forget!
Top swimming tip
Avoid stingrays. And practise breathing comfortably on both sides, you never know when it will be an absolute necessity in the ocean. And have a good swimming playlist in your mind before a swim, avoid the earworms getting in!
Interesting fact
err, the sting ray again?!
Maureen Corcoran
Swim history before SwimTrek
Growing up in the rugged mountainous deep south of New Zealand, I am from the most inland town, the furthest place from the beach you could get. Who would have thought I would spend my adult life working in and around water. I have been lucky enough to gain invaluable experience in these roles: Lifeguarding and Swim Teaching in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Papua New Guinea; Scuba Diving in Croatia, Open Water Swimming in Portugal, Vanuatu, Spain and many beautiful SwimTrek locations.
Most memorable moment
Swimming in the crystal clear waters of Papua New Guinea, absolutely stunning
Top swimming tip
Relax, Breathe and enjoy…
Interesting fact
I am a nomad, my home is where my next adventure is
Fern Paton
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have always been a water baby - I grew up on the beaches of Cornwall and started training with my local Surf Life Saving Club when I was 8 years old. I later joined my local swimming club and trained routinely through my school studies with them. Although I loved this pool based training, I have always lived for the spring and summer months when I can start and end my day with a sunny sea or seapool swim, the open water events also kick in and we can go on expeditions along the coast.
After finishing my studies, I flew to Australia for a gap year where, despite facing challenges of 'stinger season' and not having set times in the week dedicated to swim training, I loved discovering good swimming spots - finding ocean pools and much clearer seas than at home!
Most memorable swim moment
One that stands out is the sea swim at a particular Cornish Surf Club Nipper championships where I pretty much rolled onto Portreath beach as a 10 year old Nipper, covered from head to toe in sand and seaweed, after completing a swim through 6 foot waves and a stormy shore dump!
Top swimming tip
Remember that you never regret a swim and ALWAYS pack a spare hat!
Interesting fact
I could swim before I could walk!
Georgia Landy
Swim history before SwimTrek
Living by the coast has meant that swimming in open water has been a huge part of my life. Some of my earliest memories are in swimming pools on holiday with family, or competing in local club galas. I have always had a competitive spirit and spent a lot of my childhood and teenage years competing in swimming competitions with school or college. It then transitioned to triathlons that were a mix of pool or open water. One of my favourite memories from childhood was taking part in my local club-sponsored mile sea swim with my family. For the last 6 years, I have worked for the RNLI as a beach lifeguard along the South East coast. I have had the opportunity to work with incredible people who also love the sea and swimming almost as much as I do.
Most memorable swim moment
Whilst at work one afternoon, the beach was very quiet due to the rain and cold weather so I decided to go for a swim. As I had reached the yellow buoys a few hundred meters off the shoreline, a seal pup popped up no more than a few meters away from me. The pup just stared and started swimming and splashing around me seeming to want to play. I kept swimming along and the seal just followed along when another seal seemed to join. They just seemed to follow me on my training session and just stopped every so often to have a look. It was very surreal with the rain hitting the sea, but it just reminded me just how much I love exploring the open water.
Top swimming tip
Nice slow and controlled breathing will make a swim so much smoother and more enjoyable. Take a big gulp of air, and slowly blow that breath out to allow your arms to naturally roll over the water. This will make a swim far more efficient and therefore increase swimming capacity.
Interesting fact
I once did first aid on a member of the royal family.
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