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An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast

William Ellis
  • 4.8 (30)
  • SWIMMING

Outdoor swimming is one of the fastest growing activities in the world, the benefits of which are well documented across many platforms and media. Each episode of this podcast I (Will Ellis) will be asking the same set of questions to my guests in order to hear their swim story, find out what the water means to them, and in doing so find the common ground between us all: the love of the water itself. @owswimpod (Insta / Threads)

  1. 5.8 Dani Wallwork

    3D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    5.8 Dani Wallwork

    (Available to subscribers only from 14th Feb. Episode free to play 21st Feb). This episode is sort of the second part to episode 6, the chat with Andy Cornish, as on the same day and exactly the same time, Dani Wallwork set off to also complete the 70km of Lake Geneva. Both swimmers went through some of the most apocryphal conditions I have ever seen at night, and, like Andy, Dani called time on her swim at approximately 17 hours and roughly 55km in. Dani is no stranger to lake swimming, holding the world record for the fastest one way, two way and three way Windermere swim in a wetsuit. She has also completed Lake Zurich, and is fair to say is a rapid swimmer… I loved this episode as although I wasn’t on her boat for her Lake Geneva attempt, I was of course on the water at the same time, so I saw first hand the conditions she had to battle through. I hope you enjoy listening to Dani Wallwork!

    1h 5m
  2. 5. B5 Mark Sheridan

    6D AGO · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    5. B5 Mark Sheridan

    Available to subscribers only until end of Season 5 (March 2026). This guest came on the podcast originally way back in 2023… he has swam the English Channel three times and has now taken to completing many more lake swims to add to his enormous swimming CV. Notably he was the first British person to swim the 70km of Lake Geneva and has since gone on to complete Lake Taupo, Lake Zurich and many more with his sights on further lakes soon… He also arranges the international Steve Wand memorial swims every year where around 100 swimmers congregate over a weekend for two days of 100x100 in memory of Steve who lost his life in 2016. It is Mark Sheridan….

    22 min

  3. FEB 7

    5.7 Sami Robertson

    (Episode free to play 14th Feb) This week’s guest is a Channel Swimmer, having also swam the 20 bridges of Manhattan, and Gibraltar - with The Cook Straight on his swim calendar any day now… Some big swims under his belt, and he isn't done yet. He has also forged ahead with a new business that reflects his passion for the water, namely Wildpool Shoes. If you haven’t checked them out, they are well worth a gander for any water lover. We chat about the addictiveness of swimming and trying to combine a business to the hobby we all love and want to do more of… it’s Sami Robertson.

    46 min
  4. 5. B4 Andrew Donaldson

    FEB 1 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    5. B4 Andrew Donaldson

    Available to subscribers only until end of Season 5 (March 2026). I have the nicest World Record Holder back on the podcast, he’s an astonishing swimmer: swimming faster than most can only dream; but has also become a global ambassador for our sport, championing change in our oceans and doing all he can to remain as front facing as possible. He completed the Ocean Seven in 2023 when he became the first person in history to achieve the Oceans Seven within a calendar year, and he also holds the record for the fastest cumulative time.… among his number of swimming achievements since the O7 include a record breaking Round Manhattan Swim and he’s gone on to swim around Ibiza in a two person relay with Nathalie Phol, braking another record in the process. It’s of course the wonderful Andy Donaldson.

    49 min

  5. JAN 31

    5.6 Andrew Cornish

    (Available 31st January to subscribers. Episode free to play Saturday 7th February) I’ve been looking forward to this episode for some time… in July 2025, Andy Cornish swam the 33km of the English Channel. He had been blown out in 2024 rather frustratingly, due to an unlucky combination of weather, pilots retiring and boat malfunctions... He also had booked to swim the 70km of Lake Geneva in 2025: So two huge swims ended up being booked for the same year. I was lucky enough to crew for him on his Lake Geneva undertaking which was an breathtaking experience for everyone involved. Andy hit the most ferocious storm during the night on his 70km attempt which very nearly derailed the entire event: almost zero visibility, lightening, torrential rain and a fierce wind that whipped the lake up into a maelstrom for about seven hours… Andy managed to stick out the storm (and the night) and continue to swim non stop for exactly 24 hours, albeit through very gritted teeth, and landed at Meillerie, just shy of the finish. He had his swim ratified at an amazing 51km and he joined the 24hour club in the process. This is an amazing story of stop start - being on the so-called "Dovercoaster" - and also being content and satiated with the day that mother nature can give you, knowing you gave your all on such a massive lake… I recorded some voice notes throughout the day a few of which I play to Andy on the podcast for the first time… if you listen carefully you can hear him swimming in the back ground… Andrew Cornish everyone!

    1h 6m

  6. JAN 24

    5.5 Sharon van Rouwendaal

    This lady needs no introduction, having been crowned the greatest competitive open water swimmer of all time. She won three Olympic medals, Gold at Tokyo 2016, Silver at Rio 2020 and then Gold in her final Olympics in that famous 10km in Paris 2024, where the course was challenging to say the least. On top of that she is a double World Champion in the 10km, and has won more medals in the pool and other Open Water distances. She really is the GOAT, and it was my privilege to be able to bring this chat to you… it’s Sharon van Rouwendaal…!

    35 min
  7. 5. B3 Paul Newsome

    JAN 21 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    5. B3 Paul Newsome

    Episode free to play at the end of Season 5 (March 2026) This bonus episode is with the "Swim Smooth" founder and all round swimmer and international coach Paul Newsome. He came onto the podcast 5 years ago and a lot has changed since then with the launch of his swim smooth guru app; designed for swimmers to create their own training plans and it also gives live feedback on your stroke… and he is just happens to be in the best swim shape of his life. He recently completed a gruelling 16km degree swim in 30 degree water (his son periodically pouring iced water on his head) and is about to embark on another Rottnest swim, although this time as a relay. He continually champions our sport across the world and it was a delight as ever to have him on. Enjoy!

    30 min

  8. JAN 17

    5.4 Attila Manyoki

    Today’s guest is a remarkable athlete: he completed the Ocean’s Seven in 2019 in a then world record time, and along the way suffered multiple visits to hospital, having been pulled unconscious out of the water twice on the odd delayed success; thanks largely to the tricky and unpredictable waters of the North Channel were he had asphyxia due to jellyfish stings, a collapsed lung and hypothermia. On separate occasions… He swam on the FINA world cup circuit, representing his native Hungary, and among his high number of other very long swims include completing an incredible 80 km crossing of Lake Balaton in 25 hours 32 minutes to join the 24-Hour Club, back in 2008. This man is a machine and an unbelievable swimmer… it’s Attila Manyoki!

    52 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

Outdoor swimming is one of the fastest growing activities in the world, the benefits of which are well documented across many platforms and media. Each episode of this podcast I (Will Ellis) will be asking the same set of questions to my guests in order to hear their swim story, find out what the water means to them, and in doing so find the common ground between us all: the love of the water itself. @owswimpod (Insta / Threads)

Information

  • Creator
    William Ellis
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © William Ellis
  • Show Website
    An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast
  • Provider
    William Ellis

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