The Open Water Adventure Sports Podcast

Mick Sutton

Dive into the world beyond the shoreline. This podcast is all about open water sports and the people who live for them — from scuba diving and surfing to kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, and everything in between. Each episode features honest, relaxed conversations with people who’ve built their lives around the water, whether they’re professionals, passionate hobbyists, or simply can’t imagine life without the ocean, rivers, or lakes. We explore what draws people to open water, the highs and lows of the lifestyle, the skills it takes to stay safe, and the stories that only come from time spent out there. Expect real experiences, practical insights, and plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves adventure, freedom, and being on (or under) the water. Whether you’re an experienced water person or just starting to explore open water hobbies, this podcast is your place to learn, connect, and feel a little closer to the water — wherever you are.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 10 - Deep Wreck Diving with Dom Robinson

    What does it take to explore shipwrecks at depths where a mistake can have serious consequences? In this episode of the Open Water Adventure Sports Podcast, I’m joined by Dom Robinson, a UK-based deep wreck diver and creator of the popular Deep Wreck Diver YouTube channel. Dom takes us beneath the surface and into a world that most of us will never experience. We talk about how his journey into scuba diving began, what drew him towards deep wreck diving, and how a fascination with shipwrecks has developed into a passion for exploring, investigating and documenting some remarkable underwater sites. We get into the realities of diving at extreme depths — from the equipment and gas management involved, to decompression, the use of scooters and the enormous amount of planning and redundancy required before entering the water. But deep wreck diving isn't simply about the technical challenge. Dom explains the detective work that can go into locating and identifying wrecks, including researching historical records and piecing together clues before even getting into the water. We also talk about what it's like to descend to around 100 metres, how you manage the mental pressure of a deep dive, what can go wrong, and how you balance exploring a wreck with the overriding priority of getting yourself and your team safely back to the surface. And then there are the wrecks themselves. We discuss the most beautiful and frightening wrecks Dom has encountered, the human stories behind the ships, and whether a wreck should be thought of primarily as a dive site, an archaeological site, or a piece of history. It's a fascinating insight into a highly specialised form of diving — part exploration, part detective work and part technical challenge. If you've ever wondered what lies on the seabed, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    Episode 10 - Deep Wreck Diving with Dom Robinson
  2. Jan 30

    Building British Surfers: Team GB Coaching and Surf Solutions with Joel GRAY

    In this episode, I’m joined by Joel Gray, a hugely respected figure in the British surfing community and someone who has played a key role in shaping how surfing talent is developed in the UK. Rather than focusing on competitive accolades, Joel’s impact has come through coaching, mentorship, and performance pathways. As Performance Pathways Manager at GB Surfing, the organisation responsible for elite British surfing and Olympic qualification, Joel worked closely with the home nations — including Surfing England and the Scottish Surfing Federation — to design long-term athlete development frameworks that support junior and elite surfers alike. We dive into what it really takes to build sustainable surfing pathways in a country like the UK, from grassroots coaching to elite performance. The conversation also goes beyond surfing. Joel reflects on his time living and working abroad — from riding the slopes in New Zealand to working as a snowboard instructor in Andorra — and how these experiences shaped his coaching style. We explore the crossover between snow sports and surfing, and how movement, mindset, and mentorship translate across environments. This episode is a must-listen for surfers, coaches, parents of junior athletes, and anyone interested in how performance, progression, and passion intersect in open-water and adventure sports. Find and connect with Joel: Instagram: @surf_solutions Website: surfsolutions.tv

    Building British Surfers: Team GB Coaching and Surf Solutions with Joel GRAY

About

Dive into the world beyond the shoreline. This podcast is all about open water sports and the people who live for them — from scuba diving and surfing to kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, and everything in between. Each episode features honest, relaxed conversations with people who’ve built their lives around the water, whether they’re professionals, passionate hobbyists, or simply can’t imagine life without the ocean, rivers, or lakes. We explore what draws people to open water, the highs and lows of the lifestyle, the skills it takes to stay safe, and the stories that only come from time spent out there. Expect real experiences, practical insights, and plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves adventure, freedom, and being on (or under) the water. Whether you’re an experienced water person or just starting to explore open water hobbies, this podcast is your place to learn, connect, and feel a little closer to the water — wherever you are.