SwimScape - the podcast

Jim & Duncan
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Welcome to SwimScape - THE PODCAST — where New Zealand’s open water comes to life. Join Duncan and Jim as they dive into the stories behind the swims, the swimmers, and the adventures that make our waters special. From everyday ocean lovers to record-setting legends, we chat with the people who inspire us to explore further, swim longer, and enjoy every stroke. Whether you’re training for your next event or just love the sea, this is your place to connect with the world of open water swimming.

  1. 1d ago

    E 62 - Jemimah Mcilroy - The Ice Princess

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the SwimScape Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories behind New Zealand’s most inspiring open water swimmers, adventurers, and endurance athletes. Today’s guest is someone who perfectly embodies what this podcast is all about -grit, curiosity, humility, and an incredible love of the water. Jemimah Mcilroy is a Dunedin-based marathon swimmer and university student who has already achieved more than most swimmers do in a lifetime. She’s completed an extraordinary challenge by swimming around all nine islands of Dunedin, she’s immersed herself in the world of cold-water swimming, and she’s now training for one of New Zealand’s ultimate endurance tests - the Cook Strait crossing. If you’ve seen her Instagram, you’ll know she seems to spend more time in cold water than most people spend in a warm shower. Jem is the oldest of five kids, she’s one of those genuinely kind people who makes everyone around her feel welcome, and underneath that friendly smile is someone who is absolutely tough as nails. She has a remarkable ability to keep showing up, day after day, in conditions that would send most of us straight back to shore. In this episode, we talk about marathon swimming, cold-water mastery, mental resilience, balancing university life with elite-level training, and what it really takes to prepare for Cook Strait. So grab a coffee, jump in the car, or better yet, head out for a swim—and please enjoy this conversation with the incredibly inspiring Jemimah McIlroy.

    E 62 - Jemimah Mcilroy - The Ice Princess

  2. Aug 5

    E61 - Quinn Boyle - Watch this space.

    Send us Fan Mail Today on SwimScape The Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most impressive young endurance swimmers in New Zealand — Quinn Boyle from Tauranga. Despite being early in his swimming journey compared with many marathon swimmers, Quinn has already built a résumé that most open water athletes would envy. He’s completed an Ice Mile, represented New Zealand at the Ice Swimming World Championships, conquered Cook Strait, and even taken on the brutal challenge of a 24-hour pool swim — and that’s just scratching the surface. What makes Quinn’s story so compelling isn’t just the swims themselves, but the perspective he brings as a young athlete navigating a sport that often attracts competitors decades older than him. We’ll talk about what drives him, how he balances university life with elite endurance swimming, and what it’s like pursuing big hairy audacious goals while most of your peers are focused on completely different things. We’ll also dive into the role his family has played in supporting and sharing the journey, because behind many great marathon swims is a great support crew, and Quinn’s is no exception. This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, discipline, and what the future of open water swimming in New Zealand might look like through the eyes of the next generation. Cool chat.

    E61 - Quinn Boyle - Watch this space.

  3. Jul 21

    E60 - Glyn Eason - The Taniwha, Cook Strait and training for the English Channel.

    Send us Fan Mail Today on SwimScape we are heading to Rotorua to meet a swimmer whose journey is a perfect reminder that sometimes the biggest adventures start by reconnecting with something you loved as a kid.  Glyn Eason grew up with swimming in his blood. As a young swimmer, he competed seriously and developed the discipline, resilience, and love for the water that only comes from years spent chasing the black line. But like many swimmers, life moved on… until the ocean called him back. Fast forward to today, and Glyn has rediscovered that competitive fire — taking on some of New Zealand’s toughest open-water challenges. He joined SwimScape for the Taniwha Origin Series, pushing himself through some unique and demanding swims that tested not just his fitness, but his mindset and his ability to embrace the unknown. Prior to that he had achieved one of the ultimate milestones in marathon swimming — completing the mighty Cook Strait crossing — and now he has his sights firmly set on one of the greatest challenges in our sport: the English Channel. Glyn’s story is about more than kilometres swum. It’s about coming back to yourself, proving that age is no barrier, and showing that the dreams we have as kids can still be waiting for us decades later.

    E60 - Glyn Eason - The Taniwha, Cook Strait and training for the English Channel.

  4. Jul 6

    E59 - Scott Rice - Swimmer, Event Director, Beer and Manu Maker.

    Send us Fan Mail Scott Rice is a former New Zealand representative swimmer who represented New Zealand at the 1995 World University Games and the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships, before going on to found the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series, Ocean Swim Fiji, and the Manu World Champs.  But Scott is much more than an event organiser. He's a familiar voice on the microphone as one of New Zealand's leading swimming commentators, a passionate advocate for the sport, a proud dad, and someone who genuinely loves showcasing the very best of Aotearoa and the Pacific. In this episode we talk about his journey from competitive swimmer to entrepreneur, the highs and challenges of building world-class events, why community matters just as much as competition, and what continues to motivate him after more than two decades dedicated to swimming. Whether you've swum one of his events, perfected your own manu off the local wharf, or simply love hearing stories from people who have built something special from their passion, you're going to enjoy this conversation. This is the story of Scott Rice.

    E59 - Scott Rice - Swimmer, Event Director, Beer and Manu Maker.

  5. Jun 28

    E58 - Charlotte Brynn - Conquering failure.

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the SwimScape Podcast — where we dive into the stories of open water swimmers pushing the boundaries of endurance, mindset, and adventure. In this episode, we’re joined by Kiwi-born, Canada-based ultra swimmer Charlotte Brynn — a woman whose journey through cold water and long distances is defined by persistence, humility, and an ever-present smile.   She’s failed, she’s learned, she’s returned stronger — and through it all, she never stops smiling. Charlotte’s resume spans some of the world’s most iconic and brutal swims, including the English Channel, the 20 Bridges circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, and an Ice Mile in freezing conditions. She has also taken on New Zealand’s Lake Taupō 40km challenge, only stopped by unforgiving weather conditions. But beyond the distances and conditions, Charlotte’s story is defined by persistence, perspective, and joy in the process. She speaks openly about setbacks, learning through failure, and why she keeps coming back to the water. An inspiring conversation for swimmers, endurance athletes, and anyone chasing a long-term goal that refuses to come easy.

    E58 - Charlotte Brynn - Conquering failure.

  6. Jun 10

    E57 - Nic Russell - Kenzie's Gift

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is an extraordinary woman whose story is one of resilience, purpose, and finding strength through the ocean swimming and the swim community. Kenzie's Gift was founded by Nic following the loss of her three-year-old daughter, Kenzie. Rather than allowing tragedy to define her, Nic has dedicated herself to supporting families facing childhood trauma and serious illness through the charity’s incredible work. Along the way, Nic has faced her own significant health challenges, including a heart transplant and living with Parkinson’s disease. Through it all, swimming and time in the ocean have become a source of healing, perspective, and sanity. This November, SwimScape will be hosting the 12 x 1 Mile Challenge in support of Kenzie's Gift, raising vital funds and awareness for the families the charity serves. Nic’s journey is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s ability to endure, adapt, and give back, even in the face of life's greatest challenges. We're honoured to have her with us today to share her story.

    E57 - Nic Russell - Kenzie's Gift

  7. 12/29/2025

    E56 - Kylie Frost - Twisted Sisters.

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is someone who perfectly represents what’s possible when you back yourself and just start. Kylie Frost is the driving force behind the Twisted Sisters Club here in Auckland offering coaching for swimming, biking and running. What makes Kylie’s story so relatable — and so inspiring — is that she didn’t come from a lifelong elite sporting background. She started later than most, finding her way into triathlon during Covid, like so many people who reassessed life, health, and personal goals during that time. From those uncertain beginnings, Kylie went on to complete an Ironman — a huge achievement by anyone’s standards. But she didn’t stop there. She turned her experience into purpose, becoming a coach and building a community that supports, encourages, and empowers women to believe they can do hard things too. Women relate to Kylie because she looks like a regular, everyday, middle-aged woman — juggling life, work, family, and commitments — yet she’s out there proving that extraordinary things are still possible. That relatability is exactly why she instils so much trust and confidence in the women she coaches. She’s walked the path herself, understands the doubts, and knows how to guide others through them. At Twisted Sisters, it’s not about being the fastest or the fittest — it’s about showing up, supporting each other, and discovering what you’re capable of. And Kylie Frost sits right at the heart of that movement.

    E56 - Kylie Frost - Twisted Sisters.

  8. 12/14/2025

    E55 - Euan Acket - Inside the 5 Bridges River Swim with Euan Ackert.

    Send us Fan Mail Today on the podcast, we’re joined by one of the key figures in New Zealand’s open water swimming scene — Euan Acket. A former elite pool swimmer and triathlete, Euan is now best known as the race director of the iconic 5 Bridges River Swim in Hamilton. These days he balances life as a husband, a dad to three kids, and a passionate advocate for river swimming and community-driven events. We talk about his journey from the pool to the river, what it takes to run a major swim event, and how life in the water evolves as the years go on.  Nice guy! 5 bridges swim website

    E55 - Euan Acket - Inside the 5 Bridges River Swim with Euan Ackert.
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About

Welcome to SwimScape - THE PODCAST — where New Zealand’s open water comes to life. Join Duncan and Jim as they dive into the stories behind the swims, the swimmers, and the adventures that make our waters special. From everyday ocean lovers to record-setting legends, we chat with the people who inspire us to explore further, swim longer, and enjoy every stroke. Whether you’re training for your next event or just love the sea, this is your place to connect with the world of open water swimming.

Information

  • Creator
    Jim & Duncan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SwimScape - the podcast
  • Show Website
    SwimScape - the podcast

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