Meet our Guides
Meet the fantastic team of guides who bring your SwimTrek experience to life.
Thomas Oliver
Swim history before SwimTrek
Growing up by the sea I have had an obsession with the water for as long as I can remember. I swam competivtly as a child, since transitioning to a love for open water swimming through my active involvement with Brighton's Surf Lifesaving Club. This lead me to working as a beach lifeguard on Brighton Beach for 5 seasons, where I ran lifeguard training sessions and use these skills to train up the next generation of guards at the local Surf Lifesaving Clubs. I aim to share this knowledge and passion for swimming with other like minded individuals and with a keen eye for photography a dream of mine is to travel the world capturing the beauty below the surface.
Most memorable swim moment
My most memorable swim moment was in Cebu in the Philippines. I got up early to go for a morning sunrise swim before a hectic day of travel and just 100m offshore I was greeted by a pod of whale sharks. My heart was in my chest as the huge dorsal fin sliced through the water towards me, only to be greeted by the gentle giant cursing through the water by my side!
Top swimming tip
My top swim tip is to slow down. When you stop worrying about being the quickest in your lane or the fear of the person behind you tapping your toes your swim becomes much more enjoyable and reminds me of why I got into swimming... the weightless feeling of being in the water, when you stop fighting it you learn to love it.
Paul Fallows
Swim history before SwimTrek
I have been swimming from a very young age, I remember too well the early morning swim sessions before school and then the hours training after school. I enjoyed swimming competitively and spent most weekends at some kind of swim meet. In my later life I have discovered open water swimming and all that it offers. I have been so lucky with the places I have swum, the warm waters of Australia, the marine life packed waters of the Maldives, swimming in Oman with Dolpins and stingray! And closer to home swimming the length of Windermere when the lake was like a millpond with the sun on my back.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming the length of lake Windermere. On the morning of the swim there was a mist on the lake and we couldn't see very far ahead, as I swam up the Eastern side of the lake I could see the sun creeping over the hilltop and burn off the mist. Once the mist cleared we had the most incredible conditions on Windermere, the water was like glass, so smooth and beautiful.
Top swimming tip
Relax! Stiff bodies don't swim well especially if you are swimming long distance in open water. Relax the neck and shoulders, relax the legs, gentle kicks from the hip and enjoy!
Interesting fact
I'm swimming the Channel this year.
Andrea Harvey
Swim history before SwimTrek
I was lucky enough to grow up in Cornwall on the beach. I learned to swim and joined my local surf life saving club as soon as physically possible. When I went to university in Dublin I joined the UCD Swim team to focus on pool swimming and fitness. Since then I’ve entered Biathlons and SwimRun and enjoyed my own pool training alongside sea swimming at every opportunity.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming into a sun fish, a very strange experience.
Top swimming tip
Optimizing the glide as much as possible when doing under-water swim testing.
Interesting fact
Decaffeinated coffee isn’t ‘no-caff’, it’s just ‘less caff’.
Ali Phillips
Swim history before SwimTrek
I was so lucky to grow up in Norfolk, by the sea and holiday in The Lake District. Being in or on water has always been part of my life and any excuse to get out and find new places to explore is a passion. I've worked jobs in hospitality, retail and as an outdoor instructor - all of which helped me realise that if I'm not around water then I'm not a happy person. The best place for me to be is in the water. I now live in The Lake District, swim most days and enjoy a distance goal as much as discovering hidden waterfalls for a quick dip. Even on the days when the wind it’s blowing and it's wet from every direction, there's always time to challenge yourself and enjoy the outdoors!
Most memorable swim moment
Taking my family to my favourite 'magical glen' spot in The Lake District. The weather was perfect and this beautiful emerald green pool was perfect to swim up and down and clear to the bottom. Swimming together in the dappled sunlight watching the fish, lizards and birds. Then we were relaxing afterwards and saw Kate Winslet (dry, warm and not holding a door to save her life!)
Top swimming tip
Find a friend to swim or paddle alongside you. Not only is it more fun, you're safer in the water and have someone to carry your snacks!
Interesting fact
I have a degree in Dance and Choreography. Although the moves I bust out now are more along the lines of the moonwalk, running man and the worst attempt at The Worm you'll ever see!
Andrew Tester
Swim history before SwimTrek
I've always been attracted to the water since I was a baby. Living in the seaside town of Worthing located with the English Channel to the South and South downs national park to the north, the open water was always calling. It's difficult to keep me out of any body of water. From a very early age I swam for Worthing Swimming club progressing to play water polo in my teenage years. I had about ten years off of swimming and in my late 20's took up running. To compliment my running I would swim to stretch out and loosen up. I then put the discipline of running, swimming together and included a bike, dipping my toe into Triathlon. This is where my love for open water swimming and my OWS journey began. I have competed in many open water swims at regional and national age group level, winning the river Adur, & Arun races, Tribals end of season lake 10k, Dock to Dock 10k , Swim the lake, Paddle Round the Pier 1.5km and finishing 3rd in 2021 Brighton Triple crown. I have also swum the Thames marathon 15km, Dart 10k 3 times and swum back from the Rampion windfarm 15km off the Sussex coast as well as competing in Aquathlon at national level. I am a qualified swim teacher, Swim England coach, level 2 Open water swim coach and SwimTrek coach at Sea Lanes endless pool in Brighton. In any spare time I love skateboarding, paddle boarding, windsurfing, running and mountain biking
Most memorable swim moment
Lifeguarding Aquatics at London 2012 Olympics
Top swimming tip
Swim drills slow and focus on excellent technique to imbed the movement into muscle memory. To often our faces are in the water as we swim in pools and different locations. Take time to talk to your fellow swimmers and take time to look around at your surroundings.
Interesting fact
I have competed and was in the semi final at Red bull Neptune steps, one of two only uphill swim races in the world
Kelsey Van Dyke
Swim history before SwimTrek
I was a competitive synchronized swimmer for 10+ years. I also coached the sport for 8 years. While studying abroad in Belgium for a semester I started playing water polo and still play to this day (recreationally now). In 2017, a friend introduced me to open water swimming. I’ve competed in a few open water swim races and was a part of two relay teams that swam across two lakes in my home province of Saskatchewan, while raising money for a local charitable organization. I recently traded fresh water for salt water and finally began a lifelong dream of learning to surf.
Most memorable swim moment
During the relay swim of Diefenbaker Lake, I had a shift in the middle of the night. Everything was dark except for a few lights on the boat, the water was still and it was completely silent. As I was swimming, the northern lights came out and danced in the sky, keeping me company for most of the hour. It was an unforgettable experience.
Top swimming tip
Ear plugs were a game changer for me when I started swimming in open water. And a hot beverage ready post-swim!
Interesting fact
I love languages. I speak French fluently and am currently learning Spanish (I've got a 241 day streak going on Duolingo).
Eabha Cox
Swim history before SwimTrek
From a young age all I wanted to do was be in or on water. From wakeboarding to windsurfing, cliff jumping, SUPing, kayaking and scuba diving, I've given it all a go. For me it always comes back to the swim. I started swimming competitively at the age of 11 with my local swim team and fell in love with the intense training and competitions. I made Regional and National squads and won many middle distance events. At 15 I took to the sea competitively as a surf lifesaver, winning region and national titles. From there the coastal races caught my eye and I’ve participated in open water races and triathlons ever since! Fortunately, my passion opened up many opportunities, enabling me to spend my summers as a lifeguard and water sport instructor, work as a swim teacher through university, and be Waterfront director at a holiday resort in Croatia (serious views!!)
Most memorable swim moment
Catching the most perfect wave in a national surf swim that brought me the whole way to the shore and got me on the podium.
Top swimming tip
Just go for it - Swim when you can and wherever you can. Even if it’s freezing it’ll be lovely once you get down! You never regret a dip.
Interesting fact
When I was 13 me and my family road tripped Southern Africa in a car we called “Noah’s arc”.
Carlos Lopez
Swim history before SwimTrek
I've been swimming since I started elementary school, and since High School I've tried to keep my swimming regular. With a profession as a Field Service Engineer, It's been difficult to keep up with my training due to extensive travel, but it has allowed me to swim in lots of beautiful seas. Since 2005 most of my holidays have been divided between diving and swimming mostly in tropical waters, while in Barcelona, I swim open waters from april to november. Rest of the year pool does the trick.
Most memorable swim moment
Swimming in random Raja Ampat islands after diving. Swimming at the edge of busy walls with lots of fish and coral.
Top swimming tip
If you can't keep with your ocean swims, play with your technique in the pool.
Interesting fact
Don't enjoy cold weather unless I'm skiing.
Tung Hoang
Swim history before SwimTrek
I'm basically a swimming lover. From the remaining childhood memories, I have loved the sea since I was a kid; everytime my parents brought me to the beach, I ran right away to the water everytime they dropped me to the sand. The first time I learned to swim was in 7th grade summer, then became an amateur swimmer until adulthood. Swimming has been a part of my career since I started out in the water sports industry (paddle sport, swimming and life saving). I have taken IFSTA certified courses through Viet Nam Swimming & Life saving Company since 2017, and was fortunate to be taught by an experienced teacher who has served as technical director of STA / IFSTA and VSLC. Until 2023, I have completed certifications from open water safety, to swimming and life-saving teacher. Since 2018, and have participated in activities such as organizing swimming summer camps for students or training camp for ironman. I will soon complete swimming teacher trainer qualification this year. Currently, I regularly swim 3-5 times a week, with 2-3km technical swimming on weekdays myself, and long distance swimming (about 2-7km) every weekend with other swimmers.
Most memorable swim moment
It was on a summer afternoon when I was a freshman in university. On that special day, I did my first long distance swim with 3 other friends, we rented 2 large floats for 2 weak swimmers. Another friend and I swam, pushing and holding on floats when we needed a break, and we swam together for 4.5 hours and only returned to the beach when the city lights were on. Although this was not a "professional" experience, the emotions of that day ignited in me an invisible excitement about long-distance swimming, and feeling the vastness of the sea. Perhaps it was the emotions of that day that led me to stick with water sports and swimming, to be able to feel the freedom, the connection with nature and the joy with the young soul every day.
Top swimming tip
Safety 1st, keep the "safety bell" in mind all the time. Check the weather before swimming Do risk assessment & Be well-prepared. Understand limits (of myself & team) Should go with others, especially in long-distance swimming. Follow the "leave no trace" principles to protect the swimming areas.
Interesting fact
My wife can't swim well (she's a 1 breath swimmer) . :(
Fabian Bull
Swim history before SwimTrek
I swam for Cardiff as a child but gave up competitive swimming in may later teens and early twenties. After University I started swimming again, focusing on open water distance events. During this time I swam the Solent in 4 consecutive years. In 2011 I joined a Masters club and began the long road back to competitive swimming, focusing on short distance sprints. I have competed in two Fina World Masters Championships and hold a Bronze medal for Long Course National Championships at Masters level in the 100m Butterfly. I currently swim for Brighton Dolphin and Brighton Swimming Club and hold swimming and surf lifesaving coaching qualifications. Basically, If water is involved, I'm not far away from it.
Most memorable swim moment
Having a chunk bitten out of my fin by a very aggressive and determined trigger fish in the Great Barrier Reef.
Top swimming tip
Everyone floats, so just relax. If you can float in a streamline position, you are only a few small steps away from becoming an efficient swimmer.
Interesting fact
I own a banana plantation on the Island of St Vincent
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