The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

In this episode, Grant speaks with Dave Budge, one of Western Australia’s most influential figures in triathlon and mass participation sport, about how water safety, risk management and event delivery have evolved over the past three decades. As a Life Member of Triathlon WA and Race Director for more than 200 triathlons,  along with major open water swims including the Busselton Jetty Swim and the Rottnest Channel Swim, Dave brings a unique, experience‑based perspective on what it takes to safely deliver events at scale. The conversation explores how water safety has changed over time, the increasing role of technology and data in risk assessment. we talk about how decisions around starts, formats and cancellations are made when balancing athlete safety with participant experience. Dave also reflects on lessons learned from near‑misses, evolving expectations and the pressure of decision‑making under real‑world constraints. Beyond logistics and safety, the episode touches on inclusion, women’s participation and the broader impact of mass participation events -not just on athletes, but on communities and the sport itself. This is a reflective, behind‑the‑scenes look at the complexity of delivering safe, fair, and memorable open water and triathlon events — and what three decades of experience can teach us about the evolution of mass participation sport.   You can find out more about the events Dave runs at https://www.theeventteam.com.au/   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.  

In this episode, Grant speaks with Dina Levačić, an elite marathon swimmer, Ocean’s Seven finisher and emerging researcher, about what years of extreme open water swimming can teach us about health, risk and adaptation.   Dina reflects on the lived experience of channel swimming: how pain, fatigue, cold and uncertainty become normalised over time; the role of support crews and community knowledge in managing risk; and why recovery is as much cognitive and emotional as it is physical.   Drawing on her transition into research, Dina also shares why she believes the voices of experienced swimmers are crucial for improving education, safety and long‑term wellbeing in open water swimming.   This is a thoughtful conversation about learning through experience, being attentive to limits, and using insight, not bravado, to stay in the sport for the long term.   Learn more about Dina: 🌐 Website: https://dinalevacic.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinalevacic_swim/   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

In this episode of The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming, I’m joined by recently retired professional triathlete and coach Kate Bevilaqua to explore the role of swimming in non‑drafting long‑course triathlon. With the Busselton 100 marking the close of the WA triathlon season, this conversation looks at how athletes should think about the swim not as a standalone effort, but as the first decision of a long race day. Kate reflects on her own career across Ironman, 70.3 and Ultraman, including openly discussing swimming as her relative weakness, and how that shaped her approach to pacing, mindset and race‑day decision‑making. We discuss what defines a good swim in long‑course racing, common mistakes athletes make early in the swim, warm‑up and start strategies, navigation, equipment choices, transition habits, and how swim preparation influences performance later on the bike and run. Kate also shares insights from her coaching, including how age‑group athletes often underestimate the true cost of the swim. This is a thoughtful, practical conversation about swimming with intent — not to win the swim, but to set up the rest of the race. Kate coaches through GK Endurance: www.gkendurance.com This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.  

In this episode, Grant is joined by Vicki Delves to explore what it really takes to help people feel confident, capable and supported as they begin their journey into open water swimming. Drawing on her experience coaching beginners and working closely with multisport athletes, Vicki shares how she helps swimmers translate fundamental skills into confidence in real‑world environments. The conversation covers common fears and barriers faced by newcomers, the role of structured progression, and how thoughtful coaching can create safe, welcoming pathways into open water - whether swimmers are there for wellbeing, community, or as part of a broader triathlon journey. This episode will resonate with swimmers who are new to open water, coaches supporting mixed‑ability groups and anyone interested in how skill development, care, and connection underpin long‑term confidence in the water. Links mentioned in this episode: Women’s Academy of Triathlon (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/womensacademyoftriathlon/ Perkins Plunge: https://www.perkinsplunge.org.au/ This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present.  

  This episode was originally recorded for Dr Kate Baldwin’s podcast, The Distance Dr: In Practice, and is republished here with permission. In this conversation, Kate and I unpack one of the most persistent ideas in endurance sport — that lighter is always faster. We explore where this belief comes from, how it has been reinforced through measurement culture and why it is often oversimplified or misapplied in practice. The discussion spans body composition, adipose tissue physiology, muscle mass, bone health, injury risk and the limitations of common measurement tools. We also challenge the notion of “race weight,” reframing the conversation around performance readiness - the capacity to train consistently, recover well, remain healthy and perform when it matters. While this conversation is relevant across endurance sport, there are particularly important implications for open water swimming, where buoyancy, insulation, thermoregulation, robustness and fatigue resistance all interact with the aquatic environment. Many of the assumptions carried over from land‑based sports simply don’t translate directly into the water. This episode will be relevant not only to open water swimmers, but also to triathletes, runners, cyclists, coaches and clinicians who work with endurance athletes and want to take a more contextual, health‑first approach to performance. You can find more of Kate’s work on her podcast, The Distance Dr: In Practice or via Instagram @thedistancedr   And following a helpful nudge to expand beyond Facebook, the podcast can now also be found on Instagram at @scienceandartofows    This interview was recorded across Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar and Wadandi Boodja. I acknowledge the Noongar people, including the Wadandi people of the South West, as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and pay my respects to Elders past and present.        

In this episode, Grant speaks with engineer and open‑water swimmer Mariko Collins about how swimmers move in waves, and what those forces feel like in the body. Drawing on her research and her recent first solo Rottnest Channel crossing, Mariko reflects on adaptation, curiosity, and the psychological challenges that emerge when things start to unravel late in a long swim.   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

In this episode, I speak with Glenn Taylor, race director of the Lake Argyle Swim, about what it takes to create and safely deliver one of Australia’s most unique open water events. They explore freshwater swimming, reduced buoyancy, big‑lake conditions, risk management, and why Lake Argyle can behave more like an inland sea than a typical lake.   For more information on the Lake Argyle Swim visit: www.lakeargyleswim.com   And for more events hosted by Glenn in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, check out this site: www.fitevents.com.au    This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, with our guest joining from Miriwoong Country in the East Kimberley. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of these lands and water and pay my respects to Elders past and present    

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Kate Baldwin - a physiotherapist, sport scientist, former professional triathlete and Rottnest Channel solo swimmer. We explore injury in swimmers and endurance athletes, focusing on why injuries occur and how they can be prevented. Kate shares practical insights on common swimmer injuries, the role of strength training in endurance sport, and how athletes can better manage training load to stay healthy and consistent. We also discuss when swimmers should seek help from a physiotherapist, and the warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored. Along the way, Kate reflects on her own experience in endurance sport, her current work with athletes, and her podcast The DistanceDr In Practice.   Follow Kate on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/thedistancedr/   This interview was recorded across Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar and Wadandi Boodja. I acknowledge the Noongar people, including the Wadandi people of the South West, as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Qantas pilot Adam Knight shares the journey from years of team swims to committing to a solo Rottnest Channel crossing. Balancing irregular rosters, structured training and lessons from the podcast, Adam prepared meticulously for the challenge. When the official event was cancelled, he and his son Patrick organised an out-of-event tandem crossing - turning months of preparation into one of the most memorable swims of their lives.   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

  In this episode, Associate Professor Claire Badenhorst joins the show to explore the science of women’s health and performance in endurance sport. We discuss menstrual health literacy, iron regulation, hepcidin, and how female athletes can better understand their bodies to support training and wellbeing.   Claire shares insights from her research career across Australia and New Zealand, while also reflecting on her own experiences in triathlon and open water swimming, including the Rottnest Channel Swim.   A timely conversation following International Women’s Day, and an important listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone supporting women in sport.   You can find Claire on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/claire-badenhorst This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

After months of preparation for a long‑distance swim, many athletes reach the finish line without a plan for what comes next. In this episode, strength and conditioning coach Ryan Evernden breaks down what smart recovery really looks like, from rehydration and real food to gentle movement, early mobility, and the first steps back into training. A practical and evidence-informed conversation for adult swimmers, coaches and anyone navigating the post-event phase after a major swim.   https://www.formidablestrength.com.au/   https://www.facebook.com/FormidableStrengthandConditioning   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

In 2024, Felicity Sheedy-Ryan lined up for her first solo Rottnest Channel Swim. Fit, prepared, and ready — only for the race to be abandoned mid-crossing in some of the worst conditions in the event’s history. For many swimmers, that would have been the end of the story. In this episode, Flick reflects on what it meant to have a deeply personal goal taken away, how injury and identity had already reshaped her relationship with sport, and why she chose to return in 2025 to finish what she started. We explore the psychology of setbacks, adapting when things fall outside your control, the difference between being fit and being ready, and what resilience really looks like over the long game. With the 2026 event also cancelled, this conversation speaks directly to swimmers navigating disappointment right now — and to anyone learning how to shift, rebuild, and go again.   Follow Flick on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheedyryan?igsh=MW1tYzFndmRjZnhudQ==   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present  

Marathon swimmer and exercise physiologist Dr Angela Spence joins the podcast to unpack what happens to the heart, lungs and body temperature during long open water swims. We discuss swimming induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE), hypothermia, and emerging considerations around female physiology and individual variability in endurance swimming.   Instagram @dr_angie_phd LinkedIn: angela-spence-69a682a3   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

  Join me as I talk with Dr Olivia “Liv” Stewart an experienced channel swimmer and optometrist, about the relationship between vision, confidence, and performance in open water. We unpack practical sighting techniques, smart goggle choices, and how to navigate changing conditions with more calm and control. A must‑listen for anyone who wants their open water swimming to feel smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.   Links mentioned: Lions Outback Vision Kimberley Hub: https://www.outbackvision.com.au/kimberley-hub/ UWA Doctor of Optometry: https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/courses/doctor-of-optometry   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present  

Endurance open water swimming is as much a psychological challenge as it is a physical one, yet mental preparation is often overlooked. In this episode, psychologist and Rottnest solo swimmer Nathaniel Wells explores how swimmers can work with discomfort, uncertainty, motivation, and self-talk during long swims, while also protecting their mental wellbeing before and after big events.   Learn more about Nat’s work: https://northbrisbanepsychologists.com.au/team/nathaniel-wells/   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, with our guest joining from the lands of the Jagera and Turrbal peoples. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of these lands and pay my respects to Elders past and present  

Sports nutritionist and triathlete Gaby Villa joins the podcast to discuss nutrition for long open water swims, with a focus on fuelling strategies and the practical realities of feeding in the water during events like the Rottnest Channel Swim. Gaby shares common mistakes swimmers make, how to plan and practise nutrition, and why effective fuelling needs to be individualised. Learn more about Gaby’s work at: https://www.intenseatfit.com/

In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Scott Draper, an experienced Channel swimmer and ocean scientist, to explore how waves influence swimmers and how route optimisation can improve both performance and safety during Channel swims. link to the route optimisation website: https://www.rcs.optiswim.com/   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

In this episode of The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming, I’m joined by April Mobsby to discuss her progression from a team swim to a duo, and now preparation for a solo Rottnest Channel crossing. We explore confidence, reflection, pacing, and what it means to learn to trust your body as the distances increase.   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

In this episode, Tyson Landers shares his journey into open water swimming, the challenges that shaped him along the way, and what he’s learned about resilience, preparation, and embracing the longer path when conditions and life don’t go to plan.   This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present  

Episode 1 is live. This podcast isn’t about training plans or race results. It’s about the people, decisions, and experiences that shape open water swims and what we can learn from them. In this short episode, I explain why I wanted to start these conversations and what to expect from future episodes. If there’s someone you think I should talk to on the podcast, let me know.   This was recorded on Whadjuk Nyungar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Whadjuk Nyungar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present  

A short introduction to The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming — exploring what it really takes to swim well and safely in open water, where experience, preparation, and science meet.   This was recorded on Whadjuk Nyungar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Whadjuk Nyungar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present