Coastal Swim Cast

We dive into the world of pool training and what it really takes to knock time off a 400m swim. We talk through the physical training required, from structure and consistency to pacing and patience — and explore the mental stamina needed to keep showing up when sessions get tough. This episode is about more than speed, it’s about commitment, belief, and staying connected to why you swim in the fir...

In this episode, we’re welcoming the New Year with a positive mindset. We chat about how to approach winter swimming and the importance of fuelling your body properly, sharing simple, practical tips to support warmth, energy, and recovery in cold conditions. And of course, we finish with our drill of the moment — a focused technique exercise to help you swim more efficiently and feel stronger in t...

In this special end-of-year episode, we’re taking a moment to look back on everything 2025 has brought. From awards and Channel swimming to unforgettable coastline swims — and even buying our very own Coastal Swim Coaching work van — it’s been a year full of growth, challenge, and joy. Join us as we reminisce, reflect, and celebrate a truly fabulous year of Coastal Swim Coaching, the community tha...

This week we’re catching up on how the Seas the Season challenge is going — the swims, the smiles, the surprises, and all the festive fun so far. We’re back with Drill of the Moment, and we’re talking all about the Catch-Up Drill — when it’s useful, how to do it well, and how it can help with timing and body position Perfect listening for pool swimmers, open-water lovers, and anyone wanting to swi...

In this episode, we take a moment to catch up on life, coaching, swimming, and everything in between. It’s been a whirlwind, so we’re diving into how we’re both doing and what’s been happening behind the scenes. We’re also launching a brand-new segment we’re really excited about: Drill of the moment. Each episode we’ll break down a specific swimming drill, explain why it matters, how to do it well...

In this episode, we dive into our brand-new Seas the Season Challenge — our 24-day celebration of movement, mindfulness and cold-water connection throughout December. We break down what the challenge is all about, who it’s for, and why we created it as a fun, flexible way for every BODY to get involved. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer, someone dipping a toe in the water for the first time, or si...

This week, we dive deep into our English Channel Relay attempt — the highs, the heartbreak, and everything in between. 🌊 From battling the swell and jellyfish to the realities of sea sickness and the emotional toll of a dream cut short, we unpack it all with honesty and heart. We talk facts, feelings, and the journey of coming to terms with the outcome — alongside celebrating the epic swims, stre...

In this episode we sit down with Alison, a fellow Channel swimmer who bravely took on the big blue but had her attempt heartbreakingly cut short after just 4 hours – not from lack of grit, but from a full team wipeout thanks to severe sea sickness ! 🤢🌊 We chat all things Channel swimming: the rollercoaster build-up in the hours before setting off, the boat (yep, we’re heading out on the mighty A...

Ahhhhhhh… it’s nearly Channel time! 🏊‍♀️ Next week we’ll be swimming to France (hopefully not via Belgium if the tide gets us). The nerves are bubbling, the emotions are all over the place, and yes… snacks are being carefully planned. We chat about what’s going through our heads in the final countdown, from “we’ve totally got this” to “whose idea was this again?” Plus, we celebrate the absolute l...

This week we’re diving into the rollercoaster of staying motivated (spoiler: it’s not always easy!) and sharing how our own training is going. We chat about spotting progress — in ourselves and our swimmers — even when it feels like nothing’s moving forward. Then we switch gears to talk all things fundraising for our Channel Swim charity: the fun ideas, the exciting extras, and how you can jump in...

This week, we’re diving into everything that’s been happening in and out of the water — from sessions and swims to exciting plans on the horizon. But most importantly, we’re sharing an update on our Channel Swim fundraising progress! 💙 We’ve got some fun (and slightly bonkers) ideas up our sleeves to help hit our target — and we’re giving a big shout-out to the amazing people who’ve surprised us...

In this jam-packed episode, we dive into one of the biggest weekends of our training so far. From a full day of Channel relay training with four sea swims—replicating the real deal—to joining a brilliant group for the Bantham Swoosh the very next day, we didn’t stop there. We followed it up with an unforgettable boat trip to Lundy Island, where we swam with seals and shared one of the best lunches...

This week, we welcome a very special guest – our great friend and teammate Gemma, one-quarter of our English Channel relay team, "Four the Sea." In this warm and open conversation, we dive into how Gemma came on board with the challenge, what it means to her, and who she’s swimming for. We reflect on the Swim Trek adventure (or "bootcamp," as Gemma likes to call it!), and how it's shaped our train...

In this feel-good episode, we celebrate the stunning Larkstone to Hele Bay coastal swim – a local gem that never fails to deliver salty smiles and scenic rewards. We also shine a spotlight on an epic swim challenge by our incredible friend who's taking on ten of Switzerland’s largest lakes for charity – an inspiring feat of endurance and heart. We dive deep into the topic of mental strength : what...

In this episode, we dive into our unforgettable Swim Trek holiday in Greece — from breathtaking island-to-island crossings to swimming in crystal clear waters that felt like paradise. We chat about the amazing people we shared it with, the incredible food (yes, we’re still dreaming about it), and reflect on how these trips work and the pressures we sometimes put on ourselves as swimmers. Plus — as...

We're buzzing with excitement in this episode as we chat about our upcoming swim trek adventure to Greece — 5km a day in crystal-clear waters! It's the perfect launchpad for our channel relay team training, and we can't wait to share the journey. We also introduce our latest team member… the Coastal Swim Coaching van! She’s got charm, style, and a lot of salty miles ahead — but she needs a name, a...

In this episode, we dive into our recent work with local schools and One Ilfracombe on the inspiring Into the Blue initiative. Aimed at helping school children connect with their coastal environment, the program brings Year 5 and 6 students out of the classroom and into the sea for six weeks of exciting water-based activities—including sea swimming with Coastal Swim Coaching, coasteering, SUP boar...

What began as a spark of an idea—just a ripple on the surface—has grown into a powerful community of open water swimmers connected by courage, joy, and a shared love of the sea. Looking back through the photos and memories, it’s incredible to see just how far we’ve come. In this special anniversary episode, we reflect on the journey: the early morning meetups, the cold dips, the breakthroughs, and...

In our next episode, we sit down with two of our dedicated swimmers who have experienced the often-overlooked but crucial phenomenon of afterdrop — the chilling effect that can occur after swimming in cold water. Our guests share firsthand accounts of how afterdrop affected them physically and mentally, and the lasting repercussions it had on their bodies and minds. We'll dive into their personal...

🎙️ Bonus Episode: Making Waves on the BBC! 🌊🎉 We’ve gone national! 🗞️🏊‍♀️ After chatting with BBC Radio Devon about our upcoming Channel Relay Swim Challenge , we were featured on BBC National News Online! 🚀 In this special bonus episode, we take you behind the scenes of our interview, sharing what it was like to tell our story on air and why we’re taking on this epic swim for The Body Happy O...

Welcome to our Swim Community Series , where we dive into the stories of inspiring swimmers and their unique journeys. Today, we meet Eileen—a fiery, determined woman whose love for the water led to more than just swimming skills. Through every stroke, she discovered resilience, joy, and a deeper understanding of herself. Join us as we explore her incredible journey, the challenges she’s faced, an...

Your body needs to warm up to feel good when swimming. So often we don't allow our bodies time to warm up and acclimatise to what we are doing. This may be due to our expectations being too high too soon, or wanting to achieve more than our body is ready for! So with that, it means that when we are not prepared sometimes we can experience what we call, The 500 Freakout! Please follow the links to...

We are back, apologies for being away, we will be back weekly from now on! Join us for a catch up, find out what has been going on and whats we are planning! Please follow the links to find out more about this incredible charity and to our donor box sponsorship page! The Body Happy Org - https://www.bodyhappyorg.com/about Donor Box - https://donorbox.org/body-happy-org-donation-form/fundraiser/all...

In this deeply personal episode, we talk about the driving force behind our upcoming English Channel Relay Swim and why we’ve chosen to support The Body Happy. Org . This incredible charity works to promote body positivity and neutrality, particularly for children, in a world that can be challenging when it comes to self-image and self-acceptance. As swim coaches, we see first-hand how body image...

In this episode, we dive into the hilarity and humbling moments of trying weight training for the first time (spoiler: one of us may have overestimated how much a barbell actually weighs!). With the New Year here, we chat about setting goals that are both exciting and achievable—whether it’s about swimming, fitness, or life in general. We explore why keeping your goals realistic makes them more li...