Dave Wallace

F@@king Cool Swims

Sports EN ↓ 6 episodes

This podcast dives into extraordinary swims in extraordinary places, celebrating the spirit of adventure, endurance, and connection to water and nature that defines open-water swimming. Each episode features in-depth conversations with swimmers, organisers, and explorers who have taken on remarkable challenges or brought people together in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring waters — from glacial lakes and wild rivers to vast oceans and hidden coastal coves. Through their stories, we uncover not only the physical and mental challenges of swimming in such environments but also the profound s...

Author

Dave Wallace

Episodes

Taking on the World's Waters - Record Breaking Ultra Swims 10.12.2025 57:48

Welcome to a conversation that goes far beyond distance, endurance, or athletic achievement. In this episode, I’m joined by marathon swimmer Andy Donaldson , whose journey from Scotland to Australia has taken him across some of the most remarkable waterways on Earth and into a deeper mission shaped by community, environmental advocacy, and personal renewal. What unfolds is not just a catalogue of...

Sharks, Currents, and Aloha: True Stories from Hawaii’s Open Water Masters 29.11.2025 1:00:29

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the magic of Hawaiian open water with three brilliant guests: Ryan Leong , Stefan Reinke , and Deb Kemp , a trio united by saltwater, courage, and the Aloha spirit. What starts as a simple chat about swims quickly turns into a love letter to the ocean. Ryan and Stefan, both seasoned Hawaiian open water swimmers and caretakers of iconic events like the Waikik...

Ice for Life: Finding Peace in Cold Water with Annika Surry 07.11.2025 36:53

In this episode, Dave talks with Annika Surry , known on Instagram as @ice_for_life_annika_surry , about her extraordinary passion for cold-water swimming and the transformative power it has had on her life. Living near Copenhagen, Annika swims almost every day — often at sunrise — embracing the elements no matter the weather. She shares how swimming in icy water helps her manage the symptoms of m...

The Scilly Swim Challenge 30.10.2025 43:53

In this very special episode of F **ing Cool Swims*, I dive into one of the most iconic open-water adventures in the UK — The Scilly Swim Challenge . I'm joined by Dewi Winkle , co-founder of the event and John Coningham-Rolls , co-founder of SwimQuest , which now organises it. Together, they explore the origins of this extraordinary challenge, the camaraderie that keeps swimmers returning year af...

The Magic of Water, the 33.3 Series and Ultras with Amy Swims 27.10.2025 49:19

In this episode, Dave is joined by Amy Ennion — better known to many as Amy Swims — to explore the world of open water swimming and the powerful personal journey that has shaped her relationship with it. What starts as a chat about Amy’s shift from pool swimming to ultra-marathon challenges quickly turns into a tale of resilience, discovery, and a deep emotional bond with the water. Amy shares her...

The Downhill Swim with Robson Lindberg 15.09.2025 51:27

Step into the wild with the first episode of F **ing Cool Swims, a podcast that explores extraordinary swims in extraordinary places. Host Dave Wallace takes us to Finland’s Oulanka River, where he joins Robson Lindberg, announcer of the legendary Downhill Swim. What begins as a journey through pristine waters becomes a lesson in resilience, wonder, and the Finnish philosophy of LIVING WITH NATURE...