Loading...

PODCAST

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming explores what it really takes to swim well and safely, in open water. Hosted by endurance swimming coach and sport scientist Grant Landers, the podcast brings together swimmer stories, coaching insights, and evidence-based science to unpack performance, preparation, and decision-making in unpredictable environments. Each episode features conversations with open water swimmers, triathletes, coaches, and researchers, covering topics such as training

sports swimming

All Episodes

37:29

Mel Tantrum: Open Water Coaching, Athlete Development...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/05/18

In this episode, I’m joined by Mel Tantrum, one of Australia’s most experienced swimming coaches, with a career spanning open water, high performance and now para swimming at the national level.Mel reflects on her journey from swimmer to coach, the experiences that shaped her coaching philosophy and the lessons she wishes she had known earlier in her own swimming career. We explore the unique demands of open water racing, including decision-making, race skills, pack positioning and preparing

en

45:52

Dave Budge: Water Safety, Risk Management and the...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/05/11

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

en

42:09

Dina Levačić: From Channel Swims to Researching...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/05/04

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

en

34:34

Kate Bevilaqua: Long‑Course Triathlon Swimming,...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/04/27

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

en

39:17

Vicki Delves: Coaching Beginners, Confidence and...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/04/20

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

en

47:00

Does Lighter = Faster? Body Composition and...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/04/13

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,

en

28:57

Mariko Collins: Waves, Curiosity and Adapting in Open...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/04/06

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

en

34:31

Glenn Taylor: Lake Argyle, Risk Management and...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/03/30

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

en

47:22

Dr Kate Baldwin: Injury Prevention, Strength Training...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/03/23

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

en

38:01

Adam Knight: Preparation, Persistence and the...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/03/16

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

en

51:52

A/Prof Claire Badenhorst: Women’s Physiology, Iron...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/03/09

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

en

36:07

Ryan Evernden: Post-Big Swim Recovery, Strength and...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/03/02

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

en

41:56

Felicity Sheedy-Ryan: Abandonment, Adaptation and the...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/02/23

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

en

46:08

Dr Angela Spence: SIPE, Hypothermia and Safety in...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/02/18

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

en

40:13

Dr Liv Stewart: Vision, Sighting and Confidence in...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/02/16

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:

en

45:05

Nathaniel Wells: Preparing the Mind for Long Open...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/02/09

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

en

33:36

Gaby Villa: Nutrition, Fuelling and Feeding in the Water

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/02/02

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/

en

38:03

Prof Scott Draper: Ocean Science, Waves and Channel...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/01/26

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/

en

38:25

April Mobsby: From team to solo: progression,...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/01/19

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.

en

30:45

Tyson Landers: Open Water Swimming, Resilience, and...

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming ·

2026/01/12

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.

en

42 results

Similar Podcasts

The GIST of It

The GIST of It

Dynasty Fantasy Football - Under The Helmet

Chad Parsons, Bleav

Overtime with Matt Moscona

Guaranty Broadcasting Company

Tha Boxing Voice

ThaBoxingvoice Radio

Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon

Yahoo Sports