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Today, we’re chatting with a man who has helped thousands of swimmers discover some of the most incredible open water swimming destinations around the world - Simon Murie, the founder of SwimTrek.

Originally from Australia and now based in the UK, Simon’s journey into the world of swimming adventures is anything but conventional. Before founding SwimTrek, he spent years working overseas in the mining industry, while using his spare time to organise open water swimming trips for himself and others. What started as a passion for adventure eventually grew into one of the world’s best-known open water swimming holiday businesses.

Simon is also a solo English Channel swimmer and a swim coach, and he hasn’t left the adventures behind just because he founded a successful business. He still gets out there guiding some of the tours himself.

His own swimming achievements include crossing the River Volta in Ghana in 2009, setting an Australian record for swimming across the Strait of Gibraltar, and swimming to the Isle of Wight in 2010. Having travelled to around 60 countries in search of extraordinary swims, Simon now spends much of his time scouting new destinations and dreaming up the next great SwimTrek adventure.

And perhaps it all started with a simple introduction to swimming from his mum, in a local river - proof that you never quite know where a love of the water might take you.

Welcome to the SwimScape Open Water Swimming Podcast!

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Our guest is Marcus Bristol, the new owner of the Beach Series, which takes place at Takapuna Beach over the summer. For those who know the Beach Series, you’ll know it’s about much more than just swimming. It’s about getting people outdoors, bringing communities together, and encouraging people of all ages and abilities to get involved.

Marcus has a background in events and community services, so he’s no stranger to bringing people together and making things happen. We’ll chat about his journey into event management, what attracted him to taking over the Beach Series, and what he hopes to bring to the event in the years ahead.

We’ll also get into his own swimming journey, including the experiences he’s shared in the water with his daughter — because sometimes the best part of swimming isn’t the distance you cover, but the people you share it with.

And, of course, we can’t have Marcus on the show without talking about his rather impressive love affair with Hawaiian shirts. We’re not entirely sure whether the shirts are a fashion statement, a lifestyle choice, or a permanent state of summer, but we’ll get to the bottom of that!

So, whether you’re a regular at the Beach Series, a keen open-water swimmer, or someone who simply enjoys getting out there and being part of a community, this should be a great conversation.

Let’s get into it. Welcome to the podcast, Marcus Bristol!

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This week on SwimScape - The Podcast, we sit down with Auckland open water swimmer Troy Rangi, who shares his inspiring journey as a swimmer with special needs and how he discovered a passion for the open water.

From his first experiences in the water to becoming a regular competitor on New Zealand's open water swimming scene, Troy talks openly about what draws him back to the ocean, the challenges he has overcome, and the personal rewards that swimming brings. Troy has been a familiar face in Auckland open water events for several years and continues to be an active participant in the local swimming community.

In this candid conversation, we discuss:

• How Troy first got involved in swimming and eventually discovered open water swimming
• What he loves most about being in the ocean
• The aspects of swimming he finds most challenging
• His training routine and preparation for events
• The importance of friendship, community, and his swim mates
• The confidence, independence, and enjoyment that swimming has brought to his life

Join us for a heartfelt and motivating discussion that highlights the power of sport, inclusion, determination, and the strong bonds formed within the swimming community.

Whether you're an experienced open water swimmer, a pool swimmer looking for inspiration, or simply love hearing remarkable stories from everyday athletes, this is an episode you won't want to miss