The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

A/Prof Claire Badenhorst: Women’s Physiology, Iron and Performance Wellbeing

 
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

Ryan Evernden: Post-Big Swim Recovery, Strength and the Critical 2-Week Window

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

Felicity Sheedy-Ryan: Abandonment, Adaptation and the Solo Return

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
 

Dr Angela Spence: SIPE, Hypothermia and Safety in Open Water Swimming

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

Dr Liv Stewart: Vision, Sighting and Confidence in Open Water

 
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
 

Nathaniel Wells: Preparing the Mind for Long Open Water Swims

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. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past and present

Gaby Villa: Nutrition, Fuelling and Feeding in the Water

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/

Prof Scott Draper: Ocean Science, Waves and Channel Swims

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

April Mobsby: From team to solo: progression, confidence, and reflection.

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

Tyson Landers: Open Water Swimming, Resilience, and the Long Way Around

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