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Artwork for Swim Chats

Swim Chats

Shona Riddell
Swimming
Ocean Swimming
Wellington
Sharks
New Zealand
Marine Biology
Outdoor Swimming
English Channel
Marine Conservation
Conservation
Marathon Swimming
Cook Strait
Cold Water Swimming
Swimming Safety
Shark Attacks
Shark Species
Captain Matthew Webb
The Big Swim
Jellyfish
Community

Every swimmer has a story to tell. Writer and swimmer Shona Riddell chats to adventure swimmers, winter dippers, marathon swim coaches, marine conservationists and more to find out how they got started and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you’re a swimmer yourself, or just interested in stories about the sea and people expanding their comfort zones, you'll enjoy these swim chats.... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes42Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsSwimming

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Artwork for Swim Chats

Latest Episodes

This episode was originally released on 11/04/25.

Our first 'swim history' episode! Featuring special guest John Hancock, a marathon swimmer and the organiser of this year's ANZAC Day swim in Wellington. In this episode John tells the story of the b... more

Wen Erh Hsu completed the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming (English Channel, Catalina Channel and 20 Bridges in Manhattan) within one season in 2024. She is the first Taiwanese person to swim solo across the English Channel and her Facebook page ‘... more

YouTube

Seti Afoa is the Director of Samoa Events, a swim business that offers tours, events, and retreats in Moananui (the Pacific Ocean).

Seti was born in Samoa, in a coastal village on the island of Upolu. As was common for Samoan kids of his generation... more

YouTube

This episode was published on March 26 to coincide with Epilepsy Awareness Day (#PurpleDay).

Kate Wareham is a Wellington pool and open water swimmer, the CEO of Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA), and last year she was diagnosed with epilepsy, a neurol... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Abi Lafbery
PhD in Outdoor Swimming; researcher focused on water quality, environmentalisms, and health of outdoor swimming
Lancaster University (PhD on Outdoor Swimming)
Episode: Dr Abi Lafbery on wild swimming, waterways, and how we swim in a changing world
Dougal Dunlop
Wellington open-water swimmer and coach; founder of the Washing Machines
Wellington swimming community
Episode: Coach Dougal Dunlop on founding the Washing Machines, teaching swim skills, and enjoying all-weather swims at Oriental Bay
Bryn Williams
Open-water swimmer and community member
Barbs swimming group (community)
Episode: Bryn Williams on building confidence, feeling the rhythm, and enjoying our ocean playground
Danielle Falconer
A swimmer preparing for a 40km swim aimed at raising awareness for dementia.
Episode: Danielle Falconer’s 40km swim for dementia: why every stroke matters
James Fox-Golding
Organizer of the annual Christmas Day Dip in Felixstowe
St. Elizabeth Hospice
Episode: The Felixstowe Christmas Day Dip with James Fox-Golding
Clinton Duffy
Shark scientist and marine biologist
Episode: Shark scientist Clinton Duffy on shark behaviour, what swimmers should know, and what it's like tagging great whites
Lynne Cox
Pioneering long-distance swimmer and author
Episode: Lynne Cox on the 50th anniversary of her Cook Strait swim, swimming to Antarctica, and building global connections
Simon Griffiths
Founder and publisher of Outdoor Swimmer magazine
Outdoor Swimmer
Episode: 'Outdoor Swimmer' magazine with founder Simon Griffiths and editor Ella Foote
Ella Foote
Editor of Outdoor Swimmer magazine
Outdoor Swimmer
Episode: 'Outdoor Swimmer' magazine with founder Simon Griffiths and editor Ella Foote

Host

Shona Riddell
Writer and swimmer, engages with guests on their swimming journeys and diverse experiences, while exploring themes of environmental conservation and community support.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 27 ratings
  • Great podcast

    This is a great new initiative- awesome interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    picton34
    New Zealand6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging and inspiring interviews featuring diverse guests from the swimming community.
The podcast is seen as a great initiative that highlights significant personal journeys connected to swimming.
Many listeners enjoy the focus on mental health, environmental issues, and building community through swimming.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Coach Dougal Dunlop on founding the Washing Machines, teaching swim skills, and enjoying all-weather swims at Oriental Bay
Q: When did you start the Washing Machines?
Dougal explains that the group formed from early coaching work at Freyberg and Johnsonville, grew as more people joined, and eventually became a formalized open-water club after council tender considerations.
Breanna Ward on marathon and ice swimming, marine conservation, and the awesomeness of sharks
Q: Do you have advice for swimming in choppy water?
Breanna recommends breathing bilaterally and remaining mentally calm, likening it to staying smooth under the unpredictable surface.
Breanna Ward on marathon and ice swimming, marine conservation, and the awesomeness of sharks
Q: What advice do you have for people who want to get in the sea but feel nervous about the temperature or marine life?
Breanna suggests swimming with others and respecting the ocean while gradually building confidence through experience.
Breanna Ward on marathon and ice swimming, marine conservation, and the awesomeness of sharks
Q: How do you swim so fast?
Breanna attributes her speed to lots of practice and training, humorously mentioning protein powder.
Artist Ann Skelly on painting the sea, mermaid tails, and the many moods of the ocean
Q: How do you know when a painting is finished?
The painting tells you it's finished, and there's a moment when you just know it's time to put the brush down.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Swim Chats

What is Swim Chats about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the diverse world of swimming, this podcast features in-depth conversations with various individuals connected to the sport, ranging from adventure swimmers and marathon swim coaches to marine conservationists and winter dippers. Each episode focuses on personal stories and the lessons learned through swimming, all while celebrating the vibrant community and environmental aspects of the sport. Notably, the host emphasizes the connection between swimming and personal growth, making the content appealing not just to athletes but also to those interested in narratives about overcoming challenges and expanding comfort zones.

Where can I find podcast stats for Swim Chats?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Swim Chats. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Swim Chats and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Swim Chats get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Swim Chats, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Swim Chats?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Swim Chats, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Swim Chats have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Swim Chats has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Swim Chats?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Swim Chats:

1. Stories from the Water
2. SwimOut
3. Between Two Beers Podcast
4. Fresh Air
5. Good Hang with Amy Poehler

How many episodes of Swim Chats are there?

Swim Chats launched a year ago and published 42 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Swim Chats?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Swim Chats?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Swim Chats from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Swim Chats?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Swim Chats. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Swim Chats?

Recent guests on Swim Chats include:

1. Abi Lafbery
2. Dougal Dunlop
3. Bryn Williams
4. Danielle Falconer
5. James Fox-Golding
6. Clinton Duffy
7. Lynne Cox
8. Simon Griffiths

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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