SwimScape - the podcast

Send us Fan Mail 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

Send us Fan Mail For this episode of the SwimScape Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Mackay, founder and Head Coach of Auckland-based Boost Coaching. Andrew’s own journey in endurance sport started in the swimming pool. A competitive swimmer at national level as a youngster, he eventually made the transition into triathlon — going on to race professionally between 2006 and 2009 and ultimately lining up in the professional field at the 2009 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. But perhaps the most interesting part of Andrew's story isn't what he achieved as a professional athlete. It's what he has learned since. Today, Andrew coaches a wide range of athletes — from people taking on their first endurance event through to experienced Ironman and triathlon competitors. And as a father of two boys, he understands the reality of trying to train seriously while also being a parent, running a business and managing everything else that life throws at you. His philosophy is refreshingly realistic: there isn't a perfect work-life-training balance. The balance changes. Sometimes training gets priority. Sometimes work does. Sometimes family has to come first. And sometimes you simply have to accept that you're not superhuman. That philosophy seems to sit at the heart of what Andrew does at Boost Coaching - helping athletes build effective training around their actual lives, rather than expecting their lives to revolve entirely around training. And then there's swimming... Andrew has developed "The Seven Secrets to Swimming Success", a resource aimed at helping swimmers and triathletes understand why they may be struggling in the water and, more importantly, what they can do about it. In this episode, we'll unpack those seven secrets, including: 1. There is a LOT going on in a swim stroke Understanding the sequence of movement and breaking technique down into manageable pieces. 2. Cause and effect matters Why fixing one part of your stroke often requires looking at something else happening earlier in the movement. 3. Swimming is dynamic Why drills are useful, but ultimately swimming needs to become a continuous, rhythmic and flowing movement. 4. Tension kills technique Learning the difference between swimming hard and swimming efficiently. 5. Adults can relearn coordination Why many adult swimmers overthink the process — and how patience, repetition and the right drills can make a huge difference. 6. Breathing isn't optional — but panic is Finding a relaxed breathing rhythm and developing confidence in the water. 7. Your feet matter Understanding the role of kicking, body position, rotation and the kinetic chain in creating an efficient freestyle stroke. These principles are part of the swimming philosophy Andrew applies through Boost Coaching, alongside structured training, accountability and a personalised approach to the individual athlete. From national-level swimmer, to professional triathlete, to Ironman World Championship competitor, to coach and father of two. This is about much more than getting faster in the water. It’s about figuring out how to keep moving forward when real life is happening around you.

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the SwimScape Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories behind New Zealand’s most inspiring open water swimmers, adventurers, and endurance athletes. Today’s guest is someone who perfectly embodies what this podcast is all about -grit, curiosity, humility, and an incredible love of the water. Jemimah Mcilroy is a Dunedin-based marathon swimmer and university student who has already achieved more than most swimmers do in a lifetime. She’s completed an extraordinary challenge by swimming around all nine islands of Dunedin, she’s immersed herself in the world of cold-water swimming, and she’s now training for one of New Zealand’s ultimate endurance tests - the Cook Strait crossing. If you’ve seen her Instagram, you’ll know she seems to spend more time in cold water than most people spend in a warm shower. Jem is the oldest of five kids, she’s one of those genuinely kind people who makes everyone around her feel welcome, and underneath that friendly smile is someone who is absolutely tough as nails. She has a remarkable ability to keep showing up, day after day, in conditions that would send most of us straight back to shore. In this episode, we talk about marathon swimming, cold-water mastery, mental resilience, balancing university life with elite-level training, and what it really takes to prepare for Cook Strait. So grab a coffee, jump in the car, or better yet, head out for a swim—and please enjoy this conversation with the incredibly inspiring Jemimah McIlroy.

Send us Fan Mail Today on SwimScape The Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most impressive young endurance swimmers in New Zealand — Quinn Boyle from Tauranga. Despite being early in his swimming journey compared with many marathon swimmers, Quinn has already built a résumé that most open water athletes would envy. He’s completed an Ice Mile, represented New Zealand at the Ice Swimming World Championships, conquered Cook Strait, and even taken on the brutal challenge of a 24-hour pool swim — and that’s just scratching the surface. What makes Quinn’s story so compelling isn’t just the swims themselves, but the perspective he brings as a young athlete navigating a sport that often attracts competitors decades older than him. We’ll talk about what drives him, how he balances university life with elite endurance swimming, and what it’s like pursuing big hairy audacious goals while most of your peers are focused on completely different things. We’ll also dive into the role his family has played in supporting and sharing the journey, because behind many great marathon swims is a great support crew, and Quinn’s is no exception. This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, discipline, and what the future of open water swimming in New Zealand might look like through the eyes of the next generation. Cool chat.

Send us Fan Mail Today on SwimScape we are heading to Rotorua to meet a swimmer whose journey is a perfect reminder that sometimes the biggest adventures start by reconnecting with something you loved as a kid. Glyn Eason grew up with swimming in his blood. As a young swimmer, he competed seriously and developed the discipline, resilience, and love for the water that only comes from years spent chasing the black line. But like many swimmers, life moved on… until the ocean called him back. Fast forward to today, and Glyn has rediscovered that competitive fire — taking on some of New Zealand’s toughest open-water challenges. He joined SwimScape for the Taniwha Origin Series , pushing himself through some unique and demanding swims that tested not just his fitness, but his mindset and his ability to embrace the unknown. Prior to that he had achieved one of the ultimate milestones in marathon swimming — completing the mighty Cook Strait crossing — and now he has his sights firmly set on one of the greatest challenges in our sport: the English Channel . Glyn’s story is about more than kilometres swum. It’s about coming back to yourself, proving that age is no barrier, and showing that the dreams we have as kids can still be waiting for us decades later.

Send us Fan Mail Scott Rice is a former New Zealand representative swimmer who represented New Zealand at the 1995 World University Games and the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships, before going on to found the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series, Ocean Swim Fiji, and the Manu World Champs. But Scott is much more than an event organiser. He's a familiar voice on the microphone as one of New Zealand's leading swimming commentators, a passionate advocate for the sport, a proud dad, and someone who genuinely loves showcasing the very best of Aotearoa and the Pacific. In this episode we talk about his journey from competitive swimmer to entrepreneur, the highs and challenges of building world-class events, why community matters just as much as competition, and what continues to motivate him after more than two decades dedicated to swimming. Whether you've swum one of his events, perfected your own manu off the local wharf, or simply love hearing stories from people who have built something special from their passion, you're going to enjoy this conversation. This is the story of Scott Rice.

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the SwimScape Podcast — where we dive into the stories of open water swimmers pushing the boundaries of endurance, mindset, and adventure. In this episode, we’re joined by Kiwi-born, Canada-based ultra swimmer Charlotte Brynn — a woman whose journey through cold water and long distances is defined by persistence, humility, and an ever-present smile. She’s failed, she’s learned, she’s returned stronger — and through it all, she never stops smiling. Charlotte’s resume spans some of the world’s most iconic and brutal swims, including the English Channel, the 20 Bridges circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, and an Ice Mile in freezing conditions. She has also taken on New Zealand’s Lake Taupō 40km challenge, only stopped by unforgiving weather conditions. But beyond the distances and conditions, Charlotte’s story is defined by persistence, perspective, and joy in the process. She speaks openly about setbacks, learning through failure, and why she keeps coming back to the water. An inspiring conversation for swimmers, endurance athletes, and anyone chasing a long-term goal that refuses to come easy.

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is an extraordinary woman whose story is one of resilience, purpose, and finding strength through the ocean swimming and the swim community. Kenzie's Gift was founded by Nic following the loss of her three-year-old daughter, Kenzie. Rather than allowing tragedy to define her, Nic has dedicated herself to supporting families facing childhood trauma and serious illness through the charity’s incredible work. Along the way, Nic has faced her own significant health challenges, including a heart transplant and living with Parkinson’s disease. Through it all, swimming and time in the ocean have become a source of healing, perspective, and sanity. This November, SwimScape will be hosting the 12 x 1 Mile Challenge in support of Kenzie's Gift, raising vital funds and awareness for the families the charity serves. Nic’s journey is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s ability to endure, adapt, and give back, even in the face of life's greatest challenges. We're honoured to have her with us today to share her story.

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is someone who perfectly represents what’s possible when you back yourself and just start. Kylie Frost is the driving force behind the Twisted Sisters Club here in Auckland offering coaching for swimming, biking and running. What makes Kylie’s story so relatable — and so inspiring — is that she didn’t come from a lifelong elite sporting background. She started later than most, finding her way into triathlon during Covid, like so many people who reassessed life, health, and personal goals during that time. From those uncertain beginnings, Kylie went on to complete an Ironman — a huge achievement by anyone’s standards. But she didn’t stop there. She turned her experience into purpose, becoming a coach and building a community that supports, encourages, and empowers women to believe they can do hard things too. Women relate to Kylie because she looks like a regular, everyday, middle-aged woman — juggling life, work, family, and commitments — yet she’s out there proving that extraordinary things are still possible. That relatability is exactly why she instils so much trust and confidence in the women she coaches. She’s walked the path herself, understands the doubts, and knows how to guide others through them. At Twisted Sisters, it’s not about being the fastest or the fittest — it’s about showing up, supporting each other, and discovering what you’re capable of. And Kylie Frost sits right at the heart of that movement.

Send us Fan Mail Today on the podcast, we’re joined by one of the key figures in New Zealand’s open water swimming scene — Euan Acket. A former elite pool swimmer and triathlete, Euan is now best known as the race director of the iconic 5 Bridges River Swim in Hamilton. These days he balances life as a husband, a dad to three kids, and a passionate advocate for river swimming and community-driven events. We talk about his journey from the pool to the river, what it takes to run a major swim event, and how life in the water evolves as the years go on. Nice guy! 5 bridges swim website

Send us Fan Mail Born in Ireland, Gráinne Moss discovered her love for open water early, completing the English Channel swim in 1987. Now based in New Zealand, she’s a mother of four, a respected CEO, and an endurance swimmer on a mission to swim in as many of the world’s oceans as she can. Gráinne is the only swimmer known to have had a shark encounter while crossing the Cook Strait, a story she tells with trademark humour and humility. Passionate about cold-water swimming and Dover Channel traditions, she continues to push her limits in some of the planet’s most challenging waters. Gráinne now holds three Triple Crowns of Open Water Swimming, including both the Irish and New Zealand Triple Crowns — fitting honours for a swimmer who bridges two nations and a lifetime of adventure. Tough Lady.

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Clever Dicks dives into the story of a man whose journey has taken him from the dance floors of Russia to the deep, cold waters of New Zealand. Ivan Polyntcev is one of those rare people who embodies both grace and grit, always with a smiling face. A former dancer in Russia in his youth, he made the bold move to New Zealand and found a whole new rhythm — in the ocean. Since then, he’s become a dedicated open-water swimmer, taking on some of Aotearoa’s most challenging swims, including the mighty Cook Strait, Lake Taupō, and even a gruelling 24-hour solo pool swim. When he’s not chasing his own goals, Ivan is in the water or on the boat helping other swimmers conquer their marathon dreams — offering the same encouragement and calm determination that have carried him through his own adventures. Recently married and with an ever-growing bucket list of swims ahead, Ivan’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and the power of passion — whether it’s on stage or in the sea. Cool dude.

Send us Fan Mail Today's special guest is Stacey Balich - an open-water and ice swimmer from New Zealand, a passionate educator and volunteer who swims everything from coastal crossings to sub-5°C lake swims. Stacey joins us to talk about the physical side of endurance swimming — the training, the breath, the cold — and the quieter, deeper benefits it brings to the mind including resilience, focus and calm. She also shares an intensely personal story: how swimming helped sustain her through a battle with bowel cancer and how getting in the water became part of her recovery and life. Expect practical tips, tough honesty, and the kind of stories that make you want to jump in the sea.

Send us Fan Mail This week we sit down with Auckland swimmer Dean Madsen — a man who knows what it means to push limits in and out of the water. Dean’s journey started in the world of triathlon and Ironman, where endurance and grit became part of his DNA. These days his focus is on two of New Zealand’s greatest open water challenges: the 40km Lake Taupō crossing and the legendary Cook Strait swim. But Dean’s story goes much deeper than training and KM's. Over the past year he’s faced a string of health battles — first a minor heart issue, then the life-changing diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Instead of stepping back, Dean has stepped up, embracing swimming as both therapy and adventure. His outlook is humble, determined, and refreshingly laid-back. At a young 62 years old, Dean balances the seriousness of his mission with his love of the ocean, the surf, and just being a cool, grounded guy. In this conversation, we talk resilience, mindset, chasing audacious goals, and what it means to keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way. If you would like to support his cause, please donate... https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/swimming-for-parkinsons-my-journey-my-mission

Send us Fan Mail This chat is about a remarkable Kiwi story of grit, brains, and a touch of madness. We welcome back Brian Gray – a Kiwi Master Swimmer with a heart as big as the Waikato River itself. Brian recently swam an astonishing 150 km's down that very river, the one he grew up beside, in honour of his dad. It took him 24 hours straight – no sleep, battling the tide, and pushing through every obstacle nature and his own body could throw at him. From the sheer physical toll to the mental chess of staying focused, and yes, even the not-so-glamorous reality of figuring out how to go number two while still swimming – Brian holds nothing back. This is a story of endurance, memory, and love for family, told through one of the wildest swims you’ll ever hear about. So, grab your goggles and settle in.... Brian on Instagram: @bmeister_gray

Send us Fan Mail Today on the show we’re joined by an incredible duo – Stephen Moore and his wonderful wife Jo. Stephen, at 62, is still one of the fastest men in the water, but his story goes far beyond speed. He grew up learning to swim in the very same pool as Jo back in England – a connection that has lasted a lifetime. From ice swimming at the world championships, to weekend training sessions with the legendary Salty Dogs, Stephen has lived and breathed the sport. We dive into his nerves before a race, the mindset it takes to be mentally prepared, and the unique partnership he shares with Jo – a relationship built on understanding, support, and teamwork in and out of the water. Together, they show us that swimming is about much more than racing – it’s about resilience, community, and love. It is also evident that Jo wears the pants....

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we’re heading to the icy waters of Saint Bathans, where a remarkable group of swimmers braved temperatures of less than five degrees Celsius. Under the guidance of Ice Swimming President Roger Soulsby, these athletes pushed the very limits of physical endurance in one of the most breathtaking – and brutal – environments in New Zealand. But this challenge wasn’t faced alone. Alongside the swimmers were an incredible team of water safety officers, medics, doctors, and volunteers – the unsung heroes who kept us safe, supported, and inspired throughout the event. We’ll hear firsthand what it takes to swim in these extreme conditions, the mindset required to step into near-freezing water, and the community spirit that made it all possible. So settle in – this is a story of courage, camaraderie, and cold water like you’ve never heard before.

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re joined by a man whose story will make you laugh, make you think, and maybe even make you tear up a little. He’s a Kiwi swimmer, a fighter, a smiler, and a guy who’s learning how to navigate life with a whole lot of heart – and with multiple sclerosis tagging along for the ride. Duncan Grant has spent years in and around the water, but these days, the real challenge isn’t the ocean – it’s the daily grind of living with MS. And yet, you’d never know it from his attitude. This is a man who shows up with a grin, cracks a joke, and still manages to outswim half the pack. He’s proof that resilience doesn’t have to be loud – sometimes it just looks like quietly showing up, again and again. We dive into Duncan’s life, his love of swimming, how MS has shaped – but never defined – his journey, and what keeps him going even on the hardest days.

Send us Fan Mail He’s one of New Zealand’s most loved, straight-talking comedians, a mental health advocate, and the force behind I AM HOPE – the movement that’s changing the way Kiwis think about mental health. He’s been on stages around the world, behind the mic, in schools, in parliament – and now, he’s with us… a sort of honorary Clever Dick. Today, we’re sitting down with Mike King – to hear not just about his journey through life, laughter, and loss – but also his evolving relationship with the ocean. From backyard swims to bold new adventures, including his decision to take part in our SwimScape 12 x 1 Mile charity swim this November – raising awareness and support for men’s mental health. Expect laughter, honesty, a few unexpected travel stories, and a whole lot of heart. This one’s real, raw, and refreshingly Mike.

Send us Fan Mail Hey legends, welcome back to The Clever Dicks Open Water Podcast — where we dive deep into the minds of swimmers, coaches, and salty sea legends from around the world. Today, we’ve got an absolute ripper of a guest. She’s fast, she’s fierce, and she knows her stuff — it’s the amazing Merle Maud! Merle’s not just your average lane cruiser — she’s a certified Swim Smooth Coach, a seasoned Ironman athlete, and a passionate marathon swimmer who’s helping Aucklanders of all stripes find their stroke, build confidence, and push limits. You might know her from Swim Smooth Auckland, where she’s turning spaghetti arms into streamlined torpedoes every day. We’re chatting race prep, mindset, marathon swims, and how to balance coaching, training, and maybe even having a life outside the water — if that’s allowed. Buckle in and enjoy the chat with Merle Maud. https://www.swimsmoothauckland.co.nz/