If you’ve done the Catalina Channel, you’ve likely heard of, met, or had our guest, Dan Simonelli, as you kayaker! In 2015, Dan received the MSF Streeter Award for Service to Marathon Swimming, and in fact has supported over 200 marathon swims as either coach, crew chief, support crew, or kayaker. A testament to his own marathon swimming pursuits, in […]
We had a wonderful opportunity to chat with 16 year old phenom Vera Rivard, just days after her successful circumnavigation of Manhattan. Vera has already completed the 25 mile In Search of Memphre in 2018 and is crossing her fingers that she can make good on her English Channel window in August despite the pandemic of 2020. Vera describes a […]
I had to prod International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree, Liz Fry, several times before she finally agreed to be our guest on Marathon Swim Stories. What a treat it was to hear her tell tales from her nearly 2 decade long career. The oldest person to complete the Oceans Seven, and the only person to ever double all […]
In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories, Elaine Howley interviewed me! It’s easy to see why I prefer to be the interviewer as listen to myself struggle to find words and endure the play by play of my swimming history, and while the fear of messing up my kids is real, it isn’t as paralyzing as it sounds when you […]
Prior to the 4th of July weekend, I spent my Friday afternoon chatting with Marathon Swimmers Federation 2019 Barra Award nominee, John Batchelder. We relaxed into the interview just like John relaxes into his distance butterfly and touched on swimming for weight loss, how John became “butterfly man”, being motivated by others and finding ways to reciprocate that support. In […]
On Canada Day Jessi Harewicz joined us from her home beach and talked to us about thinking marathon swimmers are crazy, shedding the wetsuit, allowing yourself to fall in love with the water again and the freedom of swimming from home your home beach. In her own words: Born and raised in Vancouver British Columbia I got into marathon swimming […]
This stormy Knoxville morning, we chatted with the founder of Bridges to Bluffs, Knoxville Open Water Swimmers, and marathon swimmer himself, Blaik Ogle. Quick to dismiss his accomplishments, Blaik focused the conversation on building community in Knoxville, but I got him to tell us a little bit about tackling the cold, not taking no for an answer, and getting stuck […]
In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories, I spoke with a marathon swimmer from Berlin, Germany, who loves swimming with friends and being out in nature. Matthias Kassner, graciously spent part of his Friday evening with me to chat about his adventures as he pursues the Oceans Seven. We talk about not feeling much after a big swim, overcoming the […]
In this episode we were inspired by a remarkable woman who has attempted a double of the North Channel, not once, but twice! Caroline Block, started marathon swimming just five years ago and has honed an impressive resume, including 4 successful crossings of the North Channel. We talk about equal access, being a conservative swimmer, having a super human ability […]
In this episode of Marathon Swim Stories, we spoke to Paula Yankauskas, an endurance swimmer, veterinarian, and new grandmother. After completing the Catalina Channel in 2018, Paula became the third oldest individual to complete a Triple Crown – though she doesn’t focus on her age, she’s happy to motivate people to swim into their senior years! We talk about how […]