The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

About The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming

The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming explores what it really takes to swim well and safely, in open water. Hosted by endurance swimming coach and sport scientist Grant Landers, the podcast brings together swimmer stories, coaching insights, and evidence-based science to unpack performance, preparation, and decision-making in unpredictable environments. Each episode features conversations with open water swimmers, triathletes, coaches, and researchers, covering topics such as training alongside work and family life, adapting to conditions, managing uncertainty, and learning from both success and setbacks. The podcast is informed by Grant’s work coaching endurance swimmers and triathletes, as well as his research at the University of Western Australia, but it’s intended for the broader open water swimming community. Whether you’re preparing for your first open water event or refining your performance at the endurance end of the sport, this is where swimmers, science, and the sea converge.

Publisher

Grant Landers

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Jan 2026

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

44 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Dr Elizabeth Sinclair: Swimming, Science and Seeing the Ocean Differently

   What happens when a lifelong swimmer develops the tools to understand what's happening beneath the surface? In this episode, I sit down with Dr Elizabeth Sinclair, evolutionary biologist, conservation geneticist, marine scientist, and long-time endurance athlete. Liz shares her journey from a self-described novice open water swimmer completing her first triathlon in the United States, to representing Australia at Age Group World Championships on 18 occasions. Along the way, we explore memorable races around the world, the challenges of open water swimming, and the lessons learned through decades of endurance sport. We also dive into Liz's scientific career, from early research on quokkas and conservation genetics to her work studying seagrass ecosystems, environmental change, and marine resilience in Shark Bay. But perhaps the most fascinating part of the conversation is how her perspective on the ocean has changed. Where she once hurried across reefs and seagrass beds, she now finds herself slowing down to observe the remarkable ecosystems beneath her. It's a reminder that the more we understand the environments we swim through, the more connected to them we become. Whether you're an open water swimmer, triathlete, ocean lover, or simply curious about the natural world, this is a conversation about sport, science, curiosity, and learning to see the ocean differently. You can connect with Dr Elizabeth Sinclair on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/seagrassliz/ Enjoyed this episode? If you found this conversation interesting, please share it with a friend, training partner, or swim buddy. Your support helps more people discover the podcast and these conversations. You can also follow The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming on your favourite podcast platform and through Instagram and Facebook, and leave a rating, review, or comment to help others find the show. This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

2. 

   12 Oct 2026

   A/Prof Heather Massey: The English Channel, Cold Water and the Science of Swimming

   What can marathon swimmers teach us about staying safe in open water? Can we really adapt to cold water? And why are researchers increasingly interested in the connection between outdoor swimming, wellbeing and mental health? In this episode, I sit down with A/Prof Heather Massey, an environmental physiologist at the University of Portsmouth and a leading researcher in cold-water immersion, swimmer safety and outdoor swimming. Heather is also an accomplished marathon swimmer, having completed a solo English Channel crossing, multiple Channel relays, and represented Great Britain at the World Ice Swimming Championships. During our conversation, we explore Heather's journey into open-water swimming, what she learned from her English Channel crossing, and the unique physiological and psychological demands of marathon swimming. We discuss cold-water adaptation, hypothermia, SIPE, swimmer safety, and some of the misconceptions that continue to surround cold-water swimming. We also discuss Heather's research into outdoor swimming and mental health, why scientists are increasingly interested in the potential benefits of outdoor swimming, and what questions remain unanswered. Whether you're training for a channel swim, preparing for your first winter season, or simply curious about the science behind open-water swimming, this episode is packed with practical insights and thought-provoking discussion. Heather will be visiting Western Australia next month as part of a UWA Institute of Advanced Studies Visiting Fellowship, where she will present public talks on long-distance swimming, outdoor swimming, and mental health. This conversation offers a wonderful introduction to Heather's work ahead of her visit. Enjoyed this episode?If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates. This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

3. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Ceinwen Roberts: Marathon Swimming, Community and a Life in the Ocean

   In this episode of The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming, I sit down with Ceinwen Roberts; marathon swimmer, coach, event organiser and one of the most influential contributors to open-water swimming in Western Australia. From her early days in the pool to becoming an Australian Hall of Fame marathon swimmer, Ceinwen reflects on a lifetime spent in and around the water. We explore her journey to 34 solo Rottnest Channel crossings, breaking the longstanding women's record, completing a Rottnest Triple Crossing, circumnavigating Rottnest Island, and setting a world record across the Bristol Channel. But this conversation goes well beyond achievements. Ceinwen shares the lessons she's learned from decades of marathon swimming, the role the ocean has played throughout different stages of her life, and how some of her most meaningful experiences have come through helping others achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. We also discuss the origins of Positive Swim Squad, the creation and growth of Port to Pub, the evolution of open-water swimming in WA, and her reflections on community, resilience, family, and what it means to spend a lifetime connected to the water. Whether you're training for your first ocean swim, preparing for a channel crossing, or simply love stories from the open-water community, Ceinwen's warmth, humour and perspective make this a conversation not to be missed. Enjoyed this episode?If you found this conversation valuable, share it with a training partner or someone in your swimming or triathlon community. You can also follow The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming on Facebook and Instagram for more episodes, insights and updates. This interview was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. I acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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