WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A SWIMQUEST GUIDE?
I learnt to swim in the Mediterranean Sea when I was 3/4 years old with my parents. They used to take my brother and I in the ocean and teach us to swim on our holidays, so my love of the ocean and the great outdoors started from a very young age. I was then fortunate enough to swim competitively as a national pool swimmer when I was in my teens and then for GB age group in cross triathlon and aquathlon throughout my twenties and thirties! The water bug has stuck with me, and I have qualified for the World Championships Aquathlon in July 2025 and am still competing in some British Masters events too! So alongside personal swimming ventures, I also run my own open water swimming coaching and sports business which led me to the fabulous SwimQuest team. When I heard about some of the amazing destinations they offer to coach and guide – I had to apply to be a swim guide and share some of the most memorable working experiences in and out of the water! The team at Swim Quest made me feel so welcome and both John and Alice continuously search for the best swim locations for both the guests and guides to make it simply a dream job and experience for all!
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SWIM?
Egypt has some amazing swim spots, and I encountered some very inquisitive rays, dolphins and masses of colourful fish when I was diving there…but the water in Mathraki when swimming in the ‘big blue drop’ and around the islands is very special. On a personal note – my Husband and swam in the springs in Florida where in the space of 3 hours we encountered dolphins, alligators and manatees (do not worry, alligators are not on the agenda for Swim Quest trips!!)
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?
I have spent most of my working career and personal achievements though being in or around water, so I guess I am proudest of channeling this knowledge and previous experience from grassroot to elite level into running my own business. Creating an opportunity for more people to experience the joy of feeling fitter, healthier and happier in and out of water is a great achievement in itself and I love being a part of that journey.
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OPEN WATER?
I think I spend more time in open water than on land, especially in the summer so I think it’s safe to say that I am slightly addicted! Having said that, I frequently remind myself and others that all open water / the environment can be dangerous and is more powerful than any human being, so safety when swimming is paramount.
WHICH SWIMQUEST LOCATIONS HAVE YOU GUIDED? WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THEM?
I have guided Mathraki which is truly magical. You really feel like you have the whole island to yourself, and the water is simply stunning. It really is a special place that will stick in everyone’s minds after swimming there. I have also guided two tours in the UK in Norfolk at Fritton Lake where I do a lot of coaching . The lake and setting is beautiful but we also combine these trips with swims in the North Sea on the Norfolk and Suffolk coast where you can enjoy some quiet sandy beaches.
WHAT ARE YOUR SWIM PLANS / GOALS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR?
As briefly mentioned above, I am competing for GB age group in the World Champiosnhips this year in Spain and I am also competing for British Masters in some sprints (50m) pool swimming events in Free, Fly and Breast to see if I can match (or beat) my times when I was 16!! I try to keep up my own training schedule as well as train other swimmers every day, so I get up at 5am, swim at 5:45am 4 times a week, run 3 times a week and focus on S&C in the gym or at home 3 times a week too.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS
- Loyal
- Competitive (oops)
- Supportive
SKINS OR WETSUIT?
Ooooh I do love to swim without any restrictions BUT I also love the buoyancy of a wetsuit over a long distance, so I am going to go for Wetsuit.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE LOOKING TO BOOK A SWIMQUEST HOLIDAY OR EVENT?
From the moment you enquire right up until you’ve conquered the trip and are sat at home with a coffee looking through the amazing photos – you will be fully supported. Alice and John will spend endless hours making each trip right for you and help you when deciding where to go or what sort of trip to do. Not only that, but you will also meet some amazing people, make special friends and likely book again and again, which is why the SwimQuest team and offer is so unique.
DO YOU HAVE A LIFE MOTTO?
I have several but I have learnt over the last 10 years especially – you never know what is round the corner so live every day like it is your last and seize every opportunity or experience you can!
