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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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