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.
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What is The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming?
The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming is a sports podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 35 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.
About the host
Unknown Host hosts The Science and Art of Open Water Swimming, a sports show with 35 episodes published.
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Episode #34
William Ellis: Why We Come to the Water
Aug 17, 202648 min
Why do people come to the water, and what keeps them returning? In this episode, I’m joined by William Ellis: open-water swimmer, marathon swim coach, actor, voice artist, and host of An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast. Through his own swimming journey and hundreds of conversations with swimmers from around the world, Will has developed a unique perspective on resilience, community, personal growth, and the role the water can play in helping us navigate life's challenges. Our conversation explores: Developing mastery when progress feels slow What acting and swimming can teach us about resilience Confidence, uncertainty and taking on ambitious challenges How swimming helped Will navigate grief and adversity The importance of community and connection in open-water swimming What Will has learned from interviewing swimmers from all walks of life Why people come to the water, and what they find there We also discuss Will's successful English Channel crossing, his circumnavigation swims of Jersey, his preparation for a 70 km lengthwise swim of Lake Geneva, and the charitable work supporting his son Odie's specialist school. Find out more about Will An Open Water Swimmer's Podcast https://owswimpod.com ️ William Ellis https://www.williamhenryellis.com ♂️ Open Water Swimming profile https://www.openwaterswimming.com/actor-and-open-water-swimmer-will-ellis-raises-funds-for-charity-through-podcast-and-solo-swims/ ❤️ Lake Geneva fundraiser supporting Odie's specialist SEND school https://www.justgiving.com/page/william-ellis-lake-geneva?newPage=true 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. https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows) 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.
Sam Moore: Community, Inclusion and the GeoBay Swim
Aug 10, 202638 min
What makes an open water swimming event truly accessible? In this episode of The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming, I speak with Sam Moore, one of the driving forces behind the GeoBay Swim, a unique 20 km point-to-point swim from Dunsborough to Busselton that has quickly become a favourite on the Western Australian open water swimming calendar. Sam shares the story of how the event grew from an idea during Ironman WA training sessions in Geographe Bay, and how a chance conversation led him to discover that coach Mick Bray had created a similar swim years earlier. We explore how that original concept evolved into the GeoBay Swim we know today. We discuss: The origins and history of the GeoBay Swim The influence of Mick Bray and the local swimming community Why the event doesn't require support boats The unique "beach party" changeover format Stopping the clock and encouraging a more social relay experience Wetsuits, inclusion, and reducing barriers to participation GeoBay's role as a stepping stone to swims such as Rottnest and Port to Pub Why the event continues to grow and recently sold out The future of the event, including potential shorter-distance options More broadly, this conversation explores how thoughtful event design can help more people experience the challenge, community and enjoyment of open water swimming. Links GeoBay Swim https://www.geobayswim.com.au/ GeoBay Swim on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/geobayswim/ GeoBay Swim on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/geobayswim Parkinson's WA https://www.parkinsonswa.org.au/ Connect with the Podcast Follow The Science & Art of Open Water Swimming for conversations with swimmers, coaches, researchers and event organisers exploring the many dimensions of open water swimming. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, your swim squad, or anyone interested in open water swimming. 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.
Ben Roberts: Participation, Progression and the Growth of Open Water Swimming in WA
Aug 3, 202642 min
Open water swimming in Western Australia continues to grow, attracting everyone from first-time ocean swimmers to elite athletes competing on the world stage. In this episode, I speak with Ben Roberts, Manager of Events and Partnerships at Swimming WA, about the evolution of the Swimming WA Open Water Series, now entering its twentieth season. We discuss the factors driving participation growth, how the series caters for swimmers of all ages and abilities, and the role open water swimming can play in building confidence, community and lifelong involvement in the sport. Ben also shares his own journey from elite pool swimmer to managing Australia's largest open water swimming series, along with his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing open water swimming in Western Australia. In this episode we discuss: Ben's swimming journey and transition into sports administration The history and growth of the Swimming WA Open Water Series Why open water swimming is becoming increasingly popular in WA Participation trends across different age groups Creating opportunities for beginners through to elite athletes The importance of offering a range of event distances Open water swimming as a tool for retention and lifelong participation Regional events and expanding opportunities beyond Perth The pathway from pool swimming to high-performance open water competition The impact of hosting Australian Open Water Championships in WA The upcoming 3 km Knockout format and future innovations What the future of open water swimming in Western Australia might look like Mentioned in this episode Swimming WA Open Water Series https://www.openwaterswimming.com.au/ Swimming WA https://wa.swimming.org.au/ Swimming WA Open Water Series Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OWSSeries Swimming WA Open Water Series Instagram https://www.instagram.com/owsseries/ 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. https://www.instagram.com/scienceandartofows/ (@scienceandartofows) 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.
Jordina Quain: Identity, Belonging and the Hidden Impact of Endurance Sport
Jul 27, 202648 min
What does endurance sport give us beyond fitness and performance? In this episode, I speak with Jordina Quain, an endurance swimmer, Ironman athlete, sexologist, educator and PhD researcher exploring how exercise shapes women's sexuality and sense of self. Jordi recently completed her first solo Port to Pub crossing to Rottnest Island after overcoming significant health challenges, using open water swimming as both a comeback goal and a pathway back to confidence, capability and connection. Our conversation explores the deeper reasons people are drawn to endurance sport, including belonging, identity, purpose and what Jordi describes as the feeling of mattering. We discuss how exercise can influence confidence, relationships and body image, why some important aspects of women's experiences in sport remain under-discussed, and what her research is beginning to reveal about the connections between physical, mental and sexual wellbeing. We also reflect on the role of community in achieving ambitious goals, the power of language in shaping our experiences, and why open water swimming continues to draw us back to the ocean. In this episode we discuss: Jordi's journey into open water swimming and endurance sport Recovering from serious health challenges and finding a new goal Completing a solo Port to Pub crossing Community, belonging and support in endurance sport Confidence, capability and identity through challenge Women's experiences of exercise, body image and wellbeing Sexuality, relationships and sport The importance of language and framing The Mary Oliver quote that guided Jordi's Port to Pub swim What keeps drawing Jordi back to the ocean Connect with Jordina Instagram: @the_sporty_sexologist https://www.instagram.com/the_sporty_sexologist/ LinkedIn: Jordina Quain https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordina-quain-8a800b169/ 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. Instagram: @scienceandartofows 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.
Dr Sacha Fulton: Preparation, Adaptability and Performing Under Pressure
Jul 20, 202646 min
What does great preparation actually look like? In this episode, I sit down with Dr Sacha Fulton, Accredited Sports Scientist, athlete preparation specialist, founder of Peak Preparation and a two-time Rottnest Channel solo swimmer, to explore how athletes can build the behaviours, routines and adaptability needed to perform when conditions don't go to plan. Drawing on her experiences in elite sport, her work with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and her own journey through endurance sport and open water swimming, Sacha shares why preparation is about far more than simply accumulating training kilometres. We discuss: Why training performance and competition performance are not the same thing The role of preparation in managing uncertainty and pressure How adaptability can be developed through training Pool fitness versus open-water readiness Why open water swimmers should prepare for changing conditions, not perfect conditions The danger of becoming too reliant on numbers and metrics What separates elite athletes from recreational athletes The importance of consistency, recovery and behaviour change Why calmness on the start line is often a reflection of preparation Whether you're preparing for your first open water swim, a Rottnest Channel crossing, or simply looking to become a more resilient and adaptable athlete, this episode offers practical insights from someone who has spent a career helping athletes perform at their best. Links Peak Preparation: https://www.peakpreparation.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peakpreparation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sacha-fulton/ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing it with a friend or training partner. 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.
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