Clever Dicks

Send us a text After four and a half years of relentless training, countless setbacks, and a swim dream rooted in childhood memories, Mark finally conquered the mighty Cook Strait. What started off as a tribute to long summer days at the Te Awamutu Swimming Baths—run by his late father, Cor—evolved into a powerful personal journey of resilience, love, and legacy. Pushed by a deep family connection to swimming but also a desire to inspire his wife Michelle and their three young children, Mark endured 100 days across three summers waiting for the perfect conditions. When his moment came, he embraced it fully—completing the 27.6 km swim in 7 hours and 15 minutes. In this episode, we dive into the story behind the swim: the cold-water fear, the tidal heartbreaks, the support crew who stood by him, and the voice of his father echoing, “Go Mark,” as he powered across the strait. 

Send us a textToday we're diving into a fantastic tool designed to help everyday Kiwis enjoy our beautiful beaches more safely - Safeswim. Safeswim has had some bad press within the Open Water Swimming Community, but when you remember that it was built for the general public — families, casual swimmers, and anyone heading to the beach — giving clear, accessible information so you can make safe and confident decisions before getting in the water, it starts making more sense. The platform is constantly learning and evolving, and now it's even better thanks to its partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand. This means more accurate and timely updates, plus an improved understanding of local conditions. One of the most valuable features is that it doesn't just tell you if the water looks good — it gives you a list of real-time hazards at specific beaches, from strong currents to pollution alerts, helping you avoid surprises and stay safe.Great tool, getting better and better. 

Send us a textToday we dive deep into the mind of an extraordinary human pushing the limits of what's possible. Our guest is not just swimming in uncharted waters — he's owning them.From the sun-soaked shores of Malta to the icy depths of world records, Neil Agius has redefined what it means to go the distance. A former Olympian turned ultra-endurance marathon swimmer, Neil etched his name in history with his jaw-dropping 142.3km swim around Malta — the longest unassisted, current neutral ocean swim ever recorded. No wetsuit. No flippers. Just sheer grit and ocean-sized determination.He's also a passionate environmental activist, spearheading the 'Wave of Change' movement to clean up our seas and inspire a more sustainable world. So whether you're an athlete, a dreamer, or just someone who needs a little push to chase the impossible — strap in. Because today, we're going the distance with Neil Agius."Cool dude too. 

Send us a textWelcome to the Clever Dicks Swim Podcast, where we dive into the stories of passionate open water swimmers who push the limits of endurance and determination. Today, we're talking to Jan Steenkamp, an inspiring swimmer based in Auckland. Jan's journey in the water began in high school, but it was eight years ago when he decided to get back into the water with a mission. In one of the most ambitious feats in the world of open water swimming, Jan attempted the daunting 80km Double Lake Taupo swim. Though he didn't finish that first try, he didn't give up. Instead, he tweaked is approach, toned down the training and worked on his feeds, and came back two years later with his gang of mates to become just the 5th person ever to complete this incredible challenge.Jan has proved that perseverance and the will to learn from failure can lead to greatness. Get ready for an inspiring chat about what it really takes to go the distance. Let's dive in!

Send us a textIn this episode, we dive into the swim journey of ultra-marathon swimmer Jono Ridler, whose relentless determination took him from a debilitating shoulder injury to one of the most awe-inspiring endurance feats in New Zealand's waters—his 99km, 33-hour swim from Great Barrier Island to Takapuna. Jono shares the mental and physical battles he faced, from hallucinations to the discipline required to balance elite-level swimming with everyday life.We explore the mindset that fuels such extreme endurance, the lessons learned from pushing to the limit, and what it takes to keep going when every part of you is screaming to stop. If you're fascinated by resilience, ocean swimming, and the power of the human spirit, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Send us a textToday, we're  a little late in flying the flag in support of Nick Edwards, who made a gallant effort for 13 hours swimming across this massive stretch of water called the Cook Strait, battling fierce currents, icy temps, and unpredictable conditions. Unfortunately the ocean was not working with Nick today and the cold and huge currents put an end to his swim. But, he was not out there swimming on his own - his swim was to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, a disease that affects thousands yet remains widely under-recognized.Every year, over 300,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and early detection is critical. Nick's mission is to spark conversations, push for awareness, and, most importantly, raise funds to support research and those affected.Want to support Nick's incredible journey? Donate now by clicking on the link below and help make a difference.https://showup.ovariancancerfoundation.org.nz/nick-edwards

Send us a textMilton Brest is not just a businessman from Johannesburg—he's a force of nature. A former karate athlete, he has taken on some of the world's most extreme open-water challenges, from braving the icy waters of the Bering Strait to swimming the treacherous currents around Alcatraz and Robben Island, meeting Eskimo's and swimming at the Base Camp of Everest. Training just steps away from the legendary Ellis Park Stadium, the home of Springbok rugby, Milton is no stranger to discipline and endurance.Beyond his incredible athletic feats, Milton has also been a bit of a mentor to me, and today, we'll be unpacking the mindset, motivation, and life lessons behind his adventures. So, whether you're here for inspiration, adventure, or just a great conversation—stick around. This is going to be a good one!"

Send us a textEpisode 35 sees the Clever Dicks chat with a true force in the world of open water swimming, Wellington's very own Corrina Connor. She's conquered the relentless currents of Foveaux Strait, battled the unpredictable Cook Strait, and taken on the vast, stunning Lake Taupō - completing New Zealand's prestigious Triple Crown of Swimming. But Corrina is much more than just an endurance athlete—she's also a musician, a librarian, and, as anyone who knows her will tell you, an absolute lady.From the solitude of long-distance swims to the rhythm of music and the quiet wisdom of libraries, Corrina's journey is nothing short of inspiring. So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let's dive into the mind of a woman who thrives where others might falter.

Send us a textWelcome to Clever Dicks, where we dive into the stories of extraordinary athletes who have redefined their sports and inspired the world.Today, we spotlight Mary Fisher, one of New Zealand's most decorated Paralympic swimmers. Born with a visual impairment, Mary didn't just overcome obstacles—she shattered records. A Paralympic gold medalist, world champion, and multiple world record-holder, she dominated the pool in events ranging from sprint freestyle to backstroke and medley, and of late, Ice Swimming and Open Water Swimming. Her journey began in Wellington, but her impact has rippled across the globe. From standing atop the podium in London 2012 to breaking world records at Rio 2016, Mary's career has been a testament to resilience, skill, and determination. And beyond the pool, she's tackled open water swimming, proving that her love for the water knows no bounds.To top it off, Mary is one of the nicest people I know. Enjoy!

Send us a textToday, we're thrilled to introduce a guest who's taking the open water swimming scene by storm: Alex Dunkley.Alex is a young swimmer from Auckland starting out on his open water journey and learning some of the tricks of the trade. Recently back from a swim camp in Australia, although dominant in New Zealand, Alex now knows he have massive room for further improvement. Known for his lightning speed and unwavering determination, Alex has carved a name for himself as an unstoppable force in the Ocean Swim Series. With his flowing blonde locks—that seem to have a mind of their own—and an infectious, down-to-earth attitude, he's not just a champion in the water but a true crowd favorite.Whether you're a fan of swimming, the ocean, or just love hearing stories of incredible human spirit, you won't want to miss this conversation. So grab a towel, and let's dive in—it's time to meet Alex Dunkley!

Send us a textAmy is the first person to swim the 29.7 miles or 48km's from San Francisco to the Farallon Island, dodging the sharks and the cold. She chats about balancing shift work as a pediatric nurse and her training, being a granny, and some of her other swims including swimming around Manhattan Island, Gibraltar Strait, North Channel and the Catalina Channel. Tough lady! 

Send us a textIn this episode, Jim interviews Duncan! As some of our listeners may know Duncan swims with an intellectually handicapped young Fijian swimmer, Shazeel. Duncan and Shazeel recently swam 20 km around Rangitoto island in the Hauraki coast, right next to Auckland.We talk about what it means to be a support swimmer and how Shazeel's mum helps, gets him ready and ensures he understands as well as possible. We then talk about the practicalities of the swim, clockwise or anti-clockwise, which is best? We also talk about maybe having an Auckland mini triple crown. 1 - Round Rangi, 2 Waiheke to Okahu (the chopper challenge), 3 to be decided. Looking for suggestions from listeners.Then we talk about going swim camping, lots of ideas, need to make it real now.A note from Jim - I am still blown away by the effort & care that Duncan, and other support swimmers give. Let's all consider helping others to swim. It may be swimming with someone disabled, but it could be going out with someone nervous.

Send us a textIn this episode, Duncan & Jim chat with Cameron Stanley, an ex-national swimmer and all-around great guy. Cameron's impressive swimming career saw him represent New Zealand and hold a national backstroke record, showcasing his talent in the pool. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he also set a world record for the ice 100m IM, proving his resilience in some of the coldest waters imaginable.After his competitive days, Cameron moved into coaching, sharing his expertise and passion with the next generation of swimmers. These days, he calls Wanaka home, drawn by its stunning landscapes and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.Beyond the pool, Cameron's love for pushing boundaries has led him to incredible feats, including a 40km swim along the length of Lake Wakatipu. Whether it's taking on frigid waters in Alexandra or exploring new trails on foot, Cameron embraces every opportunity for adventure. Tune in to hear his inspiring journey and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Send us a textIn this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Laura QuilterLaura is a competitive swimmer who has represented New Zealand at the commonwealth games and at world championships. She also represented New Zealand at surf lifesaving and was surf lifesaving sportswoman of the year in 2013.We met Laura in Alexandra where she came down to try and set some world records in the shorter events (which she did) but the stayed on and did the 500m and 1km.Laura is a great advocate for swimming to enjoy life and also to be the best swimmer you can.She is active on Instagram with tips for swimmers and also runs online coach clinics.https://www.instagram.com/auramove.nz/

Send us a textIn this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Dan Abel.Dan is a Christchurch based swimmer who runs a swim consultancy. And we cover what that means, teaching & coaching swimming, organising events/safaris and advocating for swimming where ever he can.The talk was wide ranging covering his swimming career, his views on what is happening with swimming in New Zealand and so much more.

Send us a textIn this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Colin McLeod.Colin lives in the outer Hebrides which is part of Scotland.He has done some amazing swims, even though the water there must be quite cold (he happily uses a wetsuit). Many of his swims are for charity, he has supported quite a few in his time. Currently he is attempting to swim the same distance as from Land's End to John O'Groats, 841 miles in under a year. I'm sure he will have completed that by the time this is released.He also goes swim camping, basically tows a waterproof rucksack behind him and then camps with friends. Sounds fun, we must try it.Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@hebseaswimmer/featuredFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/3259755210733798

Send us a textIn this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Sheryl McLay.Sheryl used to be a competitive marathon swimmer and has swum many of the great marathon swim, Cook Strait, English channel & Taupo. After stopping to swim competitively Sheryl carried on coaching swimmers and organising swim events.We talk about how Covid made it too hard to continue organising events and how local/smaller events are harder to run now.Sheryl is a life member of Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and is passionate about making people safer in the water.

Send us a textIn this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Ben Clavel.We met Ben when he came over to New Zealand from Australia to swim at our Ice Swimming pool championships.Ben hasn't been swimming for long, but already has achived more than many others.He got started as a means to support his kids who were into swimming, and then got going in his own way.He swam the English Channel in a relaym with almost no ocean swimming experience, and if that was not enough decided to come to NZ with one of his relay friends to try his hand at Ice swimming.He is a really good bloke and has some great stories.

Send us a textIn this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Brent Bythell.Brent is a disbled swimmer from the top of the south island of New Zealand. We first met Brent at the St Bathans openwater ice swimming event in 2023, and later at Alexandra ice pool champs in 2024.We talk to him about why he started cold water immersion and the road to ice swimming. (he hasn't had a hot shower in 8 years!).But that's not all. Brent also is a world record holder and has a place in the Guinness book of world records for doing freedive swims of 62m, with no fins and no kicking. Very impressive.

Send us a textIn this episore Duncan & Jim talk to Peter Plavec.Peter has done numerous ice swims with a number of ice kilometers and an ice mile. He gives us lots of nuggets about how he approaches cold water swimming and we talk about what it is like in Europe.He is very active on Instragram so if you would like to see what he is up to, here's a link.Peter Plavec on Instagram

Send us a textIn this episode Duncan & Jim speak to Ruth.Ruth grew up in Spain, then spent some time in Chile before settling in New Zealand.Ruthy (as most peope refer to her as) loves the pool, but took up openwater swimming in NZ with the Kohi Kippers.Ruthy has swum Lake Taupo and the Apolima Strait, both big swims with their own challenges.A passionate swimmer she even talked Duncan to a standstill!

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Ram Barkai.Many people will know of Ram as the founder of the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA), but there's more to Ram than that.Before founding IISA he had done numeraous adventure swims, including a massive swim along the Orange river in South Africa over 4 years.He organised 'freedom' swims from Robben Island at Cape Town, and even did the swim at night.He took Duncan on his first Ice swim in South Africa, not sure he has fully recovered!We also talk about why it is an Ice Mile, and why 5 degrees celcius was chosen.International Ice Swimming Association

Send us a Text Message.The New Zealand Ice swimming pool championships occured from 9 - 13 July 2024. Duncan & Jim were there (and did some swimming) and got to speak to a number of swimmers there.We talked about our swoms, why we do cold swimming and asked others why they swim in cold water.An interesting group of people and interesting answers.If you want to know why people do it, or if you are curious and want to learn more then this episode is for you.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode we talk to Bree while we were at the NZ Ice Swimming Championships.Bree is a lovely, bubbly young womanwho was quite happy to challenge some older male clever dicks!We got to speak about her swimming story and some of her other life experiences, including living in the arctic for a year.Bree has done ice swimming and has also complete 2 of the NZ triple crown swims. She is currently training for the 3rd, te Ara a Kiwa/Foveaux Strait and is looking to raise money for shark conservation by doing it. There's a link below if you would like to support her.We had to pay a price to do this episode, Bree insisted on putting make-up on the clever dicks, just as we were off to the prize giving for the Ice swimming champs. Pic's on Instagram.ReferencesRBM3 protein - involved in cold chock & hypothermiaDream Girl by Joy HolleyMountains to Sea, WellingtonGive a Little page for Swimming Te Ara a Kiwa for SharksBree on Instagram

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Francois Lambrechts.We talk about Francois about his start to swimming in Queenstown in a borrowed wetsuit, but ended up swimming in skins in Dunedin. Impressive as the water can get below 10C in Dunedin.Francois has a rare disease call Charcot Marie Tooth syndrom which affects his electrical system, and in spite of this has become quite a swimmer.He is also an active volunteer for the NZ Coastguard and is participating in this years fund raising, the Big Swim. He tells us about the swim and also lots about what the coast guard does in New Zealand.The Big SwimFrancois page on the big swimThe Clever Dicks Big Swim pageInfo on Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseasehttps://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/1245/charcot-marie-tooth-disease-type-1a

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Woodie Campbell, or as we found out to Wirimu Campbell. Wiri/Woodie only started a few years ago when people at his gym convinced him to join in the swim squad.Before that he was doing his version of a triathalon, 10 min each in the Sauna, the steam room & the spa pool!Not long after starting to swim his sister convinced him (told him) to join them in doing the Iron Maori, a triathalon event, so he had to move to real tri's.He is now a committed ocean swimmer and has participated in most of the NZ open water swim events.A very engaging story, it is easy to see why he is popular with many swimmers.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Duncan & Jim interview  Jeannine Goddard. Jeannine learned to swim in Zimbabwe where she grew up and has carried on swimming since then.We talk about getting into ocean swims as well as her grit & determination in achieving more & more goals.Recently she completed an ICE MILE at her first attempt and gives a great account of the swim.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Andy Donaldson.Andy has achieved what no other swimmer has done before, he completed the Oceans 7 swims within a year. And set the world record for crossing the Cook Strait taking only 4hours 33 minutes, that is seriously fast.But we talked about much more than swimming, his support of mental health charities, whether the aussies understand his scottish accent, and what kind of kilt he has.Andy was a wonderful person to talk to, and had plenty of great stories to share.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Cameron Bellamy. Cameron is an extreme athlete by any standard. He has swum 100km around Barbados and from Barbados to St Lucia, a swim of over 151 km in 56 hours.And this is just his swimming, his rowing exploits as just as fantastic.We talked about swimming in the hot waters of the carribean, the mental aspects of swimming through the night (many times) and also how to deal with the pain of box jellies and salt mouth. 

In this captivating podcast episode, Duncan and Jim sit down with Phillip Rush, a remarkable New Zealand swimmer. Phillip's aquatic journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Let's dive into the highlights of his life:Background and Achievements:His claim to fame lies in conquering the English Channel in both two and three-way swims. In 1987, he achieved the world record for the fastest three-way swim, completing the grueling challenge in an impressive 28 hours and 21 minutes (with the two-way segment taking just 16 hours and 10 minutes).Phillip's aquatic prowess extends beyond the English Channel:He has swum the English Channel a total of 10 times.The Cook Strait in New Zealand has witnessed his strokes 8 times, including a remarkable Double Crossing (completed on March 13, 1984, in 16 hours and 16 minutes, and repeated on February 9, 1988, in 18 hours and 37 minutes).Notably, he became the first person to achieve a double crossing of New Zealand's Lake Taupō (a 40.2 km swim) in January 1985, setting a time record of 10 hours and 14 minutes.Life Beyond Swimming:After retiring from competitive swimming in 1990, Phillip Rush transitioned into coaching.His passion now lies in supporting and guiding swimmers embarking on solo swims around New Zealand.Phillip Rush's story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep love for the water. His legacy continues as he inspires the next generation of open-water swimmers.

In this episode we (well mainly Duncan) talk to Shamima. Shamima is the mother of Shazeel, a swimmer with autism and reduced mental capacity.We hear what water means to Shazeel and how it has always calmed him down, and the challenges of teaching him how to swim. Shazeel & Duncan have swum together for 4 years now, training swims, short (2km) races all the way up to a 20km chopper challenge swim.Shamima tells us what it is like to see her son swim off when she is on-shore and Duncan gives us some stories about what swimming with Shazeel is like.Sarah O'Dywer was, and is, a key part of Shazeels swimming journey and may be able to help other disabled swimmers. Her email address is sarah.007@windowslive.com

In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Ryan Stramrood from his home in South Africa.Ryan has done some amazing swimming in cold water. He has swum in the Arctic and the Antarctic as well as doing 140 Robben Island crossings. Robben Island was famously where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for many years.Ryan has written a book called 'Push Past Impossible' where he challenges people to go beyond their own 'impossible'.This was a great chat and he has some wonderful stories to tell.Web: https://ryanstramrood.com/Instagram: @Ryan_stramroodBook: Push past impossible

In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to James Hanson-Chong.James is the Special Operations Manager for Event safety New Zealand and has been looking after swimmers in events large & small for years now.We cover a number of areas:Safety - equipment, skills, information sources, what to look for and even what happens when sharks are around.The safety team & lifeguardsCosts and the rules & regulations around running eventsThe types of events he has worked at: surf lifesaving, large & small races, ice swims and individual marathon swims.And some swimmer behaviours and what swimmers can do to make the event better.It was great getting an insight into what it takes to put on events and look after swimmers.Here is James email address:James email

In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Sue & Leigh Sherwin, just after Sue had swum 15km in Lake Taupo.We talk about her early swimming career, and then picking it up later in life, swimming the length of Taupo, the Cook strait and the Foveaux strait to complete the New Zealand triple crown.Sue has also got involved in Ice swimming. Not only does she organise a lot of ice swimming, but she has set age group world records, and represented NZ at the world champs.She is a super granny and an inspiration to us all.

In this episone Duncan & Jim talk about the various swim characters that (probably) exist in all swim groups.Are you a organiser, a navigator, slow coach or a fast follower?How does people in your swim group get into cool/cold water, do you have 'soldiers', and maybe the occasional dinosaur?

In this episode Duncan & Jim were lucky to get this interview with Caitlin. Caitlin is a shy athlete but we got to hear about some of her amazing swims and her intentions for the future.Caitlin swam the Cook straight when she was 12 years old and went on to complete the New Zealand triple crown. Since then she has successfully completed another 4 of the Oceans 7's swim, with just 2 to go.She also did a double Taupo crossing (80km) as covid interupted her ocean 7's plan.But we also heard about other aspects of her swimming, how she feels about sharks & other critters and the occasional tears on a swim.We had a wonderful time talking to Caitlin, I hope you enjoy this episode too.Caitlin's website

In this episode Duncan & Jim discuss tow floats, those little bright coloured floats that ocean swimmers sometimes use. We discuss what they are and why people use them.  We talk about different uses, visibility, carrying things and the types of tow float.We also talk about the downsides & why some swimmers don't use them.

In this episode Duncan & Jim talk to Jacques de Reuck. Jacques has been involved in water activities his whole adult life, sailing internationally, free diving & swimming.We talked about many aspects of his life including some of his amazing swim stories showing us that getting older does not need to slow you down.We finish with the tough part of his story, getting a cancer diagnosis, that is most likely going to mean he can't swim again. But despite this his amazing positivity shines through as he moves on to the next chapter of his life.We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed speaking to Jacques.

In this episode Jim & Duncan talk to Brian Gray. Brian has done some epic swims, including a 55km trip around Waiheke island in the Hauraki gulf close to Auckland, New Zealand.We cover a number of areas including: his moustache; his big swims; his approach to training as well as feeding/nutrition and swimming for charity.If you want to follow Brian he has an Instagram account, link is here:https://www.instagram.com/bmiester_gray?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg== As always, comments & suggestions to cleverdicksnz@gmail.com

In this episode Duncan & Jim discuss the pros & cons of swimming in wetsuits v swimming without, just in togs (swimming costume). They also talk about swimming aids, a wetsuit is an aid, so why can't swimmers use paddles or other aids in races where some swimmers are in wetsuits.

In this, the Clever Dicks first interview, we (Duncan & Jim) talk to Roger Soulsby. Roger is well known in the Auckland openwater swimming community and has a heap of experiences to share with the audience.We talk about his start to swimming and why he keeps on swimming at 77 years of age. We cover his involvement in Ice swimming, the Fur Seals swim group, the occasional nude swim, his amazing swims (he swam 20km a few years ago) and his approach to feeding.

In this episode Duncan & Jim discuss whether swimming is too expensive and only available to richer people. Swimming pool access is not great in some parts of the world, and where it is available is not a cheap thing.

In this episode Duncan & Jim introduce themselves and explain what this podcast will be all about.