The UltraSwimming Podcast

Episode 7: Jess’s Sharky Florida Gulf Swim for Manatees

Every ultraswimmer knows there are sharks in the ocean, but what happens when one makes a cameo during a 24+ hour swim attempt? Co-hosts Evan Morrison and Jessica Kieras do a deep dive into Jessica’s recent swim along Florida’s Gulf Coast. We discuss self-organized swims as a way of customizing one’s form of challenge, what it’s like to have a route with no fixed finish point, and the importance of transparency while fundraising for Save the Manatee Club. Jessica explains the connection between manatees’ role in the ecosystem and her approach to swimming long distances. We cover why the swim ended early, what it was like responding to an unexpected visit from a toothy friend at the stern of the boat, and what swimmers can consider in terms of safety planning for wildlife encounters. Music is 'Wanderlust' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Episode 6: Leslie Hamilton: Staten Island and Lake Norman

In 2023, Leslie Hamilton became the first woman to swim around Staten Island, and in 2025 completed an unprecedented crossing of the 26.3 mile length of Lake Norman. She likes to tackle swims that make her feel “a little crazy”, ventures off the beaten path, has nothing to prove and everything to love about this sport. Internally driven by a passionate sense of adventure and insatiably hunger for challenge, we discussed growing up within New York Open Water, how she chooses her swims (spoiler alert, they aren’t on a list), swimming sans-top around Staten Island, and the challenges of swimming long distances in warm water. 00:00 Introducing Leslie Hamilton 02:03 Growing up in NYOW 05:10 Planning the Staten Island Swim 08:16 Media Attention and the New Yorker Article 14:37 Swimming in Potentially Polluted Waters 19:30 What Makes an Adventure in Ultraswimming 22:59 You Can't Repeat the Same Swim Twice 24:52 Envisioning the Lake Norman Swim 26:51 The 24-Hour Swim Goal 29:36 Measuring Routes in the MSF Member Portal 33:44 Building a Supportive Crew 35:41 The Boat Rental Process 37:44 Night Swimming 41:04 Overheating While Swimming 48:59 Knowing When to End a Swim Leslie Hamilton on LongSwims Database https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/leslie-hamilton Music: 'Wanderlust' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Additional Reading https://www.harpercollins.com/products/endure-alex-hutchinson Additional Listening: The Central Governor Theory on Trail Runner Nation Part 1 https://trailrunnernation.com/2021/10/wrapping-our-brain-around-the-central-governor-theory-part-1/ The Central Governor Theory on Trail Runner Nation Part 2 https://trailrunnernation.com/2021/10/ep-544-wrapping-our-brain-around-the-central-governor-theory-part-2/

Episode 5: Swimming the California Channel Islands with Karina Garcia

Episode 5: California Channel Islands with Karina Garcia Most ultraswimmers have heard of swimming from Catalina Island to the mainland, but what about the other seven islands that make up the California Channel Islands? These islands offer startlingly clear water, dramatic rocky cliffs, an iconic arch, and frequent visits from resident dolphins. Routes have been charted across the channel, around the islands, between the islands and more. What is it like to swim here? Find out as Karina Garcia shares her recent course record swim from Santa Rosa to the mainland along with Evan and Jessica’s reflections on their own swims from Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara Islands. If you’re wondering how you might swim any of the California Channel Islands, we discuss how the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association supports swimmers in safely achieving these goals. Evan and Karina draw on their experiences as former and current SBCSA board members to illustrate how the association helps swimmers organize, execute and celebrate swims involving these beautiful and remote islands. Music: 'Wanderlust' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au **References** - [Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association](https://santabarbarachannelswim.org) - [California Channel Islands solo swim results](https://ultraswimming.org/database/events/california-channel-islands) (LongSwims Database) - [Karina Garcia swim resume](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/karina-garcia) (LongSwims Database) - [DRIVEN](https://driven.vhx.tv) - documentary film about three Channel Islands marathon swims in 2012

Episode 4: Training for Ultra Marathon Swims

Episode 4: Training with Charlotte Brynn, Joe Zemaitis & Sidney Russell So what’s the best way to train for an ultraswim? In this episode we welcome [Charlotte Brynn](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/charlotte-brynn), [Joe Zemaitis](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/joe-zemaitis) and [Sidney Russell](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/sidney-russell), renowned ultraswimmers who are also experienced coaches to get their take on the perennial question of how to best prepare yourself for an endurance adventure as dynamic, unpredictable and complex as an ultraswim. Our discussion covers four components of training for ultraswims: * safe and efficient technique * building endurance * acclimatizing * mental fortitude While “everyone is different” (as we have grown increasingly fond of saying), we identify some key pieces of wisdom to share with you as you consider how to design and structure your training and preparation. Music: 'Wanderlust' by [Scott Buckley](https://www.scottbuckley.com.au) \- released under CC-BY 4.0. A few references from the episode: * Charlotte Brynn, [swimwithbrynn.com](https://www.swimwithbrynn.com/) * Sidney Russell, [swimopenwaters.com](http://swimopenwaters.com) * Joe Zemaitis, [Swim Neptune](https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/assn/page/custom-page) * Marathon Swimmers Forum thread, [Training Plans for Marathon Swims 10k and Up](https://ultraswimming.org/forum/discussion/1811/training-plans-for-marathon-swims-10k-and-up) * [Training for a Marathon Swim](https://ultraswimming.org/news/2015/01/training-for-a-marathon-swim) by Evan Morrison * Science of Ultra Podcast Episodes - [Mileage Matters Most](https://www.scienceofultra.com/podcasts/136) - [Training Intensity Distribution](https://www.scienceofultra.com/podcasts/148) * Addie Bracy’s book, [Mental Training for Ultrarunning](https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/mental-training-for-ultrarunning_addie-j-bracy/27038138/#edition=57821861&idiq=45515125)

Episode 3: Ultraswimming.org and the new MSF Member Portal

In this mini-episode, Jessica and Evan dive into a major new MSF project that’s just been launched: - Our new website, ultraswimming.org which combines resources which were previously under three separate websites (marathonswimmers.org, longswims.com, and track.rs). - Our new Member Portal app, in which MSF members can submit Documented Swims for ratification, set up GPS tracking pages, vote in the MSF Awards, and get online support for any issues or questions they may have. This promises to create a more streamlined experience for MSF members, less manual labor for MSF administrators, and new opportunities for people to get involved in various aspects of the MSF project.