Behind The Goggles

Aaron is a pool and open water swimmer based in Melbourne. In this podcast we chat about his overall swimming experiences and transition from pool to open water events. We discuss the potential of a swim app - an online resource for Australian coastal beaches and ocean pools. Particularly referencing local knowledge and local swimmers. Give him a buzz via me.. if you're interested to support this project!

Liv Wawryk had swim experience as a junior in squad swimming and Water polo, after a few years break she decided, well covid pool closures decide ... to swim in the Open water at Elwood. Going from strength to strength, despite a serious break in her arm - keeping her out action for a few months - Liv decided to attempt The RIP event, co-ordinated by Grant Siedle. Challenge accepted... off she went to blitz that event! Little did we know ... her next challenge was .. The Ice Mile.

I met Paul Gildea when he - surprisingly - joined the womens swimming group the Seagals in Elwood. Now he's a great part of the community and a bone fide SeaPal! During this conversation Paul discusses his career as a Musician, Music manager, educator and Producer. As well as talking about his swimming heritage and squad training in his youth. I never thought I'd be swimming along side a member of the Aria Hall of Fame, yet here we are!

Jacqui was born in NZ and learned to swim when her Mum took her to swim school, not long after her Mother was also learning to swim. So learning to swim as an adult has always seemed like thing people do! Inspired by learning of others fear of water, and trauma as well as the increase in drowning rates in Australia Jacqui has focused on coaching adults to be confident and enjoy being in water with her Swim Project swimming program.

Welcome back to Behind The Goggles Podcast! Angela Dressler has created a fabulous group that assists local swimmers to find a bayside swim buddy. Angela and her friends Penny and Mary set up the Seagals at the end of 2019; never realising the value it would have during the Covid lockdowns in Melbourne.

Luke Richards Podcast Trigger warning: mental health & suicide Luke Richards opens up about his battles with mental health and how he has found a community in swimming and sharing his story of recovery. Luke is also working as an ambassador for Movember, so you can support his 7km swims EVERY day.. by donating here: https://au.movember.com/mospace/13983043

Australians may be more familiar with Steve Kilbey as the enigmatic singer and songwriter from the Classic rock band The Church. However, Steve is absolutely passionate about swimming - especially in the ocean pools of Sydney. It was great to chat with Steve on his home turf at Wylie Baths. He loves the fish in the pools and talks of his shift from addiction to Heroin to his addiction to cold winter swims in the Ocean.

Celia remembers visiting Prahran Pool as a teenager and thinking it was just the coolest! As a lifelong swimmer, Celia has made a Prahran pool community a second home for herself, her husband and children. Due to this passion, Celia and Michael Hirsh are working hard to campaign for the winter hours at Prahran Pool to be extended so everyone can swim here during the winter. If you'd like to help, sign their petition -https://www.change.org/p/stonnington-city-council-open-our-pool as well as signing up for their Social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram #openourpool

Stella Bell is a cheerful member of the Prahran Pool community. She not only enjoys swimming, but also cooking, hiking, computers and even watching Mountain biking!

This episode I chat with H2O squad swimmer Di Pausewang. We discuss her swimming life and the benefits of swimming.

You may recognise Tim's voice on this podcast as he is an award winning Sports Broadcaster and Journalist. A long time swimmer at Prahran Pool, I first connected with Tim over our shared joy/heartache with Carlton Football Club. In this episode we chat about Tim's transition from running to becoming a pool swimmer and his subsequent quest for swimming improvement. Tim also discusses his recent travels to South America which sound amazing.

Originally from New Zealand, Denise now calls Melbourne home and is a passionate swimmer. After a health scare which required her to have a Craniotomy to treat multiple meningiomas (brain tumours), Denise found herself swimming for hours at Prahran pool. 5 years on.. Denise is a veteran of 2 Rottnest Island swims, NZ open waters swims (with Orca in tow)and the English Channel. Denise's optimistic nature holds her in good stead as she has dealt with her fair share of swimming disappointments including the non landing of her latest Channel attempt.

Listen to Grant Siedle talk about his swim coaching career as well as his passion for Open Water swimming. Grant has established some fantastic open water swimming events in Melbournes' Port Phillip Bay, including a Winter Solstice Swim - in the dark! We also discuss his Channel crossing attempt and his successful coaching of the oldest Australian swimmer to complete the swim.

Dianne swims at Prahran Pool every morning before heading off to work for Stonnington Libraries. Dianne talks about why she started swimming and also discusses her career as a Librarian. The role of libraries in our community has changed so much, Dianne offers a great insight in their renewed and vibrant life.

A well known swimming coach at Prahran Pool and Harold Holt pool, Jennie Bucknell speaks of her career in the pool including a highlight in 2012. At age 45 Jennie qualified to line up against Australia's elite swimmers and swim to qualify for a place in the London Olympic team. Although she didn't make the team, it's such an outstanding achievement to even get into the pool and compete at this level. Especially since some of the other swimmers were as young as 15!

If you are local to Chapel Street, or ever visited in the past 38 years you may recognize Tim from La Luciolla the family restaurant he still runs. Tim has been a huge sports fan since school and in the past few years has ramped up his dedication to fitness by training for Triathlons and Iron Man competitions. He loves Prahran pool and currently trains with Momentum Endurance Coaching. Listen in as he talks about the journey at 50 to achieve his goals and the changes to Chapel Street over the years.

Scott Denison is not only a lifeguard at the Prahran Pool he is the catalyst for this Podcast series! Scott has worked in the ragtrade throughout his career, including Sales Manager for Lacoste shirts in the 80s. He ran a successful chain of retail boutiques and is now working on his online customised shirt business. Great listening for anyone who needs motivation on work ethic.

...after swimming and struggling for 3 and half hours in the cold dark waters of Western Port Bay, Susan finally found help 3 km from where she landed on French Island. .... This tragic story has turned around to become the challenge of lifetime as Susan prepares to swim as part of four person relay team across the English channel.

This episode I chat with Katie McKevitt. Katie qualified as a Lawyer then after trips to France and USA she decided that the Law was not her path to a happy life. Listen to this bubbly New Zealander as we talk about her active life in health and fitness.

In Episode 3, Aaron discusses his career in Sport. He went from a young member of the Australian National swimming team to coaching at Newcastle University. He has worked in various sports administration role and is now with Gymnastics Victoria. Aaron is such a quiet and unassuming guy, you'd never realise his fantastic achievements in sport.