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Hey legends, welcome back to The Clever Dicks Open Water Podcast — where we dive deep into the minds of swimmers, coaches, and salty sea legends from around the world.

Today, we’ve got an absolute ripper of a guest. She’s fast, she’s fierce, and she knows her stuff — it’s the amazing Merle Maud! Merle’s not just your average lane cruiser — she’s a certified Swim Smooth Coach, a seasoned Ironman athlete, and a passionate marathon swimmer who’s helping Aucklanders of all stripes find their stroke, build confidence, and push limits. You might know her from Swim Smooth Auckland, where she’s turning spaghetti arms into streamlined torpedoes every day.

We’re chatting race prep, mindset, marathon swims, and how to balance coaching, training, and maybe even having a life outside the water — if that’s allowed.

Buckle in and enjoy the chat with Merle Maud.

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Shannon House Keegan is an American marathon swimmer whose open water accomplishments stretch across many different bodies of water. From the mighty SCAR Challenge, to Lake Memphremagog to Lake George, Shannon has swum through some iconic and challenging waters. And when she’s not swimming, she’s talking – as the host of Intrepid Waters, a podcast where she explores the mental, physical, and emotional depths of open water swimming with fellow aquatic adventurers.

With a heart for storytelling, and a deep love for the open water, Shannon brings a thoughtful and inspiring voice to the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer, a weekend dipper, or just curious about what drives someone to swim for hours on end in wild places, this episode is for you.

So grab a towel, tune in, and let’s wade into the intrepid waters of Shannon House Keegan.

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In this episode we dive into the life of Peter Gibbs—a spirited adventurer from Nelson, New Zealand. Peter's journey from triathlon to the open waters of Abel Tasman National Park showcases his enduring passion for endurance sports. As a seasoned writer, he shares tales of his aquatic escapades and the vibrant community that surrounds them. Join us as we explore Peter's stories of resilience, camaraderie, and the call of the sea.

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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.

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Today 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.

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Today 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.

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Welcome 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!

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In 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.