For the Love of Swimming

14. Fiona Claxton - Marlins & The Pier 2 Pier

Join Sandy Ciccognani as she dives into the vibrant world of swimming on the Isle of Wight. 
Meet Fiona Claxton, a dedicated member of the Marlin Swim Club, who shares her transition from pool swimming to embracing the open sea. Discover the joys and challenges of sea swimming, including Fiona's experiences with different swimming spots and coping with the elements.
Learn about the iconic pier-to-pier swim event, its rich history, and the dedicated community that keeps it thriving. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just starting, this episode celebrates the unity and passion of the Isle of Wight's swimming community.

13. Patrick Yates - For the Love of Community & Open Waters

Experience a delightful dive into the sparkling waters around the Isle of Wight as host Sandy Ciccognani shares the microphone with guest, Patrick Yates, a fellow swimmer with a captivating life story, in a podcast episode aptly titled "For the Love of Community & Open Waters". This episode is a tribute to the vibrant swimming community, the remarkable aquatic adventures that the world offers, and a chronicle of a swimmer's extraordinary journey of self-discovery and resilience.
Guest Patrick Yates describes his journey from a novice recreational swimmer to a marine adventurer fascinated by sharks and whales. Despite his global adventures, the allure of Isle of Wight remains irresistible to Patrick.
Gain insights into another Island figure in the world of open water swimming as we delve into the inspiring story behind "Dip and Sip", a growing community group devoted to sea swimming. This episode also takes a dive into the story of its founder, who triumphed over mental and physical challenges to create a group that has now positively impacted the lives of many. Venturing into the cold waters, these swimmers find physical and mental rejuvenation, and a connection with nature and each other. The establishment of Dip n Sip and its rapid popularity showcases the power of community and shared passion.
The episode also highlights the charm and impact of organic meetups like Dip n Sip. With the aim to foster a sense of community, this get-together encourages attendees to push their boundaries and fosters strong relationships. The focus lies not just on swimming, but the adventure of breaking personal barriers in a supportive environment. The conversation finally strays into the organizer's personal journey, depicting his resilience and love for swimming.
Join us in this inspiring and fascinating episode that explores the world of swimming and community initiatives promoting positive mental and physical health in the beautiful backdrop of Isle of Wight.

12. Lottie James - Journey from Competitive Swimmer to Inspiring Coach

Welcome to this episode of our podcast diving into the fascinating swimming community on the Isle of Wight. We talk to Charlotte 'Lottie' James who shares her journey from being a competitive swimmer to a motivational coach. Tune in as Lottie recounts her inspiring aquatic journey that held its inception in therapy and eventually led her to a scholarship at Bournemouth.
Learn about Lottie’s transition into coaching, a domain where she uses her experiences to inspire others. Discover why, despite moving away from competitive swimming, her love for the sport remains untouched. Now, she dedicates herself to helping others swim and uncover its therapeutic benefits, emphasizing the importance of hydration and nutrition for swimmers.
Lottie also shares her deep-seated interest in other forms of fitness and how she achieves balance. While she reminisces the intensity of her competitive swimming days, she rejoices in the opportunity to facilitate others' journeys in the swimming community.
In this episode, our guest provides a deep dive into the world of swimming, weaving stories of her achievements, her fears, and her ever-growing love for the sport. She narrates her unexpected transition from pool to sea swimming, detailing her initial apprehension and the gradual immersion that made her embrace open water swimming.
Find out about her aspirations to participate in the Solent swim again, her plans to dedicate more time to coaching and masters' competitions, and her unwavering resolution to help others realize their swimming ambitions. The episode wraps up with a personal insight into her life at the beach, her renewed joy in open water swimming, and her favourite swim spots on the island.
A cherished part of the swimming community, Lottie's story serves as a beacon of inspiration, underscoring the joy and therapeutic implications of swimming. Her love for the sport and her dedication to helping others excel is bound to motivate listeners to face their fears, accept challenges, and find new ways to relish the sport of swimming.

11. Summer Tucker - From Therapy to Adventure

Welcome to "For the Love of Swimming," a podcast that celebrates the wonderfully diverse community of swimmers and fantastic swimming opportunities that exist on the Isle of Wight, just off the south coast of England. Join Sandy Ciccognani, the founder of Outdoor Swimming Isle of Wight and a pool of highly passionate swimmers. Embark on an amazing swimming journey, meeting some wonderful people while basking in the enchanting nature of outdoor swimming.
In this episode, we welcome Summer Tucker, a young woman whose life has closely been intertwined with swimming. From overcoming personal loss through surf therapy to becoming a lifeguard and swimming instructor, Summer's journey is a heartwarming tale of resilience, love for water sports, and making a difference in the community. As a part of the episode, we explore her experiences as a surf instructing lifeguard, her work in coasteering, and her plans for further adventures in Dubai!
Whether you are an avid swimmer, a beach lover, or simply someone who appreciates inspiring personal journeys, this episode with Summer Tucker is sure to leave you stirred and more in love with swimming.
 
iSurf
https://www.iowsurf.com/
 

10. Kim Holmes - Competing & Coaching Gives me a Focus

Welcome to a short podcast episode featuring Kim Holmes, competive swimmer and coach at Ryde Swimming Club.
Kim candidly discusses her swimming habits, from the early training days of her childhood to her unabated passion for swimming into adulthood. She takes you on a journey through her competitive experiences, her love for team spirit, and her unique take on the essence of swimming competitions. 
Dive into the significance of relaxation and travel as Kim talks about her conscious efforts to unwind and socialise beyond the competition. The episode culminates with an encouraging note to young swimmers to embrace the sport at their own pace, emphasizing the transformational impact of swimming on physical and mental wellbeing.
Embark on this journey of passion, endurance, and camaraderie, painting a vivid picture of the swimming community on the Isle of Wight. This episode is a delightful treat for seasoned swimmers, those contemplating a plunge into the water, and anyone who appreciates inspiring personal narratives.
Subscribe to this podcast for more intriguing stories from a community that thrives on their shared love for swimming.

9. Marion Heming - Brave Steps back to the pool

Marion has a lifelong passion for swimming that started in the sea in Finland. She talks here about plunging into the Antarctic sea; early morning dedication to swim training;  qualifying as a lifeguard and being part of the Kingfishers special needs swimmming group that ran for many years on the Isle of WIght.
She has always been drawn to the water wherever she goes and was devastated when she thought she would no longer be able to swim because of serious spinal problems. In this episode, Marion talks about the great improvements she has made, by attending the Special Care Swimming Session at West Wight Sports Centre.
...Listen out for the cuckoo clocks!
 
 

8. Lindsey Shenton - Outdoor Enthusiast

Lindsey Shenton is an experienced PE teacher and sports coach. She was one of the first Swim Trek Coaches.
Now, as she approaches retirement, she is as adventurous and enthusiastic about the outdoors, as ever.

7. Anne Barlow - I can do this!

Anne talks about life with a beach hut and how she has learnt to love cold water swimming.

6. Fran Holdsworth - Shark Bait

Fran Holdsworth is a regular sea swimmer at Freshwater Bay where she lives in the summer months. 
There is distortion from the wind and waves, but hopefully you will be able to hear Fran well enough to hear the enthusiasm she has for swimming and life in general.
 
 

5. Melanie Griffiths - Movement Junkie

Melanie Griffiths is a Movement Maven, Cancer Thriver, Life Adventurer + Integrity Enthusiast. She has spent the better part of 50 years engaged in and exploring movement and healing. After holistically self-healing from Cancer her passion became sharing the importance of taking charge of your own health and wellbeing. She set up Movement Junkie to share her gifts to support and guide people in becoming the best person they can be, living the best life they can live. She does this through fun and laid-back Dance and Fitness, caring and supportive Clairvoyant Energy and Healing and Meditation sessions. She is always striving to become a better person in her own right and get the most out of life. She lives on the Isle of Wight with her partner and two rescue dogs and can usually be found moving her body in some way!
For Dance / Movement: FB: http://www.facebook.com/movementjunkie
Insta: @movementmelanie
LinkedIn: Melanie Griffiths
Web: http://www.movementjunkie.co.uk
For just Healing Work:
FB: http://www.facebook.com/healingwithmelanie