This episode celebrates Jane Asher - an extraordinary swimmer who, at age 95, is still breaking records in Masters swimming competitions. Jane, who swam as a young person, only returned to competitive swimming in her 50’s and now holds over 100 world records. She particularly dominates in frontcrawl, backcrawl and the individual medley - which is all four strokes! This year, as she reaches the age of 95, she moves into a new age group, so is starting on her mission to break or set records in the 95-99 age group. She has also completed a number of open water swims including the Hellespont from Europe to Asia.

Described by a fellow swimmer and competition host as “The true definition of an ELITE swimmer” * she has inspired many swimmers. She has heaps of awards and has been a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame since 2006 as well as being awarded a British Empire Medal in 2018. Last year she entered the Swim England Hall of Fame too. As well as swimming and breaking world records she also coached and taught swimming. Although not strictly an open water swimmer, she is a truly inspiring person with many great swimming stories to share.

*From Ian Woollard, Barnet Copthall SC

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This special edition of the SwimOut podcast pays tribute to Captain Matthew Webb who, in 1875, made history as the first person to swim the English Channel. Our dramatisation brings his story to life: A village lad who ran away to sea, saw the world and was inspired to make the impossible happen.

The story recounts the many challenges he had to overcome - from shifting tides to jellyfish. It details what kept him going during his gruelling feat of valour, from beef tea to brandy and more importantly, his friends and family onboard the support vessel. His motto “ Nothing great is easy” is testament to his grit, endurance and bravado. Join us on this heroic swim to France, with Captain Webb, The Channel Conqueror.

Find out more: ⁠@swimoutpodcast ⁠or ⁠⁠swimout.net⁠

Vicki facilitates a conversation between experts and swimmers planning to do the swim. Expert Kevin Murphy is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest open water swimmers. He has 28 solo Channel swims and three doubles to his credit. He has also swum the North Channel three times and is known as King of both the English and North Channels. Also with bags of expertise is Kathy Batts who has completed many relay crossings of the English Channel and a solo, as well as many other swims across the globe. She and Kevin also look after the paperwork for a large number of the Channel swims and lead the The King’s Swimmers which runs swim camps and regular training in Dover. Our aspiring swimmers are Bryony Rowe who swam as child then took up triathlons and now has refound her love of sea swimming, and Christophe Donot who loves to swim and make ceramics and as a French man is keen to swim to France, although London is now very much his home.

Find out more: ⁠@swimoutpodcast ⁠or ⁠⁠swimout.net⁠

⁠@ The King Swimmers⁠

@christophe_ceramics

@Bryony.eve.swims