Sheswimsheswims podcast

Does social media help or hinder motivation

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:10:28 GMT

Ian remains consistent in his pool and sea training but took on an art class this week as something different.

Dee managed to get a very small swim in off the Cliffs of Moher and it feels more exciting than a big channel swim.

We planned to speak about motivation but ended up talking about it really in the context of social media and the positives and negatives that go with it.

Congratulations to Brian Foster who became the first to complete the Irish triple crown with swims all completed as multiples with his double North Channel, triple Fastnet and double Galway Bay.

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Finding new swim spots

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:52:36 GMT

Ian and Dee discuss the turn of the season and what this means to what you pack in your swim bag and Ian’s thought process on moving from skins to wetsuit for colder temps.

They catch up on Daragh’s progress on Swimeire, share stories from recent swims, and tackle some common questions…

Can swimmers who learned as adults ever compete with childhood swimmers?

How do you find new swim spots?

They both realise they love a sparking night swim.

Music by Enda Gallery

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Annette Cullen and all things ILDSA

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:58:07 GMT

This week we are joined by Annette Cullen, ILDSA (Irish long distance swimming association) board member.

She is no stranger to marathon swimming herself having completed a few relays and solos as well as crewing a number of people through challenging swims.

We catch up on what got Annette swimming, where it brought her and then we discuss the ILDSA recording and historical record of swims in Ireland.

The ILDSA is a volunteer led association with 7 board members that is made up of imdividuals from within the community who are truly passionate about this sport. There is also a working group of 7 people who support the ratifying process and creating of social media contents.

More info can be found here

https://www.ildsa.info

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Mass start mayhem and minding yourself

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:59:08 GMT

The weekly round up included the last Heskin league swim which has a twist, a mass start and the handicaps are only published once swimmers have set off.

Spoiler alert… Ian came second male skin.

With the seasons changing and routines changing, Dee and Ian talk about their top 5 things they consider important to keep them well and ready to swim.

It’s clear neither are vegetarians with both wondering what is quorn… google tells us “Created in 1983, Quorn is the trademarked name given to a meat substitute called mycoprotein. This plant-based protein is derived from a natural microfungus called Fusarium Venenatum.”

Thanks to Enda Gallery for the music

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Oonagh’s Fastnet rock experience

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:23:24 GMT

This week Dee and Ian are joined by Oonagh Morrissy as she fills us in on her Fastnet rock swim experience over the past two years.

Ian has had the fastest time for a heskin league swim for the first time in a while and Dee competed her first heskin swim in an even longer while.

Contact us on @sheswimsheswims instagram or sheswimsheswims@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like our take on a particular topic.

Thanks to Enda Gallery for the music

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Big picture plans in the pool and sea

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:34:38 GMT

Ian and Dee give a bit of detail around how they plan the year as a coach and as a swimmer.

Ian was racing again this time the kingfisher prom swim James Brennan matching his record of having his name on the bullet three times, the bullet is the prize for fastest time in this swim.

Dee had a quick turn around on a visit to west cork to crew for Oonagh Morrissey who had an eventful but very much a successful swim to fastnet rock.

Big celebrations in Galway this week also as John Shortt is front page news, arriving home from the world junior swimming championships in Romania with two gold medals and a bronze, making him only the second Irish swimmer to be a world junior champion and we are exceptionally proud of him.

Thanks to Enda Gallery for the music

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Swimmer science

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:15:17 GMT

This week we celebrate Ian coming second in the langan prom swim and the usual catch up.

We have had the first guest of this season, big thanks to Rick Officer for speaking to us this week.

Dr Rick Officer is Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Institute with extensive experience in sustainable fisheries, we spoke to him about jellyfish and water temps in the local waters of Galway bay.

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Swim smarter… sight straighter… finish strong

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 22:00:37 GMT

Dees injury continues to dominate the conversation, but hopefully that’s coming to an end now that she’s introduced oxygeneration to the recovery programme.

Ian gave a few tips on how to train for speed on shorter open water swims and we have yet to see how his own advice might help his own performance.

music as always by Enda Gallery

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Taper to nationals, north channel window and false bay chats

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:48:07 GMT

Dee and Ian catch up on a few busy weeks which saw Ian spend 5 days poolside at the NAC for nationals with bluefin SC, both supported the Galway bay swim finish and Dee tried not to wonder how her NC window might have been had she not taken a notion for hill running and broken her leg.

When Dee says decent respectable times about this NC window it’s important to point out that she means that as a time she would like for herself and a time she thinks she could manage, aware that her previous longest swim to date is just under 15 hrs and her last effort on the north channel was around the 14 hr mark.

Dee also mentioned a temp of 13 for False Bay towards the end of the episode when her swim temp was 18 and she is not yet so good a producer that she can edit that out.

As always thank you for listening and send any questions or comments to sheswimsheswims@gmail.com

instagram @sheswimsheswims

Thanks as always to Enda Gallery for the music

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A dive into the Galway bay swim

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 18:31:37 GMT

Dee and Ian have a catch up on all things swimming since last week.

Ian has been busy coaching Bluefin SC to nationals while Dee has been adapting to life as a swim observer with a busy weekend of solo Galway bay swims and the Atlantic Masters Swim Ireland Renville swim for RNLI and Oranmore Maree Coastal Search and Rescue unit.

Both Dee and Ian have taken part in the Frances Thornton Galway Bay swim for Cancer Care West and share their experiences and some tips for any first timers. Both will be supporting the swimmers at the finish for the 20th anniversary of this swim.

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And we’re back

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:48:29 GMT

It’s drifted into a few years since season one so there is a lot to catch up on.

It’s the 19th anniversary of Ian’s round Ireland relay and Dee’s season has been unexpectedly cut short.

Delighted to be back together for all of the swim chats.

music by Enda Gallery

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60m under ice in Finland

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 17:51:55 GMT

This week we are joined by Claire Ryan @under5degrees, “Ireland’s coldest free diver” and most extreme ice miler.

She tells us how she went from being a social dipper only getting into swimming 7 years ago to the extreme swimmer she is today.

We talk a little bit about the endorphin rush she gets from cold water and how there is a place for everyone in swimming and it is safe to say Claire has absolutely found hers!

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

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A little bit of everything

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 21:32:58 GMT

This week Dee and Ian catch uP on how their training is going, and how Ians squad are recovering after a heavy week of racing at nationals.

Ian even gives away the secrets of success with a team who train in a 20m Pool and Dee proves that she doesn’t always go to the sea prepared or even go with what her training plan has called for.

Grab a cup of something put your feet up and listen in on the chats.

If you want to get involved send us and questions or suggestions to

sheswimsheswims@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @sheswimsheswims

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan wallace

Fri, 26 May 2023 07:54:11 GMT

Today we are joined by Dan Wallace. Dan tells us all about his route from starting swimming at a small swim club with no early mornings in Scotland to winning an Olympic silver medal.

We talk about the highs and lows which came with that process, after retiring at 24 he has come back to swimming in a different light. 6 years later Dan is the driving force of an English Channel relay team, swimming in cold water and he has even competed in winter swimming alongside daily dips in the cold waters of Scotland.

Follow Dan’s swim adventures @danwallace93 on Instagram and YouTube

Send us and questions or suggestions to

sheswimsheswims@gmail.com

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learning from coaching

Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:45 GMT

Dee and Ian have a catch up on their training, Dee is 4 months out from the North Channel and Ian is pushing out what he is doing in the sea ahead of Galway bay.

The swimmers we coach have been to nationals and all have had PB's in their events. Seeing their success is keeping both of us motivated.

Drills we like & drills we use.

How do you turn with a snorkel in?

sheswimsheswims@gmail.com

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it really 80% mental?

Fri, 12 May 2023 19:17:33 GMT

Jim Townhill talks to Dee and Ian about his introduction to meditation, how it has helped his training and how he has shared his experience with other athletes.

Jim's email - info@hanzechiropractie.nl

www.hanzechiropractie.nl

sheswimsheswims@gmail.com

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making Plans

Fri, 05 May 2023 14:16:23 GMT

In this Episode Ian and Dee talk about their preparation for Galway Bay swim and North Channel.

How they came to the point of wanting to do these swims and what they need to work on.

Training by hours not by distance and chasing speed.

Names dropped - Joe Kennelly - instagram @_hightide_galway

sheswimsheswims@gmail.com

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who are we?

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 12:18:18 GMT

This is the first episode of Sheswimsheswims, it is an introduction to hosts Dee and Ian their swimming backgrounds and their plans for the future.

sheswimsheswims@gmail.com

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She Swims He Swims Trailer

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 14:13:28 GMT

She is Dee Newell, He is Ian Claxton, they are swimmers and swim coaches both in open water and in the pool. In this podcast they will have conversations about their own training as well as with some guests about all things water related.

Email any questions, thoughts or comments to sheswimsheswims@gmail.com

And watch us on you tube @sheswimsheswims

Music by Enda Gallery

Production by Sound to Light Studios

Producer : Paul Swaine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.