Conversations, stories, and ideas from the world of solo long distance open water swimming. With Jessica Kieras and Evan Morrison.
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The Tsugaru Strait, which separates the Sea of Japan from the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most challenging swims in the Oceans Seven. Some years, only the very fastest swimmers can beat the currents, while in other years, mere mortals can pass through. Few achieve success in this channel without a fight. In 1990, Steven Munatones became the second person to cross the strait and the first to cross in both directions. Thirty-six years later, he still holds both speed records and has helped countless other swimmers across. In this interview, we learn what to consider if you’re thinking of attemp
Steven Munatones has been a force in the sport of Open Water Swimming for nearly 50 years, as a competitive racer, a pioneering solo swimmer, and creator of Oceans Seven, WOWSA, the Daily News of Open Water Swimming, and Openwaterpedia. In Part 1 of our interview with Steven, we discuss the origins and throughline of his Daily News of OWS and Openwaterpedia projects: the push to include Open Water Swimming in the Olympic Games. These projects were the first attempts to systematically compile information about the emerging sport of Open Water Swimming on the internet. We also discuss the conseq
Episode 8: Discerning Discomfort from Danger, with Courtney Paulk, First to Complete Double Triple Crown How can you tell if the discomfort you are feeling is something to ignore and push through, versus important information signaling danger? When is the right time to end a swim, even if you haven’t yet achieved your goal? And how do you cope with the disappointment that goes with emotionally investing in a dream that isn’t realized on the first attempt? In this episode, we discuss how Courtney Moates Paulk has cultivated the ability to discern discomfort from danger over the course of the ma
Every ultraswimmer knows there are sharks in the ocean, but what happens when one makes a cameo during a 24+ hour swim attempt? Co-hosts Evan Morrison and Jessica Kieras do a deep dive into Jessica’s recent swim along Florida’s Gulf Coast. We discuss self-organized swims as a way of customizing one’s form of challenge, what it’s like to have a route with no fixed finish point, and the importance of transparency while fundraising for Save the Manatee Club. Jessica explains the connection between manatees’ role in the ecosystem and her approach to swimming long distances. We cover why the swim e
In 2023, Leslie Hamilton became the first woman to swim around Staten Island, and in 2025 completed an unprecedented crossing of the 26.3 mile length of Lake Norman. She likes to tackle swims that make her feel “a little crazy”, ventures off the beaten path, has nothing to prove and everything to love about this sport. Internally driven by a passionate sense of adventure and insatiably hunger for challenge, we discussed growing up within New York Open Water, how she chooses her swims (spoiler alert, they aren’t on a list), swimming sans-top around Staten Island, and the challenges of swimming
Episode 5: California Channel Islands with Karina Garcia Most ultraswimmers have heard of swimming from Catalina Island to the mainland, but what about the other seven islands that make up the California Channel Islands? These islands offer startlingly clear water, dramatic rocky cliffs, an iconic arch, and frequent visits from resident dolphins. Routes have been charted across the channel, around the islands, between the islands and more. What is it like to swim here? Find out as Karina Garcia shares her recent course record swim from Santa Rosa to the mainland along with Evan and Jessica’s r
Episode 4: Training with Charlotte Brynn, Joe Zemaitis & Sidney Russell So what’s the best way to train for an ultraswim? In this episode we welcome [Charlotte Brynn](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/charlotte-brynn), [Joe Zemaitis](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/joe-zemaitis) and [Sidney Russell](https://ultraswimming.org/database/p/sidney-russell), renowned ultraswimmers who are also experienced coaches to get their take on the perennial question of how to best prepare yourself for an endurance adventure as dynamic, unpredictable and complex as an ultraswim. Our discussion covers f
In this mini-episode, Jessica and Evan dive into a major new MSF project that’s just been launched: - Our new website, ultraswimming.org which combines resources which were previously under three separate websites (marathonswimmers.org, longswims.com, and track.rs). - Our new Member Portal app, in which MSF members can submit Documented Swims for ratification, set up GPS tracking pages, vote in the MSF Awards, and get online support for any issues or questions they may have. This promises to create a more streamlined experience for MSF members, less manual labor for MSF administrators, and new
Some links to resources that were mentioned during the episode: MSF Documented Swims program (2014 – present), Marathon Swimmers Federation Repeatable Swim Routes, by Evan Morrison MSF documentation of Sarah Thomas’ Lake Champlain swim MSF documentation of Jessica Kieras’ Waldo Lake swim Link to episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1clFSao74XyWPBAaiNo7U3?si=6edf9581296a476b Link to episode on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-episode-1-karen-zemlin-lake-superior/id1845817729?i=1000731576760 Link to show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4wovM
Recorded September 27, 2025. In this episode we discuss how Karen Zemlin envisioned, planned and completed a new 22.9 km (14.2 mile) route on Lake Superior, from Isle Royale, Michigan to Pigeon Point, Minnesota in 6 hours and 12 minutes on August 13, 2025. We talk about how this route differs from the already established east and west routes and what makes it an excellent addition to the options for ultraswims in the world’s largest lake. Karen shared with us how the unique geography of the lake contributed to an upwelling as she swam toward shore, resulting in a twenty degree temperature drop
A few links to projects mentioned in the episode: Marathon Swimmers Federation (MSF): marathonswimmers.org Long Swims Database profiles: – Jessica Kieras – Evan Morrison MSF Documented Swims: https://marathonswimmers.org/swims/ MSF News Blog: https://news.marathonswimmers.org/ Link to episode on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-0-introductions/id1845817729?i=1000731656919 Link to episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sl7wwUeExB1wNE7NDm4V5 Link to show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ultraswimming-podcast/id1845817729 Lin
