Tell us a little bit about your swimming experience, have you always been an open water swimmer, OR did you start in the pool and moved over to the open water?

When I was a child, I was petrified of water to the point that my mum had to wash my hair over the kitchen sink until I was about 8-years-old!  She then enrolled me in swimming lessons with a very patient teacher who worked with me to push past my fear and build confidence in the water.

I grew up in a small country town and the nearest beach was over two hours away so outside of the local pool, the only other water that was available for me to splash around in was a few local yabby-filled dams!

When my daughter started Nippers, I decided to do my Bronze Medallion to become more involved in the local Lifesaving Club.  Through the club I met Ross Quail (a Double-Ripper) who introduced me to a group of locals who swam regularly in the bay.  I initially started swimming in a wetsuit but the group encouraged me to ‘ditch it’ and embrace the cold water.  I succumbed to peer pressure and haven’t looked back.

 What type of training did you do in the lead-up to your last swim (Winter Rip Swim)(days per week/hours/interesting swim sets?) AND, how did you fit it in around life (work, family, etc...)

I think for an event like the Rip Swim, it’s important to find the right team for you.  After the Summer Rip which I completed in January, three out of four of us went on and set our sights on the Winter Rip.  Two additional swimmers joined our team who had regularly swam with us and we spent a solid three months in the lead-up to The Winter Rip consistently training around four times a week together.  The Winter Rip obviously offers the additional challenge of conditioning the body to handle the colder water temperature; we knew we had the capability to complete the distance however it was important for us to ensure we had the capability to complete it in the lower water temperature.  

You recently completed the Winter Rip Swim with a past interviewee ‘Double-Ripper’ Ross Pollard, what was your experience like?

The Winter Rip Swim was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was both a physical and mental challenge. The conditions on the day were tough which added to the challenge of tolerating the cooler water. This was however, the very reason why we had signed up! It was about accepting the unknown and just getting the job done. There were times during the swim that I felt frustrated and willed the tough conditions to ease off, but in the end, that is what made the satisfaction of the accomplishment so much sweeter in the end!

Any words of wisdom you can offer to those who may be considering doing the Winter Rip Swim in 2022?

Take the time to form the right team for you and keep consistent with the training together. That way you get to know the capabilities of each individual team member which helps to identify perhaps at times when the cold is catching up with them. Obviously, safety is paramount in the cold and it’s important to know what your capabilities and limitations are, along with your team mates.

What do you love about open water swimming?

The list is endless but mostly the people who I have met along the way. Swimming attracts good people and many of my swimming acquaintances have gone on to become really good friends. I appreciate how we always keep an eye on each other out there and that it’s such an inclusive sport.

I love how no matter what day I have had, I always leave the water a happier person; I love how no two swims are the same. I have at times swum before dawn, under the moonlight and this is a completely different sensory experience to a swim under the sun during the middle of the day. No matter what though, I never regret a swim!

I also love how I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone on many occasions during swims and how this in turn has given me a great sense of achievement and accomplishment.

I enjoy the fact that I can’t take my phone or laptop with me during a swim so there is no digital distraction which allows me to wholeheartedly immerse myself mentally in the experience.

When the going gets tough what is your personal mantra, quote, or the source of motivation to help you push through those hard times?

My mantra: I am stronger than I think!

What words of advice can you offer to anyone thinking about doing their first Rip Swim?

It is the most unique and thrilling swim you will ever do. Don’t underestimate the challenge but know that it is very achievable. Put in the training so that you can relax out there on the day and take in the amazing ride!

My favourite moment in the water:

In June last year, I had the most amazing encounter with a dolphin while training for the Winter Rip (which COVID got in the way of). I was swimming with some of my team, Ross Pollard and James Geer and we had just completed our 75 minutes in the water at Point Ormond, Elwood. As we headed back into the shore, I saw a black flash underneath me which then circled around me and over to my right. As I looked around, I realised what it was as its beak almost touched my nose and I looked right into its black eyes which felt like forever. I screamed so loud, I think people in Williamstown could have heard me! I’m glad I had Ross and James to witness it as it hardly sounds believable. It was a very spiritual experience and I still get goose bumps thinking about it to this day.

We would like to thank Kendra for sharing her swimming journey with us and offering many actionable tips for those who may be contemplating swimming ‘The Rip’.

KATE: Tell us what motivated you to sign up for 2021 Winter Rip Swim?

NIKOLE: I have always had a fascination with The Rip from a young age. Our family home in Point Lonsdale looked over that stretch of water, and I feel like I have spent a lot of time watching its ever-changing and unpredictable conditions, the fast-moving water, and strange tidal flows. I remember my dad talking about Doug Mew swimming the rip in the 70’s…it was a huge achievement for someone to do it solo and people were in awe of his swim!

Earlier this year, I swam in one of the January crossings and absolutely loved the experience of it, especially swimming without a wetsuit. As the year continued, I kept swimming in my bathers (my daughter actually hid my wetsuit to encourage me!) and in May, when I realised I was able to tolerate the cold, I decided to sign up and give the winter Rip Swim a go!

KATE: Tell us a little bit about your swimming experience. Have you always been an open water swimmer?

NIKOLE: Although I have always loved swimming, it was more a leisure sport and not something I committed to. I started swimming in the ocean regularly in March last year as a way to keep fit during lockdown and a way to have some time to myself during the home-schooling days. I started in the Barwon Heads River, just swimming 500m or so, then over the year built up to swimming longer distances and by November I was swimming 5km!

KATE: What words of advice can you offer to anyone thinking about doing a non-wetsuit endurance swim in the middle of winter?

NIKOLE: Winter swimming without a wetsuit can seem daunting, mainly due to the cold temperatures, but your body can deal with the cold if you are acclimatising yourself slowly each day. If it interests you, just have a go and see how your body responds and how far you can take it. Preparation, before and after your swim is important too; make sure you stay warm right up until you enter the water, and then afterwards, be prepared with warm water and warm clothing, so you can heat up quickly. Also, find some like-minded people to swim with, I have pushed through so many personal fears and blocks by connecting with a group of swimmers who all encourage each other and enjoy swimming together.

KATE: What do you love about swimming and more specifically cold water swimming?

NIKOLE: The cold water, for me, is very energising! Submerging myself in the cold brings me into a state of complete focus and presence. I spend a lot of time in my head in day to day life; planning, organising, over thinking, worrying or stressing about work life, family life, and so on….but when I enter the water, all of that wipes clean and I focus within, on my breath, the sensations on my skin and the movement of my body through the water. Swimming gets me out of my head and into my body, which gives me a feeling of complete freedom. That feeling becomes a little addictive and I guess I seek more of it, which means I swim most days. Also, I have noticed many health benefits from cold water swimming; my immune system seems stronger, the inflammation in my body has reduced and my lung capacity and breath is stronger and deeper. My sleep has also improved.

KATE: When the going gets tough, what's your personal mantra, quote, or the source of motivation to help you push through those hard times?

NIKOLE: I recently read a book called “Swimming to Antartica” by Lynne Cox. On the really cold days, I think of Lynne and what she endured in some of the coldest waters on the planet, swimming through ice and around glaciers and it makes the waters of the Bellarine Peninsula feel almost balmy!

KATE: What type of training did you do in the lead-up to this swim (days per week/hours/ interesting swim sets?)

NIKOLE: I wanted to be sure I could swim 4-5km in the cold water if I needed to, so I have been swimming at least 4 days a week, between 2-3km per session. On Sundays, I do a longer swim with my team mates so we are familiar with swimming alongside each other, staying together and looking out for each other in the water. I haven’t done any pool training, just all ocean and river swimming. I probably need to start some pool swimming to do some sets/pace training, but the last time I swam in the pool I felt like I was swimming in a warm bath and didn’t enjoy it one bit!

We wish Nikole and her team a fun and memorable crossing!

If you would like to follow Nikole’s swimming experiences head over to

Facebook: @nikoleramsayphotographer

Instagram @nikoleramsay

KATE: Tell us what motivated you to sign up for 2021 Winter The Rip Swim?KIRSTY: I was signed up to do this swim in 2020 - but Covid hit. I have been Winter swimming for almost 3 years now - and totally love it! I wanted a cold-water swimming challenge, and also wanted to swim “The Rip” - so it was a perfect combination!KATE: Tell us a little bit about your swimming experience, have you always been an open water swimmer??KIRSTY: I grew up as a pool swimmer, so come from a swimming background. I've dabbled in ocean swimming over the years, but recently got more into marathon swimming. I've pushed the limits of my ocean swimming over the past couple of years going from a 2.5k to 5k, to 10k to 21.5km swims. On a journey to see how far I can swim, and I don't know what that looks like yet.  

KATE: What words of advice can you offer to anyone thinking about doing a non-wetsuit endurance swim in the middle of WinterKIRSTY: It's not as hard as it mentally would seem. It's not about being some kind of warrior, but about cold water acclimatisation, being comfortable with being uncomfortable, getting some advice on how to go about it, learning about your limits, and just giving it a go!

KATE: What do you love about swimming and more specifically cold-water swimming?KIRSTY: Swimming is many things to me. I love it because it's my thing for me, it's my happy place, I get to spend time in nature, I get to hang out with swim buddies and enjoy the camaraderie. Cold water swimming also gives you a natural high afterwards that's just amazing! It really gives you a buzz, puts a spring in your step and totally sets you up for the day. It clears your mind - wipes the whiteboard of "stuff" in your head clean and brings really sharp mental clarity. What's not to like about that?

KATE: When the going gets tough what's your personal mantra, quote, or the source of motivation to help you push through those hard times?KIRSTY: On my recent long Bellarine swim 21.5km a friend gave me a quote of Trevor Hendy (Ironman legend) that he used in events, and it was perfect for me as I had challenging conditions on the day. "These are my perfect conditions". That's what I told myself a few times - cold, windy, into the current, dark, etc. - these are my perfect conditions!  I also used some affirmations such as - You've done the training, You like swimming in cold water, You're stronger than you think, etc. 

KATE: What type of training did you do in the lead-up to this swim (days per week/hours / interesting swim sets?)KIRSTY: The most important thing about training for the Winter Rip Swim is to be in the cold water regularly. I've had an injury, so been in a bit less, but building up again to about 20km/week. Training as a team is really important too, and practice swims with my teammates has been great. 

We wish Kirsty and her team a fun and memorable crossing!

If you would like to follow Kirsty’s swimming experiences head over to @sunriseswimmersaus on Instagram.

KATE: Tell us what motivated you to sign up for The Rip Swim?

ERIC: After swimming for 20+ years, doing countless Pier2Pubs’ and various other open water swims, I was looking for a new challenge. The Rip Swim has been on my Bucket List for quite some time but to be honest I have put it off because I was not sure if I could organize a team to do it with me. It was not until last year where I found myself doing more open water swimming (thanks to COVID-19) I decided to make it my mission to sign up and get a team organized. Once I made this commitment it did not take much effort to find a few more like-minded swimmers to join my team, it in fact happened rather organically.  

KATE: Tell us a little bit about your swimming experience

ERIC: Looking back, thanks to my Mother I started swimming at an early age, water safety was her top priority, for me, I found something that made me happy. Even throughout school, I didn’t really care about competitions, I swam because I loved it. Swimming took a bit of a backseat post-high school and it wasn’t until my mid-20’s I decided to get back into it, swimming my first Pier2Pub at the age of 26 was really the catalyst for a hobby that is very much part of who I am and a hobby which I plan to keep up for many, many years to come.

KATE: Heading into your very first Rip Swim, do you have any concerns?

ERIC: By nature, I’m a pretty positive person, I trust in the training I have done and also the years of experience I have, plus knowing that I am in your good hands makes me feel at ease! I guess because I train in all types of conditions, I do not think I will be surprised on the day…time will tell! However, there is one aspect of this event that challenged me a little, that being swimming in a pod and sticking close to your kayaker, it’s just something I have not have to do before as most races you do are solo so you only need to think about yourself. The Rip Swim is not a race it’s an event you share with your team.

KATE: What words of advice can you offer to anyone thinking about doing The Rip Swim

ERIC: Knowing what I know now I would say to make sure you train with your team as much as possible. I know this is easier said than done, we have managed to train together twice in the lead-up and I am glad we did! Also, try and pick a team where you all have similar swimming abilities as you will be swimming as a team, no one gets left behind! Finally, talk to someone who has done this swim, it’s nice to get some feedback on what the event is like from someone who has done it. 

KATE: Final question, what do you love about swimming?

ERIC: I think everyone needs to have a healthy outlet; swimming just happens to be mine. I believe it’s awesome for the mind, body and soul. I love how when you are in the open water you get really connected to nature (something that cannot be replicated in a pool), the rhythm of the waves, the focus on your breath, you are totally in the moment, it’s my type of meditation.

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us Eric, I am sure the Rip Swim Community will get a lot out of this interview.