Meet the Team
Claire
In her early career, Claire managed the renovation of the beautiful Art Deco Jubilee Pool in Penzance, Cornwall, becoming its first dedicated manager. With the dream to create a unique cultural hub, alongside exemplary neighbouring galleries, in partnership with local artists, and fuelled by delicious local cafes and delis, the ethos of promoting creativity, and wellbeing (and happy tummies) for all generations of all abilities began to shape her life’s work. Now the director of a museum and gallery in rural Cambridgeshire, Claire is mum to three water-babies, sampling and sharing the best of Cambridgeshire, her home county.
Jonathon
Jonathon was a competitive youth swimmer and has been an open water swimmer all his life. As a triathlete he represented the Royal Navy and Royal Marines at the British Championships. In 2020 as a swimmer, he was the first person to complete the Thames Marathon (14km) swim. His love for the promotion of wild swimming led him to the role of regional representative (Devon and Cornwall) for the Outdoor Swimming Society, 2008 - 2010. Jonathon is working towards his Level 2 open water swimming coaching qualification under the tutelage of world champion and Olympic silver medallist, Kerri-Anne Payne.
Sophie
Sophie is a disabled long distance open water swimmer, the founder of the Facebook group Adaptive/Disabled Open Water Swimmers (ADOWS) and STA Level 2 Open Water Coach. She was an active, fully able-bodied swimmer and swimming teacher but in 2011 she was involved in a cycling accident, which resulted in a long diagnostic process before finally being diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome; one of the most painful conditions in the world in late 2012. After several years of struggling, in 2016 she rediscovered her love of the water. Since restarting swimming in 2016 Sophie has gone on to compete in many events culminating by completing the Two Way Windermere swim in 16 hours and 41 minutes.