The Aqua Pod - Scottish Swimming Podcast

Ahead of the Scottish National Age Group Swimming Championships Charlie catches up with coaches Laura Bowie and Jamie Ward.

They chat about: coaching in Trinidad at the Commonwealth Youth Games, helping build resilience in young athletes, and look ahead to a busy few weeks of competition.

On this episode we take a closer look at the work of Scottish Swimming's Club of the Year - Dumfries Amateur Swimming Club.

Host Charlie chats to Dumfries Head Coach Anthony Ryan about the success of the club both in and out the pool over that past 12 months.

Host Charlie catches up with swimmers Rob Lee and Kelly McIntosh to discuss all things Masters!

They talk about the drive to train and compete, the pull of the Masters community and some of their incredible experiences through the sport

On this episode of The Aqua Pod we bring you part two of our political hustings event - Saving Lives Changing Lives.

The hustings, featuring Maree Todd, Neil Bibby, Lorna Slater, Liz Smith and Aude Boubaker- Calder, is hosted by award-winning journalist Heather Dewar.

This week we bring you a special edition of The Aqua Pod, with part one of our political hustings event - Saving Lives Changing Lives.

The hustings, featuring Maree Todd, Neil Bibby, Lorna Slater, Liz Smith and Aude Boubaker- Calder, is hosted by award-winning journalist Heather Dewar.

In the first episode of 2026 Charlie speaks with new Scottish Diving Talent Pathway Developer Judy Wardlaw about her new role and what it entails. The pair also look ahead to the upcoming Scottish Diving Championships.

Also listen out for the new feature ' Aqua Update' where Charlie covers the latest going son in the world of aquatics in Scotland

In the last episode of 2025 Charlie and Scottish National Swimming Coach Ian Wright review the Short Course Season, look back at their 2025 highlights and chat through the preparation so far from Glasgow 2026.

On this episode of The Aqua Pod, Charlie speaks to Ali Campbell and Hannah Luke - both coaches involved in the National water Polo Squads in Scotland.

The group review Scottish success at the recent EU Nations tournament, looking at players who most impressed, the challenges faced by teams, and what is to come next.

Charlie hosts the second of two panel discussions from the Learn to Swim 10 year anniversary celebration.

He chats to Olympic champion Duncan Scott, Paralympic medallist Toni Shaw and one of the founders of the framework, Alan Lynn

In this special episode of The Aqua Pod, host Charlie chairs a panel discussion with three Scottish Swimming CEOs from over the 10 Years of the National Learn to Swim Framework.

Forbes Dunlop, Euan Lowe and John Lunn discuss the early days of Learn to Swim, the importance of partnering with Scottish Water and what the future holds for the framework.

Charlie catches up with University of Stirling Breaststroker Rory Dickson on the latest episode of The Aqua Pod.

The pair discuss managing the challenge of joining a big programme like Stirling, the story of his European Under-23 medal in the summer and his memories of watching Scotland's breaststroke stars battling it out in Tollcross at Glasgow 2014

Host Charlie is joined by Colleen Blair MBE and Dr Corrie Smith to discuss Outdoor Swimming in Scotland.

The trio chat about the health and social benefits of swimming outdoors, some top tips on how to stay warm, and safety considerations when you take to the water

Host Charlie is joined by Scottish Amateur Swimming Association President Derek McGown to reflect on the 2025 Scottish Swimming Awards!

On this episode host Charlie speak to Adam Smallwood, the new Lead Coach of the Edinburgh Aquatics GB Diving Performance Centre.

The pair discuss Adam's vast experience in the sport, including coaching at the Olympics, as well as his motivations for taking up the new role in Edinburgh, and what the future holds for Diving in Scotland

Charlie speaks to Scottish Swimming's National Aquatic Sports Development Manager Victoria Park about Artistic Swimming, Diving, Masters Swimming, Open Water and Water Polo.

The pair chat about the five sports, their development over the past few years, and Victoria takes on The Aqua Pod quiz!

Charlie catches up with Scottish Swimming National Coach Ian Wright to discuss:

Ian Wright also takes on The Aqua Pod quiz!

Host Charlie catches up with Commonwealth and European finalist Kara Hanlon about the upcoming Island Games in Orkney, her international career to date, and resilience in the sport of swimming. Charlie also speaks to Inga Burton (Orkney) and Petur Petursson (Shetland) about Orkney 2025, and what the Island Games means to island communities in Scotland.

Host Charlie and co-host Erin are joined by Kirsty Doig from the Darcey Sunshine Foundation for a special podcast on Drowning Prevention Week. The trio discuss Kirsty's journey into Drowning Prevention, the creation of the Darcey Sunshine Foundation and Water Safety in general

Host Charlie is joined by Colleen Blair, member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame to discuss Open Water Swimming in Scotland and the upcoming National Open Water Championships. Charlie also chats to Pathway Coach Kerry Wood around recent Open Water performances on the International Stage

Host Charlie catches up with Water Polo experts Ali Campbell and Fraser MacNair to preview the upcoming Scottish Cup Final day in Dundee.

Host Charlie chats to Scottish Swimming's Head of Marketing and Public Affairs, Helen Frost, as well as Aquatics Partnership Manager Gordon Hunter. The trio discuss the recent political engagement with the Save Our Pools and Support School Swimming Campaigns, the new Facilities Strategic Review and the recent National Learn to Swim Framework Day.

Host Charlie speaks with High Performance Coaches Ben Higson (University of Stirling) and Mat Trodden (University of Edinburgh), looking over the swimming season so far and previewing the upcoming Aquatics GB Championships!

Host Charlie, and this week's co-host Kerry Wood, sit down with swimming coaches Laurel Bailey and Anthony Ryan to discuss: coach wellbeing at competitions, top tips for new coaches on how to manage long competitions, and their thoughts heading into SNAGS

Host Charlie sits down with Sport Aberdeen Coached Programme Manager Dianne Breen, and Swimming Teacher Christian Nuade to discuss becoming Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year.

Host Charlie sits down with Scottish Swimming's New CEO John Lunn in this episode of The Aqua Pod. The pair discuss John's route into the sport of swimming, the lessons learnt in a long career in sport, and some of his ambitions at Scottish Swimming.

Host Charlie Harris catches up with Janet McLean and Eddie Riach from the Scottish Masters community.

The trio discuss Janet and Eddie's international success at European and World Championships, the positive environments are Masters Swimming, and the upcoming Scottish National Long Course Masters Championships.

Scotland National Coach Ian Wright gives a competitive update at start of 2025 season, alongside host of The Aqua Pod, Charlie Harris.

The pair discuss coaching changes across Swimming and Diving Programmes in Scotland, early season performances from Scottish athletes and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Host Charlie Harris is joined by Scottish Swimming Development Manager Anthony Manfredi, as the pair hear from the Executive Committee at the Forth Valley Tridents.

Forth Valley Tridents are a new club born out of the ashes of Bo'ness, Falkirk Otters and Grangemouth Swimming Clubs.

In the first of a new 'Club Spotlight' series, the group discuss the process, challenges and positive outcomes of the move to a Falkirk 'superclub' model.

On the first episode of 2025, host Charlie Harris chats to Vicki Tomlinson - a leading figure within the Scottish Diving Community. The pair cover Vicki's journey into coaching and judging Diving, her current role as Diving Co-Ordinator at Edinburgh Leisure and her experience at the Paris Olympics

Host Charlie speaks with outgoing Scottish Swimming CEO about his five years at the head of the organisation

Host Charlie speaks with Paralympic and World Champion Faye Rogers about Paris 2024, the challenges after a games, winning international medals and what the future holds

Host Charlie speaks to Scottish Swimming's School Swimming Aquatics Development Manager Erin Cummins. The pair discuss the landscape of school swimming across the nation, and the new National Primary School Swimming Framework.

Host Charlie speaks with Scottish Swimming's Disability Performance Development Manager Paul Wilson about the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games. Charlie also catches up with ParalympicsGB athletes Stephen Clegg, Louis Lawlor, Toni Shaw and Faye Rogers

Scottish National Coach Ian Wright reveals his thoughts on the recent Paris Olympics with host Charlie Harris, as the pair look over the performances of Scottish athletes on Team GB

This week host Charlie catches up with three practitioners heading to Paris as part of Team GB's swimming squad.

Neil Shanks, Jonathan Twynham and Ade Campbell work across Strength & Conditioning, Performance Physiology and Physiotherapy in Scottish aquatics to help support athletes to perform at the highest level possible.

Listen to hear about their experiences at previous games, their day to day work, and how important their relationships with coaches and athletes really is.

Host Charlie catches up with Scottish Swimming Club Development Manager Paul Donald about the process of becoming our Club of the Year. Charlie also speaks to Chair of current winners Lerwick ASC, Inga Geddes, about their experience of winning the award last year

Host Charlie is joined by Edinburgh Diving Club's Libby Duke and Angus Menmuir on the eve of the Aquatics GB Diving Championships. The trio chat about Angus and Libby's route into Diving, their first national titles, the legacy Birmingham Commonwealth Games at Sandwell, and the mental battles that come with being a platform diver

On this episode, host Charlie speaks to Alan and Gordon from the More Swimmers ream about their roles within the wider national Learn to Swim framework, and how their work fits into the overall vision of Scottish Swimming.

Later in the episode we hear from some of the inclusion panel at the National Framework Day, including Toni Shaw.

Hosts Charlie Harris and Ian Wright discuss the news that five Scottish swimmers have been selected to represent Team GB at the Paris Olympic Games in the summer. They hear from selected swimmers Katie Shanahan, Keanna MacInnes, and Lucy Hope, as well as University of Stirling Head Coach Steven Tigg. The pair also look back on a successful Aquatics GB Swimming Championships and Scottish National Age Group Championships for athletes

Join us on a bumper first episode of ‘The Aqua Pod’ as we look ahead to the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships, which act as a selection meet for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nearly 1,000 athletes, over 3,000 swims, multiple coaches, team and support staff, and Olympic and Paralympic qualification at stake amongst other competitions – the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships are the pinnacle of the British swimming calendar. 

With all six days of competition live on the BBC and YouTube, the nation’s eyes will be on London Aquatics Centre, as approximately 60 Swimmers Para-Swimmers...