2025 Presentations
November 8th, 2025
Lenny Krayzelburg From Gold Medals to New Goals
Four-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg shares his inspiring path from immigrant to champion, the mindset that fueled his success, and how he transformed lessons from the pool into building a thriving business.
Glenn stout Learning From Trudy
Author Glenn Stout shares the inspiring story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel. In this talk, Glenn explores how Trudy overcame immense challenges—both in life and in the water—and what her perseverance can teach all of us about resilience and success.
Sarah Thomas Goals, Grit & Grace
Description Coming Soon…
Dan Daly Land Work That Translates: How to Strength Train for Open Water Performance
This interactive session will show swimmers how to build strength on land that directly improves speed, endurance, and efficiency in the water—complete with audience participation and practical takeaways they can start using right away.
Dr. Greg Skomal Jaws Revisited
At 50 years old, Jaws remains one of the most influential thrillers ever made. Since its 1975 release, the film has terrified beachgoers, fueled the “Jaws Effect” on shark populations, and blurred the line between fact and Hollywood hyperbole. This presentation celebrates the iconic blockbuster by separating shark science from cinematic fiction.
Dr. Laurie Craigen THRIVING IN FEAR
Dr. Laurie Craigen, will share her experiences and changing relationship with fear through open water swimming. Attendees will learn about Laurie’s model for thriving in fear.
Adina O’Neill Everyone in the water! Nurturing an inclusive environment for all swimmers.
Learn ways to build confidence and take the plunge into any swim space. Perfect for new swimmers and anyone who thinks they are too slow, too old or too shy and coaches who are building inclusive communities.
Elaine Howley Rowing Together
In this practical session all about how to support a marathon swimmer and what to look for in potential crew who might support you on a big swim, expert crew member and founder of Channel Support Services Elaine K. Howley shares her insights about what to expect when crewing a marathon swim. From what to pack in your bag and how to manage hypothermia to how to talk an anxious swimmer down from quitting an attempt, she covers all the basics for would-be or new crew so they can be the best support possible for a swimmer in need.
Dr. Susan Sotir Thinking Out of the Box and Through the Water: Strategies to Use to Move Forward
In this session, we’ll explore how to tackle challenging skill changes, break through problem-solving barriers, and creatively approach performance situations—so you or your athletes can confidently execute at your current level of fitness.
Glenn Mills Be Hyperfocused
This presentation explores the power of zeroing in on a single skill, technique, or performance metric in training or coaching. Instead of rushing from one point to the next, this talk will teach athletes and coaches to build lasting habits and achieve deeper, more sustainable improvements.
Matt Dunn & Casey Taker From Start Line to Bottom Line: The Four Cornerstones to Creating Events That Matter
When built with care, intention, and vision, open water events can be more than just races... They can be catalysts. For community pride. For economic resilience. For environmental awareness. For destination storytelling. Join us in building events that matter... Now, and far into the future.
Sylvia Lacock A Pilot's Perspective
Whether it's your first Alcatraz or marathon swim, the pilot matters. Learn the role of the pilot - what to ask, what to know and what's expected of you as the swimmer. Communication, safety, and trust are everything.
Markus Marthaler What Quitting Taught Me About Winning
A story-driven reflection on his first (unsuccessful) attempt to swim from Trinidad to Tobago. Markus explores the lessons learned in choosing to stop, the growth that followed, and how embracing failure can be the very thing that sets us up for future success—both in performance and in personal identity.
Bob Fernald Small Moves, Big Gains: Why drills matter for efficient open water swimming
Discover the drills and details that make the biggest difference in the open water. Learn how and why technique tweaks can add up to major improvements and overall swim success.
Peter Plavec From beginner to World Champion: A Blueprint for Aspiring Athletes.
From his first ice dip to breaking world records in ice and ultra-distance events, Peter Plavec shares the real story behind becoming a world champion. This talk offers aspiring athletes a blueprint for long-term success — built on discipline, resilience, and the power of believing in your own path.
Team Rivard From Fundamentals to Finish Line: Keeping It F.U.N.
Marathon swimming family Darcie, Margaret and Vera Rivard share practical tips, safety strategies, and mindset hacks to help you train smart, adapt when things go sideways, and keep the joy alive — even in the toughest conditions.