Podcast

The Aqua Pod - Scottish Swimming Podcast

Sports, Swimming

Welcome to The Aqua Pod - a podcast by Scottish Swimming, covering all things aquatics in Scotland. From Diving to Swimming, Masters to Open Water, Water Polo to Artistic Swimming, we cover it all, from the top to the bottom of the country!

Swimming chart
#106
Episodes
50
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
36 min
On air since
2024
Latest episode
3 weeks ago

Episodes

50 episodes, newest first

  1. Supporting Young Volunteers: Episode 50

    Season 1, Episode 50

    Show notes

    On the 50th episode of The Aqua Pod we chat to three Young Ambassadors about their experiences in the Scottish Swimming Young Volunteer Programme. We also discuss how the Summer of Sport is funding this year's programme!

    29 min
  2. Learn to Swim Month and Provider of the Year: Episode 49

    Season 1, Episode 49

    Show notes

    Host Charlie, and Aquatics Partnership Manager Erin Cummins, are joined by Karen Baxter from 2025 Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year, Enjoy East Ren, during Learn to Swim Month.

    The trio discuss the Provider of the Year award, the learnings and development as a result of entering, and update on Learn to Swim Month.

    30 min
  3. 2026 Swimming Season Review: Episode 48

    Show notes

    Host Charlie chats to National Coach Ian Wright at the conclusion of the 2026 swimming season, including his thoughts on Glasgow 2026 and Scottish contribution to British success at the European Championships

    55 min
  4. The Big Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Preview: Episode 47

    Season 1, Episode 47

    Show notes

    Charlie sits down with Swimming Team Leader Ian Wright to look at Team Scotland's chances in the pool ahead of Glasgow 2026.

    The pair look at relay opportunities, exciting debutants, and his overall aims for the group.

    59 min
  5. Episode 46: From Glasgow to Glasgow - a second Scottish Commonwealth Games for Lucy Hope

    Season 1, Episode 46

    Show notes

    Charlie sits down with Double Olympian Lucy Hope to chat over the full circle moment of appearing at two Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 12 years apart.

    They chat through Lucy's memories of 2014, some traditions passed on my Scottish swimmers, and her role as a leader in the 2026 squad.

    31 min
  6. Episode 45: Commonwealth Champion Dan Wallace takes us back to Glasgow 2014

    Season 1, Episode 45

    Show notes

    As part of our Glasgow 2026 video series of the Aqua Pod, we catch up with Commonwealth Champion Dan Wallace.

    He shares with us his memories of Glasgow 2014, including: his routines during the competition, the full day of his 400m IM Gold, and the truth behind his memorable celebration on that day.

    47 min
  7. Episode 44: Chasing My Father's World Record - Adam Wilkie

    Season 1, Episode 44

    Show notes

    Host Charlie chats with Adam Wilkie as he sets off on a year of adventure to see if he can match his fathers 50 year old mark in the 200m Breaststroke - then a World Record.

    The pair discuss Adam's motivations, his training so far, and his hopes to inspire and raise funds for Sportsaid.

    31 min
  8. Episode 43: 2026 Scottish Cup Finals Preview

    Show notes

    Host Charlie chats to Ali Campbell and Hannah Luke about the upcoming 2026 Water Polo Scottish Cup Final Day, previewing all six games!

    30 min
  9. Episode 42: Open Water Special

    Season 1, Episode 42

    Show notes

    On this episode of the Aqua Pod, we take an overview of the upcoming Open Water season with coaches Kirsten Geary and Jenn Davis.

    The pair discuss their experiences in the sport, take a deeper dive into the details of Open Water in Scotland and look ahead to the fast approaching event season.

    50 min
  10. Episode 41: Aquatics GB Championships Preview

    Season 1, Episode 41

    Show notes

    With the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships fast approaching, Charlie caught up with Scottish National Team swimmers Brodie Gordon-Gibson and Lucy Grieve.

    They chat through how training and racing has gone so far, hopes of making it on Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026 and preview the upcoming Aquatics GB Championships.

    50 min
  11. Episode 40: Pre SNAGS Coach Catchup

    Season 1, Episode 40

    Show notes

    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 they look ahead to a busy few weeks of competition.

    46 min
  12. Episode 39: Dumfries ASC - Club of the Year

    Season 1, Episode 39

    Show notes

    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.

    29 min
  13. Episode 38: Chatting Scottish Masters

    Season 1, Episode 38

    Show notes

    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

    46 min
  14. Episode 37: Scottish Swimming Hustings Part 2

    Season 1, Episode 37

    Show notes

    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.

    46 min
  15. Episode 36: Scottish Swimming Hustings Part 1

    Season 1, Episode 36

    Show notes

    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.

    53 min
  16. Episode 35: Scottish Diving and the Aqua Update

    Season 1, Episode 35

    Show notes

    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

    28 min
  17. Episode 34: Short Course and 2025 Review!

    Season 1, Episode 34

    Show notes

    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.

    36 min
  18. Episode 33: EU Nations Tournament Review

    Season 1, Episode 33

    Show notes

    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.

    32 min
  19. Episode 32: Learn to Swim Ambassadors Duncan Scott, Toni Shaw and Alan Lynn

    Season 1, Episode 32

    Show notes

    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

    17 min
  20. Episode 31: 10 Years of Learn to Swim

    Season 1, Episode 31

    Show notes

    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.

    30 min