Beyond the Breakers: Bringing the Marathon Swimming Community Together
We caught up with Craig Lewin, marathon swimmer, coach and conference organiser
Please tell us briefly about your swimming background and what inspired you to create Beyond the Breakers.
I started swimming competitively at 13 and went on to swim all four years at Boston College. During that time, I completed my first few 25km marathon swims and my first Boston Light Swim. After college, I shifted into triathlon and half-Ironman racing until a cycling accident ended that chapter. From there, I began coaching open water swimming with a focus on helping triathletes find swim success.
In 2011, I crewed for an English Channel solo swimmer—an experience so cold and challenging that I swore I’d never do it myself. But in 2018, I returned to marathon swimming, completing my Catalina Channel solo, followed by 20 Bridges in 2019, and finally breaking my vow and heading back to England to complete my own English Channel solo in 2020, during COVID. Since then, I’ve coached dozens of marathon swimmers tackling major swims around the world, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
Over time, I noticed my athletes all had similar questions about training, mindset, and logistics. That inspired Beyond The Breakers, a conference designed to bring together experts in every aspect of open water swimming: sports psychology, training, safety, crew selection, technique, and more. One of my favourite parts of this journey has been the people I’ve met along the way, and I wanted to create a space where swimmers could connect, learn, and celebrate the sport we all love.
This is your second year. What were your highlights from last year?
Last year’s inaugural event was incredible. We had attendees and speakers from all over the world: something I never expected in year one. The open water community showed up in full force, and our speakers brought so much energy and knowledge. We also had some amazing sponsors that helped make the day possible including Endurance Swimming, Sharkbanz and dryrobe.
Dr. Greg Skomal’s talk on shark behaviour was a standout: insightful, engaging, and surprisingly fun. Dr. Susan Sotir’s session on sports psychology gave swimmers practical tools for staying mentally strong in tough conditions. The panel discussion on crew selection, led by the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association with Elaine Howley and Mina Elnaccash, was another attendee favourite. And of course, our closing party capped the day perfectly – speakers and attendees connecting, sharing stories, and building the community we hoped to create.
What did you learn from last year, and what’s new for 2025?
Attendees wanted even more actionable takeaways – things they could immediately apply to their swimming, coaching, or event planning. So for 2025, we’re going bigger. We’ll have three rooms running concurrently with experts covering everything from safety and event organising to mental skills, dryland strength, and training fundamentals.
We’ve also added two keynote sessions so everyone can start and end the day together. The goal is for every attendee to walk away with inspiration and a clear set of steps to level up their open water experience, whether that’s completing a first mile, organising an event, or taking on a marathon swim.
Who will we hear from in 2025, and why did you choose them?
This year’s lineup features 21 speakers and 18 presentations – a mix of returning favourites and new faces.
Our opening keynote is four-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg, sharing how his pool career evolved into business success and led him to the open water co-founding Oceanman USA.
Our closing keynote is Glenn Stout, author of Young Woman and the Sea, the story behind the major motion picture about Trudy Ederle.
For those interested in marathon swimming, we’re thrilled to feature Sarah Thomas, Sylvia Lacock, Elaine Howley, Quinn Fitzgerald, and Team Rivard (Vera, Margaret & Darcie), each bringing unique experience and perspective.
We’ll also have Dan Daly, Charlotte Brynn, Dr. Susan Sotir, Glenn Mills, Bob Fernald, Dr. Laurie Craigen, Markus Marthaler, and Peter Plavec focusing on performance, training, and mental strength.
Matt Dunn, and Casey Taker of Salty Sports Society and Adina O’Neill, will lead sessions on event organisation and inclusion in swimming, while Dr. Greg Skomal returns to share the latest on shark behavior and ocean safety.
We are also welcoming back a few sponsors who have displayed a real commitment to the open water swim community. Much of our vision has been made possible with the support of Endurance Swimming, Salty Sports Society, Sharkbanz, dryrobe and Core Values California!
There’s truly something for everyone: swimmers, coaches, event organisers, and fans alike. Full presentation details are at swimbeyondthebreakers.com/2025-presentations.
Can people attend remotely?
Beyond The Breakers is all about community and building connections; we believe that happens best in person. For 2025, the event will be in-person only, though we may explore hybrid options in the future.
For those excited to attend, you can purchase tickets at swimbeyondthebreakers.com/tickets and at the door on November 8th!
If people are travelling, how long should they plan to stay, and where should they stay?
The conference kicks off Saturday, November 8th, with check-in at 8:15 AM and sessions running through 6 PM. We recommend arriving in the Boston area by Friday, November 7th to make the most of the day and maybe squeeze in an open water swim or some sightseeing.
Waltham, MA is the most convenient location for lodging. There are several great hotels in Waltham just a few minutes away from the conference centre. You can find a few recommendations listed on our website. Boston is only a 20-minute drive away if you prefer to be in the thick of the city. November is a beautiful time to visit New England: perfect for combining the event with a mini fall getaway.
Find out more:
Simon Griffiths
I started Outdoor Swimmer in 2011 (initially as H2Open Magazine) as an outlet for my passion for swimming outdoors. I've been a swimmer and outdoor swimmer for as long as I remember. Swimming has made a huge difference to my life and I want to share its joys and benefits with as many people as possible. I am also the author of Swim Wild & Free: A Practical Guide to Swimming Outdoors 365 a Year, I provide one-to-one support to swimmers through Swim Mentoring and I'm the creator of the Renaissance Swimmer project.
