Coningham-Rolls

+44 (0) 20 8675 6608

info@coningham-rolls.com

Established in 2012 by John Coningham-Rolls and Dr. Kin Yu, Coningham-Rolls Swimming Holidays brings together the experience and knowledge John has gained over the past ten years from organising and discovering new swimming locations throughout the world, with the strategic planning and business development from Kin, who has a background in investment finance and mathematics.

The company specialises in luxury swimming holidays that combine safety and comfort in a versatile range of great swim locations, ranging from the tranquil to the unique. The holidays are designed for both beginners and seasoned swimmers, either as a planned itinerary of 10-12 swimmers or we will create one for you. All holidays are staffed with qualified and experienced guides there to provide a warm and personal service.

The safety of guests is paramount to all the tours. The guides are an integral part of the safety and both their experience and training will ensure that each tour is fun, enjoyable but above all safe.

The guides are qualified as Beach Lifeguards accredited by the Royal Life Saving Society or Surf Life Saving GB, First Aid at Work and Royal Yachting Association Powerboat Level 2.

Using the tour itinerary and the forecasted weather, the guides will liaise with the local boat pilots confirming the swim route for the day. Should inclement weather prevail a suitable alternative swim will be arranged.

Most tours will have at least two swim guides.

John Coningham-Rolls. Known to many as JCR, John has spent the past ten years organising and discovering new swimming locations throughout the world. With solo swims of the English Channel, Manhattan Island and Lake Zurich and completed olympic, half and full Ironmans, as well as marathons in the UK, Europe and the USA, John has used his own personal experience in swimming and triathlon to make the seemingly unattainable challenge for many become a reality. Whether beginners needing the confidence to start, or solo English Channel hopefuls seeking the courage to continue, John has used his experience and knowledge to allow others to excel and to achieve their own personal goals. As an exercise-induced asthmatic he is only too aware of overcoming adversity.

Mia Russell. Mia grew up in Cape Town, and has been in the water since she was five years old. As a competitive swimmer throughout school, Mia developed her experiences and has subsequently taught swimming for over ten years. By combining her passion for the open water and a love of travelling, Mia has a wealth of swim guiding experience in some of the world’s most beautiful waters in the UK, Europe and worldwide. During her time as a guide, Mia has helped numerous swimmers improve their swim stroke and encouraged them to share in her passion for open water swimming. In her spare time when not guiding Mia is also an avid scuba and free-diver.

Kitty Perkins. Kitty represented Great Britain in swimming and triathlon and then discovered the joys of swimming for pleasure in open water rather than a pool. This newly found pleasure has seen Kitty swim in the Isles of Scilly and in rivers, lakes and the sea around the British Isles and Europe. Kitty still races occasionally, but really prefers to drift along admiring the scenery and likes nothing better than sharing her love of open water swimming with novice swimmers. As an excellent swim coach, Kitty has helped many people to improve their swim stroke which in turn has given them far greater confidence. When not guiding, Kitty has been known to unnerve both friends and family on a regular basis by jumping into cold water in remote places and then to shiver violently for the next couple of hours. It takes all sorts.

Thomas Kofler. Born and raised in the Dolomites in Northern Italy, Thomas originally focused on mountaineering and skiing before switching to open water swimming. As a lido swimmer in the Adriatic as a child, Thomas rekindled his love of swimming in his thirties and has to date swum in Scotland and Ireland that culminated in his solo swims of the English Channel and Jersey Island. Thomas has continued his love of open water swimming to include participating in the biannual International Cold Water Swimming Championships in the UK, Bled and Latvia. He is now actively encouraging this Nordic tradition in Italy and when not in the sea can be found swimming in mountain lakes and rivers.

Dr. Mick Nielsen. In 2007 Mick retired as a consultant in intensive care medicine at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust. Mick has been a keen open water swimmer for some years and has swum in a variety of waters both in the UK and worldwide. In 2005, 2008 and 2010, he represented Great Britain for his age group in the World Triathlon Championships in Hawaii, Vancouver and Budapest. Since retiring, Mick has subsequently re-trained as a personal trainer and works part time with one-to-one private clients. Mick’s work as a personal trainer was not entirely unsurprising as he has had a longstanding interest in exercise and sport as an effective and life-long antidote to ‘de-stressing’.

Heidi Hendrick. Heidi has been swimming for as long as she can remember. She grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, held every individual event record at her high school, and was a four-time All-American. She swam for two years at the University of Texas and two years at the University of Notre Dame, where she was team captain in her senior year and the fastest 100 and 200 freestyler. Heidi first began swimming in open water when she started racing in triathlons over 12 years ago. She has extensive coaching experience, from
age-group swimmers to adults. She has coached for Irish Aquatics, Michigan Masters and has privately coached a number of national-caliber athletes. When not in the water, Heidi is an attorney, works as the Chief Visionary Officer for artist, Chris Roberts-Antieau and is also part time (Of Counsel) with the law firm Shinners & Cook, P.C..