Ocean Walker – The Team
Adam Walker
Founder - Ocean Walker
Head Coach and Creator
Record Breaking Swimmer
Gemma Clarke
Founder - Ocean Walker
Head Coach
Operational Manager
Steve Smith
L1 Certified OWT Coach
Owner of Gites at Civray
Ironman finisher
Ian Young
Coach in Training
Open water enthusiast
Yoga Instructor
ADAM WALKER
WORLD RECORD BREAKING SWIMMER
Creator of the Ocean Walker Technique
Founder of Ocean Walker
First Brit to swim the Oceans 7
RLSS Ambassador for Open Water Swimming
Zoggs Ambassador for Open Water Swimming
Motivational Speaker
Author – Man Vs Ocean
- ENGLISH CHANNEL RELAY [2007]
- ENGLISH CHANNEL SOLO [2008] 21 MILES – 11HRS 35MINS
- LAKE WINDERMERE [2011] 21 MILES 10HRS 31MINS [FASTEST MAN 2 WAY]
- STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR [2011] 19 MILES – 9HRS 39MINS [1ST BRIT 2 WAY CROSSING]
- MOLOKAI STRAIT [2012] 26 MILES – 17HRS 2MINS
- CATALINA CHANNEL [2012] 21 MILES – 12HRS 15MINS
- TSUGARU STRAIT [2013] 15 MILES – 15HRS 31MINS
- COOK STRAIT [2014] 14 MILES – 8HRS 39MINS
- NORTH CHANNEL [2014] 22 MILES – 10HRS 45MINS
- ICE MILE [2017] 1 MILE in under 5 degrees
Adam Walker born July 1978 qualified swim coach 1998 (ASA/Swim England) swam the English Channel in 2008 and ruptered a bicep tendon. The conventional front crawl stroke had taken its toll on Adams shoulders and he was advised not to swim again.
With no luck in his search for a swim technique that would work for him, he began to create his own style of swimming. With a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies & Leisure Recreational Management and sheer determination, Adam Walker created the Ocean Walker Technique so that he could continue the sport he loved – open water swimming.
Adam Walker went on to swim the toughest seven oceans swims in the world, spiking global curiosity with his effortless and graceful swimming style. So much so, it enabled Adam to leave his day job in sales and travel the world coaching the Ocean Walker Technique.
GEMMA CLARKE – HEAD COACH
Founder Ocean Walker
Ocean Walker Technique Head Coach
Operations, marketing NPD and web design
Photographer & Videographer
Gemma met Adam in 2012 and 1 year later they ran their first swim camp together in the Lake District.
With a background in marketing and a passion for design and art, Gemma works behind the scenes on the Ocean Walker websites, shooting and editing videos as well as managing bookings and arranging swim camps.
Born in 1983 and growing up with horses, Gemma has always had an active lifestyle. Competing as a gymnast in her younger years then equine eventing until she learned to play guitar and joined a band as lead singer.
Following back surgery in 2011 for a pro-lapsed disc, Gemma discovered the importance of core strength during recovery. Pilates is now a form of exercise that Gemma strongly believes in and is a great land based partner for the Ocean Walker Technique.
Adam Walker trained Gemma in the Ocean Walker Technique to become the first qualified coach.
Since then, Adam and Gemma have ran over 100 Ocean Walker swim camps together across the globe and continue to support and guide others in achieving their swimming goals.
STEVE SMITH – CERTIFIED COACH L1
Gites at Civray in France. Book a training session with Steve or go for a holiday!
- ITU Long Distance World Champs Oklahoma (2016)
- ITU Middle Distance (half Iron) European Champions Denmark (2017)
- Ironman Wales (2015)
- Outlaw (2015)
- Ironman Barcelona (2017)
- Ironman Austria (2018)
- Etape du Tour – Three times finisher (tough mountain stage of Tour de France)
- Jottunheimen Rundt – Two times finisher (430Km one day ride)
- Kalmar Iron Distance – 2012
- Willmington Iron Distance – 2013
- Challenge Vichy – 2014
Steve Smith and wife Jenny moved to France in 2017 from Portsmouth UK and set up Gites at Civray to accomplish their dream of creating a training facility revolved around outdoor pursuits to include swimming, running and cycling.
In 2018, Steve and Jenny opened for business with an offering of 4 beautifully restored Gites, a heated 25m 2 lane outdoor pool, and an abundance of country roads to explore as well as many stunning open water swimming locations to choose from.
As a qualified Ocean Walker Technique coach, Steve is perfectly placed to offer 1-1 and small group lessons at his facility, with the added benefit of being able to incorporate swim sessions into a family summer holiday. You will also find Steve supporting Adam Walker on Ocean Walker swim camps Worldwide.