The Blue Room

Recent episodes

1. Bitten not beaten: Joanne Norman on being the first Australian Woman to achieve the Oceans 7 from The Blue Room

   Jul 31, 202635 min

   The Blue Room's Sabra Lane interviews marathon swimmer Joanne Norman on becoming the first Australian woman to complete the Oceans Seven Challenge. What makes Joanne's story truly remarkable is that she was bitten by a Cookiecutter shark on her first attempt at the Molokaʻi channel. She recovered and successfully swam it a year after the attack. What makes her tick, why did she start marathon swimming - and Jo reveals she swims with her eyes closed - all of the time. Features: Joanne Norman, Marathon Swimmer. Sabra Lane, The Blue Room - theblueroom.au Joanne Norman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo_norman_swims/ Themes: Courage, open water swimming, marathon swimming, Oceans Seven Challenge, inspiration, inspiring swims, surviving a shark attack, cookiecutter shark, English Channel, Catalina Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, North Channel, Kaiwi Channel, Cook Strait, Tsugaru Strait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi. Film, "Don't be Prey", Mark Sowerby, Rob Woodhouse.

2. That's how I pray; singers Vika and Linda Bull on swimming and their song 'That's How I Pray" from The Blue Room

   Jul 17, 202626 min

   Pop divas and sisters Vika and Linda Bull have just been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame , released a new album "Where do you come from", are currently on a national tour and have written a song for swimmers called "That's how I pray". The Blue Room host Sabra Lane interviews them both to talk about how the song came about, what swimming means to them and about their careers, life, Tongan heritage and how strongly they feel about community harmony. Features: Linda and Vika Bull Podcast host Sabra Lane Additional information: Vika and Linda's website including Gig dates: https://vikaandlinda.com.au/ Their book: "No Bull" - Affirm Press, 2022. https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/No-Bull/Linda-Bull/9781922848260 Themes: Singing, song writing, harmonies, ARIA Hall of Fame, swimming, open water swimming, ocean swimming, health, mental health, alcohol, absintence, Tonga, Tongan heritage, inspiration, Joe Camilleri, art, whales, Philip Island, ocean pools, Fitzroy Pool, Collingwood Pool, Doncaster Pool, sport. "No Bull".

3. BONUS: Cold water shock, depression, swimming v medication an interview with Dr Heather Massey from The Blue Room

   Jul 10, 202632 min

   Dr Heather Massey is a marathon swimmer. She's also a researcher at the University of Portsmouth’s Extreme Environments research group in the UK. She's just recruited people for a study comparing cold water swimming with medication in treating depression. Heather joined the Blue Room's Sabra Lane for a chat about her marathon swims, the science of cold water immersion, after drop and floating. Plus what do we know, and what don't we know when it comes to proven results from cold water swimming? Features: Dr Heather Massey /Researcher at the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth. Sabra Lane , The Blue Room. Themes: Cold water swimming, wild swimming, cold water imersion, marathon swimming, English Channel, Ice kilometre, after drop, depression, science, University of Portsmouth, acclimatisation to cold water, cold water exposure, driving after cold water swimming, numbness, pain, hot water More information: Dr Massey's research: https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/heather-massey/publications/ Float to Survive: https://www.floattosurvive.au/

4. Talking the Big Blue in the Blue Room with author and ocean-lover Tim Winton from The Blue Room

   Jul 3, 202648 min

   Australian author Tim Winton joins the Blue Room podcast host Sabra Lane for a long chat about his obsession with the ocean. Tim is admired the world-over for his salt water stories. Nearly all of his novels are love letters to the sea. As Tim says in his dedication in “Land's Edge" - For my family and for those who know that a bad day's fishing is always better than a good day's work. Tim says swimming is family culture and ‘pretty precious' for his tribe. We talk about swimming, what it means, what it does for the mind and explore some of his work including his TV documentary 'Ningaloo' where he swims with whale sharks and opens the window on that part of the West Australian coast. The author also talks about the struggle of writing Juice, while making Ningaloo, as well as fighting for its protection and sharks. Features: Tim Winton/ Author and conservationist Sabra Lane - The Blue Room Resources: Penguin Australia's Tim Winton page: https://www.penguin.com.au/authors/tim-winton Three-part TV documentary series Ningaloo Nyinggulu: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/ningaloo-nyinggulu Cape Range National Park https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/cape-range-national-park Themes: Author Tim Winton, Oceans, swimming, spearfishing, surfing, coastal life, open water swimming, pool swimming, writing, novels, Miles Franklin Award, Booker Prize, marine protection, environmental protection, marine parks, Whale Sharks, Great White sharks, conservation, environmental protection, Western Australia, mining, petro-state, beaches, beachcombing, diving, ocean obsession.

5. Why a humble Tasmanian Swam the Freedom Swim from The Blue Room

   Jun 19, 202631 min

   Join The Blue Room for an inspiring chat with Tasmanian swimmer Brett Stephenson as he recounts his journey to complete South Africa's renowned Freedom Swim . Brett shares what motivated him to take on the challenge, the emotions of swimming through waters steeped in history, and the special moments that made the experience so meaningful. Brett talks with podcast host Sabra Lane and takes us beyond the swim, sharing stories from his travels including to Zanzibar, and the early childhood home of legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Honest, down-to-earth and quietly inspiring, Brett's story is a reminder that extraordinary adventures are often undertaken by ordinary people willing to say yes to a challenge. Features: Brett Stephenson - swimmer with the Tomatoes and Weedy Seadragons. The Blue Room podcast host Sabra Lane. Themes: ocean swimming, wild swimming, monofin swimming, Freedom Swim, Robben Island, Big Bay, Bloubergstrand, South Africa, Nelson Mandela, Zanzibar, Freddie Mercury, inspiration, open water swimming, travel.

6. Mark Sowerby, Don't be Prey! from The Blue Room

   Jun 5, 202637 min

   Mark Sowerby is The Blue Room 's guest in this episode. Over a decade he swims the Ocean Seven, seven channels of water on five continents. The first channel ( The English Channel ) is achieved while he's at the helm of a successful start-up company. The rest of the channels become a form of therapy, recovering from the shock of a company going under which morph into the documentary 'Don't be Prey'. Mark attends a screening of the film in Hobart, and takes time out to speak with podcast host Sabra Lane. Features: Mark Sowerby, Don't be Prey. Sabra Lane, podcast host and co-founder. Themes: Oceans Seven, inspirational swimming, courage, mental health, open water swimming, marathon swimming, ocean swimming, cold water swimming, English Channel, Molokai Channel, Tsugaru Channel, Catalina Channel, Cook Strait, North Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, cookie cutter sharks, "Don't Be Prey" documentary, Jeff Tseng, Michael Kim, Shelley Taylor-Smith, Des Renford. Links: https://www.dontbeprey.film/ https://openwaterpedia.com/wiki/Oceans_Seven

7. Coledale Oysters at Coles Bay Devil Swim from The Blue Room

   May 22, 202626 min

   The Blue Room visits the 2026 Devil of a Swim , relocated this year from Bicheno to Coles Bay. Also visiting the tourist hotspot, the Coledale Oysters from NSW. The Oysters heard about the swim on the Blue Room in 2025 and made a pact to join this year's competition. Afterwards they joined podcast host and swimmer Sabra Lane for a special 'live' recording of the episode at Coles Bay to talk about the 5km swim, how they started ocean swimming, what they get out of being in the water - and importantly swimming with their buddies. Features: Lawrence Stubbs, Coledale Oysters. Mel Berry, Coledales Oysters. Rob Balmer, Coledale Oysters. Themes: ocean water swimming, open water swimming, inspiration, competition, 2026 Devil of a Swim, Bicheno, Coles Bay, Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club, inspirational swimming, nature swimming experiences, resilience, community sports podcast, fun in the water, Loch Ness.

8. Discovering ocean pools and historic lidos; fitness, fun and friendship from The Blue Room

   May 8, 202625 min

   The Blue Room's guest is Alison Orme and what has become 'a highlight of her life'. What started as a simple invite to friends to swim in some of Sydney's spectacular ocean pools became something much bigger. From discovering Harbour pools, to Sydney's ocean pools, pools along the NSW coastline, lidos in the UK and soon pools in France. Alison tells t he Blue Room how this passion started, and how she thinks ocean pools are part of her DNA. It's a story of curiosity, friendship, fun and adventure. Features: Alison Orme, SOPS founder. Sabra Lane - the Blue Room. Themes: ocean swimming, wild swimming, ocean pools, lidos, Merimbula Blue Pool, adventure swimming, friendship, inspiration.

9. The Kingston Swim Pod; how to become confident in ocean swimming from The Blue Room

   Apr 24, 202626 min

   It's a question pod host Sabra Lane is often asked; how to you become confident to swim in the open water? The Blue Room joins the Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving club in Tasmania, as the ' Dragons Swim Pod' graduates. The club has run a 10-week program aimed at getting swimmers confident to swim in the ocean. We join the pod on their final graduation swim, and talk with the trainers and trainees about the course and how they've progressed after 10 weeks of training. Features: Polly Marriott, pod member. Peter McKenna, swimming trainer at Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Sam Cummins, pod member. Maree Farquar, pod member. Sandra Gadsby, swimming trainer at Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Themes: Kingston Beach, Boronia Beach, Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club, open water swimming, confidence in ocean swimming, fun in the water, inspirational swimming, outdoor swimming, cold water swimming, nature swimming experiences, swimming resilience, community sports podcast.

10. The Kingston Beach Sea Hags and Chat stroke from The Blue Room

    Apr 10, 202629 min

    Five years ago, a group of women waded into the cold waters of Tasmania and found something much bigger than a swim. Meet the Kingston Beach Sea Hags: a bold, joyful community bound by saltwater, courage, and connection. This podcast dives beneath the surface of “just a bobble” to explore the magic of cold water, the rhythm of “chat-stroke,” and the quiet power of showing up for one another—again and again. Through choppy mornings, laughter-filled dips, and the kind of friendships that buoy you long after you’ve dried off, the Sea Hags have built something extraordinary. This episode is about bravery in its many forms—stepping into icy water, stepping into community, and stepping up for each other. If you’ve ever wondered what draws people into the sea at dawn—or what keeps them coming back—this is your invitation to find out. Because sometimes, the coldest water creates the warmest bonds. Features: Annie Wolfe Jacqui McElwee Jayne Helen Kwiecien - co-founder, Sea Hags Janine Beck, Original Sea Hag Joanna Butterley Mentions: The Sea Hags, Kingston Beach, courage, cold water swimming, ocean swimming, ocean bobbling, chat-stroke, inspirational swimmers, inspirational women, health.

11. Meet Miu; the Sydney marathon swimmer making history from The Blue Room

    Mar 27, 202625 min

    At just 20 years old, Miu Tanaka is balancing university life in Sydney with record-breaking achievements in marathon swimming. The elite open water swimmer has already secured a series of remarkable firsts in Australia’s most challenging aquatic challenges. Miu Tanaka is the first woman to complete the demanding swim from New Norfolk to Bruny Island in Tasmania. She also became the first woman to conquer Tasmania’s Great Lake on the Central Highlands Plateau—one of the region’s most challenging cold-water swims. In an extraordinary milestone, Miu is also the first woman to complete the Australian Triple Crown of marathon swimming in a single season, cementing her place among the country’s top endurance swimmers. In an interview with Sabra Lane on The Blue Room , Miu shares insights into her marathon swims, what drives her to push physical and mental limits, and how she stays focused during long-distance challenges. She also reveals why swimming at night is her favourite part of the sport. Discover how Miu Tanaka is redefining marathon swimming in Australia through resilience, passion, and record-breaking performances. And what is her next marathon swim?

12. The Desert Swimmer: how Brendan Cullen overcame depression and found joy in marathon swimming from The Blue Room

    Mar 19, 202641 min

    Brendan Cullen works on an outback sheep farm near Broken Hill in NSW. In 2015 he sought help at the local hospital, not knowing what was wrong with himself. He was diagnosed with severe depression. Also that same year, he watched his brother compete in an open-water swim and he thought; "I want some of that". But how do you train for marathon swims, like the English Channel, when you live 600km from the nearest coast? Brendan's just published a book about his life, and how he trained to swim one of the world's most famous stretches of ocean. Brendan talks with the Blue Room's Sabra Lane about the book and his inspirational life. Content warning: there is some swearing in this episode and we discuss mental health. If you need to talk with someone about poor mental health, you can call Lifelife on 13 11 14. Topics: Swimming, English Channel, joy, inspiration, ocean swimming, open water competitions, training, severe depression, friendship, swimming tribes.

13. Inside the campaign to Save Phillip Pool from The Blue Room

    Feb 28, 202628 min

    Save Phillip Pool is a Canberra community group that's just had a big win. The ACT government has backed down on plans to replace a 50m outdoor pool with a 25m one. Canberra woman Sarah Ransom got in touch with The Blue Room about the long-fight to save the pool. The story is one of grit, courage and determination by a group of everyday Australians who persuaded the territory government to do the right thing by its community. Surf Life Saving Australia estimates 40 per cent of public pools will close by 2030. So the lessons learned by the Save Phillip Pool grassroots campaign might be inspirting and enlightening to others around the nation. Featured: Sarah Ransom - Save Phillip Pool campaign This issue explores: Phillip Pool, swimming, pool swimming, mental health, community swimming, access to public swimming pools, ACT government, independent MP Fiona Carrick, urban development, ACT Aquatic strategy. More information: Save Phillip Pool - Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/savephillippool/ Royal Surf Living Saving Australia - 500 Pools may Close https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/about/news-and-updates/news/2024/mar/500-public-pools-may-close-without-strategic-investment

14. The Salty Bitches from The Blue Room

    Feb 13, 202631 min

    The Blue Room is on tour visiting Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula during Christmas 2025. And what better way to experience the coast here than swim with the famous Salty Bitches? This is a tribe of fun, inspiring and brave women (mainly) who love celebrating life by dipping daily in the sea off Indented Head. This tribe's joined up with the local Indented Head yachting fraternity and won a government grant to refurbish the ageing club. For the swimmers that means a great place to change, get warm with a hot shower, coffee and toast and importantly, chat post-swim. The teaming up of these two community-based groups could provide lessons to other towns around Australia on how to collaborate and benefit the whole community. This episode also includes a beautiful piece of creative writing by Gabrielle Maloney on what swimming means to her. Features: The Salty Bitches Roslyn McIntyre Gabrielle Moloney Heather Bisset Guest interviewers: Amanda and Nina

15. Alyssa - the Iron Pot Champ! from The Blue Room

    Jan 30, 202628 min

    The Blue Room is back for another season, to talk with swimmers and dippers about the joys of getting into the ocean. They're all inspiring stories, about overcoming challenges, setting personal goals to achieve, and finding awe in the sea. In this episode podcast co-founder Sabra Lane interviews Alyssa Seckinger-Crow who is a Tasmanian by choice. The 21 year old has just finished the Tasman Bridge to Ironpot swim - a great feat. But she's already achieved a number of big swims, including the English Channel. How does she do it, what does she think about when she swims, does she get tired and cold?

16. Bonus Episode: Dr Rip - Professor Rob Brander on rips and staying safe at the beach and in the water. from The Blue Room

    Dec 25, 202521 min

    Rob Brander is Dr Rip - he's a coastal scientist at the University of NSW in Sydney. He's been educating beachgoers and kids about the surf for more than 25 years. He's written "Dr Rip's Essential Beach Book" sharing his knowledge about beaches, sand, surf and rips. He is Australia's best known beach scientist, he has an AM for it - and the Blue Room's Sabra Lane talks with him about safety, his favourite beach and what he would if he was PM for a day, to improve beach safety. More information: "Dr Rip's Beach Book" - New South is the publisher. Dr Rip's website "Science of the Surf": https://www.scienceofthesurf.com

17. Bonus: The Bondi Swim Circle - a show of support for the Jewish Community from The Blue Room

    Dec 21, 202519 min

    A special episode of the Blue Room , recorded days after the terror attack at Bondi Beach. Three days after that, Bondi swim clubs held a swim circle - to remember the dead, pay tribute to those who saved lives - and reclaim their space. Swimmer Lulu Cooper from the Bondi Great White Swim club helped organise the event, and spoke with podcaster Sabra Lane about the day, and what the swim tribes mean. The Great White Swim Club: https://www.instagram.com/greatwhiteswimclub/?hl=en

18. #15 The Spring Beach Bluebottles from The Blue Room

    Dec 19, 202533 min

    On Tasmania’s east coast, the Bluebottles of Spring Beach bring together courage, sass, fun, fitness, and a carefree spirit. Podcaster co-founders Sabra Lane and Julia Mansour join the gang for a swim and find an uplifting group who swim, travel and live life together and warmly welcome visitors. From the yowling on Sundays, to sharing stories and supporting one another this group is all about inclusion and community. Features: The Spring Beach Bluebottles Jules Scarlett

19. #14 Making Hobart a Swimmable City from The Blue Room

    Dec 5, 202533 min

    Plans are underway to return Hobart to being a Swimmable City. For thousands of years the Derwent's been used by people for swimming, bathing and fishing. In the 1800s there were a string of public pools in the the river with convicts and the gentry encouraged to bathe regularly. What is the plan? Why do it? Blueroom host Sabra Lane interviews the two people leading the campaign to return Hobart into a Swimmable City. Allison Anderson works in Tourism and swimming is a part of her life, from being a child swimming in the Derwent. Mat Hinds is an architect - who can not imagine his life without regular emersion. Guests: Allison Anderson - Director, episteme. Mat Hinds - Architect. Swimmable Cities Hobart information: https://www.episteme.com.au/swimming/project-one-f5w4d-tlljgpdf Swimmable Cities Melbourne Information: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/news/return-river The Swimmable Cities Movement: SwimmableCities.org

20. #13: Rob Peart battles tides and time to swim the English Channel from The Blue Room

    Nov 21, 202545 min

    Tasmanian Rob Peart recently swam the English Channel. It is a remarkable feat. Rob started swimming as an adult and he admits, he struggled to swim 100 metres. But, this channel attempt almost failed right at the end, with Rob battling tides and time - though he was blissfully unaware, and curious about why everyone on his boat was screaming their lungs out for him to swim faster. In this episode we discuss the swim, the preparation, how Rob started swimming, what he thought about during the swim, the family of dolphins that showed up mid-channel... and the dramatic climax. He also talks about his love of swimming with his Tassie tribes.