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A fantastic adventure

We hear from the most adventurous and courageous athletes anywhere in the world including world including record breaking open water swimmers, paragliders and solo sailors

"Jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul." So said US actress Jamie Lyn Beatty. So this week we fill your soul with fantastical adventures and adventurers.

Belgium Tom de Dorlodot soars through the air like an eagle, exploring places untouched by humans. He does it all by harnessing the power of the wind and his spirit of adventure. Tom is a record breaking paraglider who has crossed some of the most challenging terrains on earth

Jono Ridler, is an ultra-marathon swimmer and environmental advocate from New Zealand best known for breaking world endurance records to protect the ocean. In 2026, he completed his most ambitious challenge yet, swimming the length of the North Island of New Zealand from North Cape to Wellington - a 1,400 km swim that took 90 days to complete. It was the longest, unassisted staged swim in history. Called Swim4TheOcean, it called on political leaders to end the fishing practice of bottom trawling in New Zealand.

Back in 1988 Australia's Kay Cottee became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world. Not by the Playbook's Simon Watts hears her memories of nearly 200 days at sea.

Being adventurous is often a solo task, but in the case of Luciano Wernicke it's a family affair. Luciano is best known in his native Argentina as a prolific author and sports historian. It's a passion that has taken him and his family all over the world. His latest book is called '501 World Cup Moments'. We didn't have time to go through them all so instead we picked out those from previous tournaments in Mexico and the USA.

PHOTO: Tom de Dorlodot of Belgium soars over the cliffs in front of Tre Cime di Lavaredo (CREDIT: Adam Pretty/Getty Images for LUMIX)

Release date:

50 minutes

On radio

Sat 20 Jun 2026 09:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 20 Jun 2026 09:06GMT
  • Sat 20 Jun 2026 21:06GMT

Podcast