Meet the Pool to Pier Team

​Paul Smith - Pool to Pier Managing Director
​​Paul Smith founded the P2P programme in 2009 and has been a keen open water swimmer throughout his life. Paul has built his business life around swimming creating both the Brighton Swimming School and training company, Swim UK. His role on the P2P programme is to oversee the beach sessions. He starts every day of the year with a sea swim at the Palace Pier at 7am. His favourite swims include around the Palace Pier just as the sun is rising up with a blue sky and the peace and tranquillity of the morning. A close runner up is anywhere in Croatia!

Hildi Mitchell -Pool 2 Pier Coach and Coordinator 
Hildi swam for Norwich Swans Swimming Club as a child and as an adult took up triathlon where she found her strength lay in simply never giving up. She completed six Ironman triathlons before hanging up her bike and run shoes to concentrate on long distance swimming. Prior to her English Channel solo success in 2024, she swam three successful relays and has coached other swimmers to successful relay crossings. Hildi also loves the meditation of following the black line and has completed various extreme pool challenges including a 24 hour, "swim a mile on the hour, every hour, for 24 hours" swim.
Hildi is an ex-headteacher who now works mainly as a lifeguard and swimming coach.

 Kerry Pool P2P Coach 

  James Casey P2P Coach

 Nigel Carrucan P2P Coach
 Nigel has a history of over 40 years in teaching and coaching at all levels of swimming.  He qualified as a   swim England level 4 swimming coach & an open water swimming coach. Nigel's specialties are detailed   stroke analysis, speed improvement & obtaining a high level of fitness. Previously he has been the head   coach at Brighton Swimming Club for nearly 30 years, the Sussex County head coach for 20 years, head   youth coach of the South England region and a British swimming age group coach for 5 years. Nigel has   taken teams to over 20 training camps & competitions across Europe. He has been coaching swimmers   how to swim in the sea for over 20 years. Nigel has produced over 600 county champions, 60 regional   champions & over 200 swimmers to national standard in all four of the strokes & in various distances.   Nigel's approach to coaching is professional, positive and calm. Nigel was a competitive swimmer for many   years & he promotes lifelong sporting participation. Nigel still swims for fitness in the pool & sea.