Ryan Stramrood is a South African extreme open water and ice swimmer who is renowned for pushing boundaries of human endurance. Now as a seasoned presenter and magnificent storyteller, Ryan takes audiences on an incredible journey.
Ryan’s swimming career is marked by numerous achievements and world records that have seen him push boundaries of human capability. He has completed over 120 crossings between Robben Island and the South African mainland, as well as becoming the first person to swim the 33km across False Bay from Miller’s Point to Rooi-Els, completing it in 8 hours and 39 minutes. He is also the first person to complete the Big 5 Swims in Western Cape Waters. He was part of the team that completed the first official “Ice Mile” south of the Antarctic Circle in minus one degrees. His impressive swimming career has made Ryan a three-time Guinness World Record Holder, achieving world records for the most Robben Island crossings by an individual swimmer, completing the first official “Ice Mile” in Antarctica and for achieving the fastest solo swim across False Bay. His career displays his resilience and determination, which he touches on in his speaking engagements, emphasising the mental challenges of extreme swimming. Ryan is the Founding Member of the International Ice Swimming Association, where he promotes and regulates the sport of ice swimming globally. In addition to this, Ryan operates a media sales business in Cape Town, displaying his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to balance business responsibilities with his passion for extreme swimming and motivational speaking.
Ryan’s experiences have led him to share insights into his adventures in his book Push Past Impossible. His storytelling extends beyond his book, with him offering a glimpse into the mindset required to tackle formidable challenges in his speaking engagements. Ryans speaking engagements are engaging, transporting audiences into the heart of his adventures, connecting the challenges he faces on his adventures to the workplace and providing actionable solutions to overcome both. If you are looking for a speaker for your next event, do not hesitate to hire Ryan today!
Books
Push Past Impossible
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events:
I couldn’t possibly go another minute without telling you how stunning Ryan was yesterday. You have to see him to believe it! At one stage I was in tears! The audience could not get enough of him, he is very special – a true mensch. Salt of the earth type! He speaks beautifully – he is funny, he is modest. He deserves everything that the good universe has to give. - Ana-Maria, Director, Dictum Publishers
He had the audience glued to his talk, and his video got a standing ovation. Most of the audience, including myself, had a big lump in our throats. - Joe, Talent Manager
He’s a raving lunatic who really should be in a mental institution. - Gareth, Cliff Central
Ryan is a great story teller with seriously impressive achievements in open water and ice swimming. - Lewis, Author and Ocean Advocate
Ryan was flippen amazing. In Afrikaans – my mother tongue – asemrowend! Swim schools in Jozi are just about to get really busy – lots of ladies keen. I am planning a similar event for my other clients – I would love to book him again.- Tracey, Managing Director, Blueprint Agency
His story is so inspiring that I have been thinking about it all day. I feel honoured to have been in the audience listening to him today. - Candice, Business Development at EnterpriseCloud
- 2025 - Owner of Stamrood Connect
- 2025 - Motivational Speaker
- 2025 - Corporate Performance Coach
- 2025 - Extreme Swimming Adventurer
- 2024 - Global Head of Business Development, Partnerships & Growth
How to hire Ryan Stramrood
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Ryan Stramrood for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
