Ryan Stramrood is a South African extreme open water and ice swimmer who has established himself over the past 12+ years as a top level inspirational and performance keynote presenter. He is renowned for pushing boundaries of human endurance as one of the world's most extreme swimmers having challenged human boundaries in some of the planets most hostile and frigid waters.
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. 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. Ryan's speaking engagements are engaging, transports 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. Ryan works with organisations of all sizes and engages individuals across every level of the corporate ladder. His sessions go far beyond traditional keynotes—they're immersive experiences that combine genuine inspiration with actionable insights and practical strategies. As a catalyst for mindset shifts, he empowers audiences to unlock their true potential and pursue what they’re genuinely capable of achieving. With a compelling and effortless stage presence, Ryan delivers a blend of motivation, practical tools, and entertainment. 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:
Thank you! Your presentation was beyond inspiring and like Tam said we have used your messaging to challenge ourselves and others. It’s those small moments in time that can really change people and the world around us and you deliver just that! So a big thank you from me as well. - Dan, CEO, Maytronics - Australia
I travel the world and attend conferences across the globe. I see the best of the best in main platform speakers and guest speakers but I was astounded and inspired by Ryan Stramrood. When I was fortunate to see him present on one of his favourite topics, I was mesmerise and felt like I was right with him in Antarctica, could feel the cold go through my body and veins and felt his pain - I was there when his mind and body overcame the brick wall over the last 100 meters of his sub-zero, ice-challenge. Ryan is an amazing and incredible story teller and presenter! He will take you with him all the way and make you part of his storyline. I can highly recommend corporates and any other entities to make use of Ryan to inspire, EMPOWER and motivate their employees, teams and management or memberships of affiliations. Ryan is also one of the nicest personalities around and easy to deal with. WOW! - Kobus, CFP, Liblink
Ryan Stramrood, your story not only entertained and inspired us deeply while touching our audience emotionally, it positively moved mindsets and lifted the lid on what is possible. - Berry, Group CEO at Chas Everitt International Property Group
GREAT PRESENTATION Ryan - man you had the audience freezing in the Antarctic with you, dodging Leopard seals and feeling your pain and learning how to push past their own impossibles. THANK YOU. - Barry, COO at Chas Everitt International Property Group
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
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.
