FAQs

Our Summer program runs at Swansea Swim Centre with Coach Spot will be running a comprehensive pool program. In winter we swim all pool sessions at Charlestown Pool.

All swimmers need flippers & we give 1 week grace with purchasing a pull buoy & band for your ankles (old bike tube cut in 1/2). Some swimmers use swim snorkels for warm-ups & you can use paddles. Make sure you have a swim cap & we advise having 2 pairs of goggles. Johnsons Baby Shampoo is the best anti-fog.

Stroke correction: You need flippers & please make sure you buy these in advance! If you cannot swim 200 metres you will also need a kick-board. Any flippers are good except long, dive flippers - most people use body surfing type of flippers.

All Pool swim squads are run through Lake Macquarie Council (not via Lake Mac Multisport). Pool Entry is included in all pool squads!

We run a weekly Stroke Correction Squad from 1 - 2pm on Saturdays. We also run clinics and 1 on 1 Stroke Correction Lessons. If you want to swim in the surf but cannot swim the 1km minimum safety standard then these are a great place to start! See our Stroke Correction page under ‘Swimming’ in the top menu for more info.

Rookie Open Water Swim Squads: if you can swim 1km non-stop freestyle you can attend rookie surf swim squads. This is non-negotiable.

Experienced Open Water Swim Squads: you need to be able to comfortably swim 2km non-stop freestyle & be prepared to swim anywhere from 3 - 5km! We often swim out headlands & chase big waves when the swell is up! If in doubt start with Rookie squads as we often get a wide range of swimmers from slow to fast in this group!

Surf Swim Private lessons: you only have to be confident in the water without any specific minimum standard - yes breast-stroke is OK but freestyle is preferred! Either way Coach Spot will give you a fun lesson!

Make sure you have a swim cap & we advise having 2 pairs of goggles. Johnsons Baby Shampoo is the best anti-fog. From May to November most swimmers wear wetsuits anywhere from a surfing wetsuit to a specific swim/ triathlon wetsuit. Some of our swimmers go year round no wettie - bravo!

Yep Coach Spot can private lessons in as big as you want!

we are a wetsuit friendly swim group! A few tips for wetsuits - 1. You may feel claustrophobic when you first wear one! 2. Wetsuits are a great floating device - if you are a rookie swimmer consider purchasing a wetsuit. 3. If you feel the cold wear a wettie - it’s a game changer! Read Coach Spot’s comprehensive wetsuit guide here: https://www.oceanswims.com/item/169-june-24-2020.html