We've collected information about some of the open water swim training squads and groups based around the greater Melbourne and Geelong area, aimed at developing skills and fitness for open water swimming.
If you're not sure if you're ready for open water racing or your swimming ability is up to the challenge, or if you just want to improve from last year's results, try a few training sessions first before the season starts.
Join one of the open water swimming groups listed below or try a Masters Swimming Victoria club. You'll get far more out of training with a squad.
Some of these are commercial enterprises, while others may require you to join their group for a fee. Inclusion of any groups in the list below does not imply that the Casey Seals endorse them in any way, nor do we receive any money for this.
For more information about open water swim training, the Victorian Open Water Swimming Calendar, Masters Swimming Victoria or any of the Victorian open water swims, please email Greg Chaplin at ows@caseyseals.com.au (no unsolicited commercial emails please).
You're welcome to come down to our training sessions with the Casey Seals Masters Swimming Club at the Casey ARC pool at Fountain Gate. Your swimming will improve when training with us and you'll enjoy it much more than by yourself. And on top of that, your first four training sessions with us are FREE - how good's that!?
Our list of OWS training squads and groups is published as a free service to the open water swimming community in Victoria and inclusion in the list is free.
If you would like to add or update the details of your squad or group in the list below, please email us at ows@caseyseals.com.au (no unsolicited commercial emails please).
Don't just swim in the open water season. Train and compete all year round with one of over 30 Masters Swimming Victoria clubs, including the Casey Seals.
And over the open water season, you can have the added enjoyment of swimming at the open water events with your club teammates.
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who may be a bit nervous about competing in open water swimming events, especially if you are new to the sport.
To see what we've got for you or to find a club to join, go to the Masters Swimming Victoria website.
Event/Squad details | Where | Contact |
Melbourne Open Water Swim Club
Technique and stroke focused open water swim training in the bay with a qualified OWS coach. This is perfect for pool swimmers and triathletes getting ready for the summer swimming season. |
Williamstown beach, Gloucester Reserve, in front of the Williamstown S&LSC. |
Website: williamstownopenwaterswimcoaching.com Contact: Jason Bryce admin@melbourneopenwaterswimmingclub.org |
AquaEdge Swim Academy
AquaEdge is a specialist open-water swim school, offering expert-led sessions to help you build endurance, hone technique, and enjoy every stroke. |
South Melbourne, Elwood and Brighton |
Website: aquaedge.com.au Contact: andy@aquaedge.com.au |
SwimWell
SwimWell is a specialist open-water swim school covering everyone from beginners to elite swimmers and triathletes. Their coaches are very active in the Melbourne open water swimming community. |
Various locations in Melbourne's southern suburbs. |
Website: swimwell.com.au Contact: peter@swimwell.com.au |
The Bay Open Water Swimmers
The Bay Open Water Swimmers is a swimming group, not a club. They have regular swims all year round at Half Moon Bay in Black Rock, including Friday nights, Saturday & Sunday mornings. |
Half Moon Bay, Black Rock |
Facebook: Bay Open Water Swimmers |
Mentone Pink Caps
The Mentone Pink Caps are a community open water swimming group based out of Mentone Lifesaving Club. |
Mentone LSC, Beach Rd Mentone. (opposite Kitchener St) |
Website: mentonelsc.com Email: pinkcaps@mentonelsc.com |
Boroughcoutas
The Boroughcoutas ran the very popular Blue Water Challenge for many years upto 2017. A number of keen swimmers swim at Point Lonsdale over the summer months on Sunday morning at 9:00am, and often on Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 am. Meet on the foreshore between Kirk Road and the shops. Swimmers generally stay for a cuppa at Pasquinis after the swim. |
Point Lonsdale |
Website: www.boroughcoutas.org |
Mt Martha Icebergers
A group associated with the Mt Martha Lifesaving Club, swimming all year. |
Mt Martha LSC |
Website: mmlsc.com.au Contact: Kaye Jarrott Email: icebergers@mmlsc.com.au |
John Van Wisse
John Van Wisse is a champion open water swimmer with an incredible history of racing. He runs open water swim training as well as pool squads. |
Half Moon Bay, Beach Road, Black Rock |
Website: johnvanwisse.com |
Peninsula Pirates
The Peninsula Pirates are a social group dedicated to open water swimming. |
Olivers Hill boat ramp, Frankston | |
Brighton Icebergers
The Brighton Icebergers train year round, based at the Middle Brighton Seabaths and next door at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (RBYC) . Contact the Baths for more details. |
Middle Brighton Seabaths |
Website: Icebergers at Brighton Baths |
Casey Seals Masters Swimming Club publishes this list of open water swim training squads and events as a service to the Victorian open water swimming community. The inclusion of a squad, group, event or organisation in this list is not a recommendation by the Club as to the suitability, qualifications or any other aspect of these groups, events or organisations.
All care has been taken to ensure that the information contained on this page is accurate, but Casey Seals Masters Swimming Club accepts no liability for any error or misprint and makes no guarantee of its accuracy.
If you didn't find what you were looking for on this page, or would like to browse for more information about open water swimming or beach & water conditions, try these pages: