Swim squad

White

Training frequency: 1 times a week

FUNdamentals (Phase 1): development of fundamental swimming skills, building on key stroke techniques within a fun and structured environment. Students will also begin to develop general strength and endurance in this low intensity squad.

Bronze

Training frequency: 2 times a week

Training to Train (Phase 2): Development of the student's fundamental movement skills and overall physical capacity. Students will engage in activities designed to develop speed, swimming-specific skills and aerobic base. Coaches will educate students on swimming etiquette and will introduce swimmers to using the pace clock in training.

Silver

Training frequency: 4 times a week

Training to Compete (Phase 3): To optimise fitness preparation, competition-specific skills and performance. Students will learn competition skills under a variety of competitive conditions during training sessions. Coaches will begin to develop individual fitness preparations for students, including how and when to stretch, basic nutrition and appropriate hydration for swimmers.

Gold

Training frequency: 5 times a week

Training to Perform (Phase 4): Athletes in Gold Squad are trained to maximum performance and peak for major competitions. Training is high in both intensity and volume, with periodic training sessions developed in conjunction with competition-specific activities. Coaches actively plan recovery periods to prevent athletes over training.

• Passes are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. You can track your visits and pass expiry easily via My Swim

• Squad passes are only valid for use by the family members registered to the pass when purchased. Passes that are being shared between children need to be purchased at reception (not online).

• A credit will be provided if a session that has started is cancelled by the centre due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather conditions.

• Eligible parents, carers and guardians can use their Active and Creative Kids voucher to contribute to the cost of Squad passes. For more information or to obtain a voucher visit service.nsw.gov.au

Buy a multi-visit Squad pass

Our instructors hold either AUSTSWIM (Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety) qualifications or qualification with the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (Swim Australia Teacher). We have teachers with specialised qualification in infant and pre-school aquatics, adult learning, access and inclusion and competition strokes, to ensure your family has the best possible learning experience. In addition to professional qualifications, all Lake Mac Swim Centres program staff receive intensive in-house training to ensure that classes are delivered in accordance with our lesson plans, on-time and to the high standard expected at our centres.

Ben Fricker - Head of Coaching 

Ben has over 16 years of experience working in the aquatic industry.

Ben started out as a Learn to swim teacher, Assistant Coach and Lifeguard at Lake Macquarie City Council in 2009, before moving to Coughlan’s Swim Centre as an Assistant Coach; later transitioning into the Head Coach role. He has travelled Australia annually with National teams competing at the Australian Age, Australian Open Championships and at the Australian Olympic Trials. 

Over the years Ben has coached multiple NSW State and NSW Country medallists, National Age finalists, National Multi-class medallists and Australian Surf medallists. He has put athletes onto the Australian Water polo team, onto the Australian Surf Life Saving team and onto NSW State Squads. Ben has also coached athletes to NSW and Australian record success.

Ben has taken on the new role of Head of Coaching at Lake Macquarie City Council. He is very passionate about health, fun and fitness, and teaching children to learn how to swim in a safe environment.

Qualifications:

Swimming Australia Advanced Coach

Swimming Australia Teacher

Certificate III in Fitness

Certificate IV in Fitness

Royal Lifesaving Pool Lifeguard

Royal Lifesaving Workplace Supervisor

Karen Leth - Charlestown Swim Centre

Karen began her coaching career at Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre and was the assistant coach to Karen Moras. She has worked over the years with coaches such as Kim Taylor and Roger Whitmore, and has had open water age national, national age and state swimmers. Karen coaches junior and senior squads and was the Head Coach for the Lake Macquarie team in the 2017 International Children's Games in Lithuania and recently the 2018 International Children's Games in Jerusalem.

Spot Anderson - Swansea Swim Centre 

Spot Anderson began his coaching career in 1983 whilst studying at University. He coached local swim club kids at Bondi Icebergs pool and hasn't stopped helping people swim since. He has pretty much coached everyone from a baby doing learn to swim through to athletes training for the Olympics & everything in between.  Spot himself has been one of Australia's best all round athlete having competed on WSL World Surf Tour before winning Australia's 1st World Title in 1989 World Triathlon Championships & moving on to Uncle Tobys/ Nutri Grain Ironman Circuit.

Spot competes regularly in ocean swims, surfing, triathlons, SUP/ kayak races and will even have a go in the major fun runs/ marathons. Spot has learnt a lot of tricks from the best in the world over the last 30 years and looks forward to helping the community of Lake Macquarie to achieve their goals.

Spot's sporting resume:

• 1980 - 1986 Australia Titles Surfing & WCT qualifying events including Bells Beach & Billabong Pro.
• 1989 Australian National Series Winner & Australian Triathlete of the Year.
• 1989 Gold Medal Team Australia - World Triathlon Championships Avignon, France.
• 1990 Commonwealth Games Trials Triathlon Winner.
• 1991 - 1996 Uncle Tobys/ Nutri Grain Ironman competitor.
• Ironman Swim Winner 1996 - 1st Pro Ironman Australia & 2014 - 1st age-group overall Ironman Cairns.
• 2001 Australian Sprint Triathlon Champion (35 - 39).
• 2002 & 2004 Australian Surf Ironman Champion (35-39).
• 2006 Coolangatta Gold Surf Ironman Masters Champion.
• 2014 Hawaii Ironman Finisher.
• 2016 Became a dad.