We are proud to be in collaboration the expert team at Swimming Matters to offer top tier and great value open water coaching tailored to swimmers of all skill levels. All coaches are Swim England/BTF Level 2 qualified in open water and triathlon coaching, equipped to support everyone from first-time open water swimmers to those preparing for major events like the Great North Swim or Ironman.

Whether you’re looking to take your first dip in open water, boost your confidence, or sharpen your competitive edge, we have a  diverse range of coaching sessions designed to meet your needs.

Our Intro to Open Water Swimming and Bespoke 1-1 or 2-1 Coaching sessions are available every Tuesday and Sunday throughout the swim season, providing consistent opportunities for newcomers and those seeking personalised coaching.

In addition to these weekly sessions, we also rotate among our other specialised sessions listed below, ensuring a diverse training schedule that caters to all levels and interests

  1. Event Preparation Workshop
    Tailored for swimmers targeting specific events, enhancing race strategies, and open water skills.
  2. Open Water Skills Workshop
    A deep dive into improving front crawl technique and essential open water competencies like sighting and turning.
  3. Open Water Fitness Session
    A challenging mix of fitness, technique, and open water skills designed to elevate your swimming performance.
  4. Breaststroke to Front Crawl Workshop
    Ideal for breaststroke swimmers transitioning to front crawl, focusing on technique and efficiency.

Each swim night features one of these rotating sessions alongside our regular offerings, allowing you to plan and progress according to your training needs and goals.

Explore our sessions in more detail below to find the perfect fit to achieve your open water swimming goals.

All sessions are booked online and in advance via the Book Now button 

Intro to Open Water Swimming

Overview

Start your open water swimming journey with our Intro to Open Water Swimming session. Designed for beginners, this session equips you with the fundamental skills necessary for safety and enjoyment in the open water. Perfect for those new to the environment or looking to refine their basic skills.

No wetsuit? No problem, we include use of our hire wetsuits free of charge for the intro session. Wetsuits are optional.

What You Will Learn

  • Safety First: Understand the safety protocols of open water swimming, including how to deal with various water conditions.
  • Basic Techniques: Learn essential swimming techniques that are unique to open water, such as navigating without lane lines.
  • Comfort in Water: Build confidence and comfort, learning how to stay calm and controlled in an open water setting.
  • Swimming Efficiency: Techniques to help you swim more efficiently in a natural environment.

Session Details

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Instructor: Coach Lucy (Swimming Matters)
  • Location: Salford Watersports Centre
  • Cost: £20 per person

When

  • Every Sunday 09:45 – 10:30
  • Every Tuesday 19:15 – 20:00 from 14th May

Prerequisites

  • Ability to comfortably swim 200 meters on your front out of your depth.

Who Should Attend? This session is ideal for anyone new to open water swimming or those who wish to solidify their basic open water skills. Whether you’re transitioning from pool swimming or just starting your swimming adventure, our introductory session will provide you with the tools to swim safely and enjoyably in open water.

Prepare for your next open water event with our focused 45-minute Open Water Event Prep session. Whether you’re a triathlete, a charity swim participant, or aiming to tackle your first open water race, this session is designed to boost your performance and strategy. With quality coaching tailored to event-specific skills, you’ll leave more confident and ready to take on any challenge.

What You Will Learn

  • Event Strategies: Gain insights into effective strategies for open water racing, including pacing and positioning.
  • Preparation Tips: Learn how to prepare for a swim event or a casual swim in open water, including nutrition and mental preparation.
  • Swimming Techniques: Enhance your skills in key areas such as sighting, turning, and drafting, crucial for efficient swimming in open waters.
  • Wetsuit and Skins Swimming: Receive tips on choosing the right gear for different conditions and mastering the use of wetsuits and skins for better performance.

Session Details

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Instructor: Coach Lucy (Swimming Matters)
  • Location: Salford Watersports Centre
  • Cost: £12 per person

When

Sunday 10:45 – 11:30

  • 5th May, 12th May,  2nd June, 23rd June

Tuesday 18:30 – 19:15

  • 13th May, 4th June

Prerequisites

  • Participants should have completed an introductory course to open water swimming or possess equivalent experience in open water.
  • Comfortable swimming at least 300 meters in open water.

Who Should Attend? This session is perfect for swimmers of all levels* who are targeting open water events, including triathlons and charity swims. Whether you are looking to improve your time, increase your comfort in the water, or just sharpen your race tactics, our Open Water Event Prep will provide the guidance and techniques you need.

*Must be able to swim 300m unaided

Open Water Skills Workshop

Overview
Elevate your front crawl in the open water with our Open Water Skills Workshop. This 45-minute session is designed to refine your front crawl technique and enhance your overall open water skills. Whether you’re preparing for a race or simply aiming to improve your swimming efficiency, this workshop is tailored to help you swim smarter and faster.

What You Will Learn

  • Stroke Techniques: Explore the mechanics of the front crawl, focusing on aspects like arm placement, breathing, and efficient kicking.
  • Open Water Techniques: Master key open water skills including sighting, which helps you navigate and maintain a straight course; turning, to efficiently change direction around buoys; and drafting
  • Efficiency and Speed: Learn how to combine your stroke techniques with open water skills to increase your swimming efficiency and speed.

Session Details

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Instructor: Certified open water swim coach
  • Location: [Insert Location]
  • Cost: £12 per person

When

Sunday 10:45 – 11:30

  • 26th May, 30th June

Tuesday 18:30 – 19:15

  • 11th June, 2nd July

Prerequisites

  • Participants should be able to swim 200 meters on their front out of their depth and have a minimum of 100 meters continuous front crawl.
  • Previous completion of the intro to open water session or equivalent open water experience is required.

Who Should Attend? This workshop is perfect for swimmers who are familiar with open water but want to improve their front crawl and open water skills.

Open Water Fitness Session

Overview
Maximize your swimming potential with our Open Water Fitness Session. This 45-minute session is a structured workout that combines fitness training, open water skills, and stroke technique enhancements. Designed for swimmers looking to challenge their endurance and improve their performance, this session offers a comprehensive approach to open water swimming.

What You Will Learn

  • Fitness Training: Engage in swimming drills that enhance endurance and strength specific to open water conditions.
  • Stroke Technique: Improve your stroke efficiency with targeted techniques that boost speed and reduce fatigue.
  • Open Water Skills: Practice skills such as navigation, buoy turning, and effective drafting to better handle the dynamics of open water.

Session Details

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Instructor: Coach Lucy (Swimming Matters)
  • Location: Salford Watersports Centre
  • Cost: £12 per person

When

Sunday 10:45 – 11:15

  • 19th May, 16th June

Tuesday 18:30 – 19:15

  • 28th May, 25th June

Prerequisites

  • Ability to swim a minimum of 500 meters in open water.
  • Completion of an intro to open water swimming or equivalent experience.

Who Should Attend? This session is ideal for swimmers who have a solid foundation in open water swimming and are looking to boost their fitness level, refine their technique, or prepare for competitive events. Whether your goal is to improve your race time or increase your swimming efficiency, our Open Water Fitness Session will provide the training you need.

Breaststroke to Front Crawl Workshop

Overview
Transition smoothly from breaststroke to front crawl with our Breaststroke to Front Crawl Workshop. This 45-minute session is specially designed for swimmers who mainly swim breaststroke or basic front crawl and are looking to learn or improve their front crawl.

Whether you’re aiming for more speed in the water or seeking a new challenge, this workshop will provide the guidance and techniques you need to make the switch effectively.

What You Will Learn

  • Technique Transition: Understand the key differences between breaststroke and front crawl and how to adapt your swimming style accordingly.
  • Front Crawl Fundamentals: Learn the basics of front crawl, including proper arm strokes, leg kicks, breathing techniques, and body positioning.
  • Efficiency and Speed: Learn how to swim front crawl more efficiently to conserve energy and increase speed.
  • Personalised Feedback: Receive tailored advice and corrections to refine your technique and build confidence.

Session Details

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Instructor: Coach Lucy (Swimming Matters)
  • Location: Salford Watersports Centre
  • Cost: £12 per person

When

Sunday 10:45 – 11:30

  • 9th June & 7th July

Tuesday 18:30 – 19:15

  • 21st May & 18th June

Prerequisites

  • Comfortable swimming a minimum of 200 meters breaststroke out of your depth.

Who Should Attend? This workshop is ideal for swimmers who are comfortable with breaststroke but want to enhance their swimming repertoire with front crawl. It is perfect for those looking to improve their speed, participate in triathlons, or simply enjoy a new swimming style.

Bespoke 1-1 or 2-1 Open Water Coaching

Overview
Customise your training with our Bespoke 1-1 or 2-1 Open Water Coaching sessions. Each 30-minute session is crafted to address your specific open water swimming goals, whether you’re aiming to enhance your technique, build your confidence, or prepare for a competitive event. Our expert coach will provide personalised guidance to ensure that you make the most out of every swim.

  • Personalised Technique Improvement: Focus on your technique with personalized feedback aimed at enhancing your stroke efficiency and open water skills.
  • Goal-Oriented Training: Sessions are tailored to your specific objectives, whether it’s improving endurance, mastering specific skills like sighting and turning, or preparing for open water events.
  • Cold-Water Adaptation: Learn strategies to handle cold water conditions, helping you swim safely and effectively all year round.

Session Details

  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Instructor: Coach Lucy (Swimming Matters)
  • Location: Salford Watersports Centre
  • Cost: £27 per session, same price for either one or two participants.

When

  • Every Sunday 09:15 – 09:45
  • Every Tuesday 18:00 – 18:30 from 14th May

Special Offer

  • Bring a friend for free! It’s the same price for two people, so share the experience and achieve your goals together.

Who Should Attend? These sessions are ideal for any swimmer looking to receive focused, individualised coaching in open water. Perfect for beginners seeking extra support or advanced swimmers focusing on specific goals.

Limited spaces available

Click the book now button to check availability and to book