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.
