About Us
SwimWell is a leader in Adult Swimming Improvement in the pool and Open Water.
​
From complete beginners to elite swimmers and triathletes we've got you covered.
​
Based on the proven Total Immersion methodology, we coach in the water with you all the way.
​
Based in Melbourne, Victoria we conduct Swim Clinics and Camps Australia wide.
SwimWell Founder - Peter Hendriks
Unlike many other coaches, Peter started his swimming career later in life. He was a senior WAFL footballer and a State and Australian junior athletics representative and also enjoyed surfing.
After a near drowning event, Peter taught himself to swim and went on to win an U12 school swimming trophy at school. But football and athletics dominated his sporting life, so he did not actively restart swimming again until the year 2000.
As a result, he is very empathetic and understands the challenges faced by the majority of Adults and triathletes wanting to either learn or to improve their swimming.
Peter learnt to coach in the USA under the tutelage of 7 time US College Coach of the Year, Terry Laughlin (RIP), (founder of Total Immersion).
Peter’s knowledge, patient style and passion for continuous improvement and teaching, is what sets him apart from other coaches. He has a proven track record with complete beginners, water phobics, right through to elite and National level swimmers.
Peter has become one of Australia’s leading technique coaches and people have travelled from all parts of the globe to learn from him.
In more recent times Swimwell have included the operations of High Performance swim squads at the prestigious Melbourne Girls Grammar.
Peter is an accomplished Open Water Swimmer and has participated in 1000’s of Open Water Swims and Marathons. Swimwell have taught more than 8000 swimmers who have learnt how to reduce drag, and swim easier, further, and faster than ever before.
Peter’s goal is to educate coaches and swimmers on how to instruct and swim the Swimwell way, a way in which every person can swim efficiently, for whatever purpose they choose, either for performance, health and wellbeing , or for sheer pleasure.
Swimwell are recognised leaders in Victoria in the world of Open Water and Cold Water swim programs, squads and camps.
Coach - Charlie Evans
Small business operator, swim coach, teacher of adults and TAFE teacher, married with two adult daughters, living in Melbourne.
​
Assoc Dip Hort, Dip Training and assessment, ASCTA licenced development coach, Coach of Open Water swimming, AUSTSWIM teacher of water safety, Adults, and competitive strokes. Swimwell Academy. LSV Silver patrol captain
Areas of Specialisation: Teaching and mentoring, coaching and Event management, Open Water Swim coaching, Swim Technique specialist, water safety, and building confidence and overcoming fear in the water.
Proudest Achievements: include Completing a range of IRONMAN events, Multiple Rottnest Channel Swims (20km open water), marathon swims, team English Channel crossings, Ultra 24km marathon swim, Melbourne Marathon sub 4hrs, Oxfam Trailwalker every year & a podium finish in the Barwon Heads triathlon. My biggest reward comes from seeing swimmers become confident and skilled and find joy and wellbeing in the water, my greatest achievement is receiving positive feedback and energy from swimmers. Mentoring in resilience and a range of life skills. I have recently achieved Grandpa status.
​
Community: The best part of this role is being able to work with the open water swim community from across the globe; I am a people person and love building strong relationships with swimmers at all levels and helping people reach their goals no matter how big or small. I am a both a lifetime and daily swimmer and enjoy sharing that journey with others.
I love the story, “the why” and am less impressed by high performance than by adversity and resilience. Active patrolling member at WSLSC
Nicholas Robertson is a dedicated and passionate swimmer who has achieved numerous goals in marathon and ultra-distance swimming. His journey includes completing multiple U24 ultra swims, winter RIP crossings, embarking on swim adventures across the UK, and competing in races in Malaysia.
After transitioning from a corporate career, Nicholas found solace and fulfillment in open water swimming, leading him to a rewarding coaching career. Nicholas recently served as the interim Head Coach at Melbourne Girls Grammar School, where he fostered a competitive and supportive community, helping students realise their potential at the State and National levels. While Nicholas shares his expertise in both open water and pool environments, he is most at home guiding adults from his kayak in Port Phillip Bay.
His involvement in swimming extends beyond coaching; he is actively engaged in Fear of Water training, triathlon preparation, and developing specialised programs for swimmers with ambitious goals. Nicholas is committed to helping others in the water, whether overcoming their fears or achieving their dreams.
An avid reader and adventurer, Nicholas constantly seeks out new experiences. His deep passion for the sea drives him, as he believes it provides the ultimate remedy for the mind, body, and spirit.
Coach - Nicholas Robertson
Ashleigh Webb is an ultra marathon swimmer who loves introducing all ages and backgrounds to water for personal empowerment, growth and community.
Ashleigh is an AustSwim Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety and a former development coach at the Australian Institute of Sport. She loves delivering stroke correction tune-ups and personalising beginner lessons for maximum results.
Ashleigh was a state and national swimmer, joining the NSW All Schools Swim Team at 11 years old. During high school she played on the Newcastle Women’s Waterpolo team, and represented the ANU Owls at the Australian University Games during her tertiary studies.
Despite growing up in a surf lifesaving community, Ashleigh didn’t embark on her first ocean swim race until she was 28 years old, breaking a seven year hiatus from sport with a 1km dash at the Huskisson Triathlon Festival. By the end of the year she had completed her first 10km marathon, and in 2023 she swam the English Channel solo to raise money for her youth mental health charity, the Kallan Lodge Library.
Ashleigh has gone on to complete the Triple Crown of Australian Marathon Swimming and currently is training for her solo North Channel crossing in 2025.
Ashleigh regularly swims with our morning ocean squads, practising what she preaches by using the open water to manage her own wellbeing. She documents this training online to promote neurodiversity, mental wellbeing, and suicide prevention.
Coach - Ashleigh Webb
Shazza Shepherd started coaching at Swimwell at the end of a 20 year schools swimming program carreer, in September of 2021.
​
She has successfully swum the Rottnest Channel swim Solo, Duo and in Teams, and has completed a 12km and full 24km U24 swim. Future prospects are GKIS in late August 2024, and who knows from there.
Sharon has held her Austswim Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety qualifications for 20 years and has recently completed her Swim Australia Teacher of Competitive Strokes and intro to development coaching course.
​
She has recently relocated to Brisbane and is looking forward to developing Swimwell Adult swimming clinics - delivering stroke correction and tune-ups to the wider community of the QLD area over the coming months. ​
Coach - Shazza Shepherd
Social Content Creator and Administrator -
Pam Hendriks
Though not an open water swimmer herself, Pam, as Peter's wife, has been part of the SwimWell story since its inception.
Drawing on her background in design & consulting, and great love of travel, she is also the brains behind Swimwell’s Aqua Travel adventures on the Amalfi Coast.
Those of you who have participated in swim camps & swim events may know her as part of our support team.
Social Content Creator and Administrator - Brittany Stack
Daughter of Coach Peter and Pam
​
Mum of a 2 year old who loves swimming much to his Opa Pete’s delight!
​
Lover of the water, though not a “swimmer” myself (…yet)
​
Providing social media & admin support to Swimwell along side working in the fashion industry
Total Immersion
​
TI is a unique Adult swimming education program
Swimming in Australia is ever increasing in popularity, however the percentage of swimmers with good technique is relatively small.
Recent Government research suggests that 85% of school children leave school without being able to swim. This has sparked enormous funding in an effort to reduce that number. 90% of the children asked if they could swim said “Yes”, but could not meet the minimum standard of being able to swim 100M in less than 4 minutes.
These children turn into adults that say they can swim.
Total Immersion (TI) is a Global technique correction program that brings results far quicker than conventional methods and helps any student master a fluent, effective and efficient technique that makes swimming more satisfying and enjoyable.
Different programs have been developed to meet the needs of All levels from beginners to elite swimmers and from teenagers to seniors.
Total Immersion founder, Terry Laughlin, has always dreamed of “A world where people can swim any distance as easily as they might go for a stroll” and TI Melbourne senior coach Peter Hendriks is passionate about making that a reality.
​
Terry Laughlin passed away in October 2017 as a result of prostate cancer. His goal was to teach as many people how to achieve “walking”, “jogging” and “running” options in water. Peter’s life ambition is to continue the great work started by Terry.
FAQ
​
Where do I start if I am learning how to swim?
That is a great question, and there is so much information made available to us online it is hard to know who to trust and where to begin. We would suggest heading over to our Complete Beginner page which gives you the rundown of your options when you are beginning your swimming journey.
Where can I find people to open water swim with in Melbourne?
We would love to welcome you to one of our Open Water Squads (link this) where you will meet a range of open water swimmers. You can also have a look at our Open Water Community (link this) page which shows you a list of the community swims that we are aware of.
Why do I find it so hard to swim fast when I am a strong athlete?
Swimming quickly and efficiently is based around technique and simply trying to turn your arms over as quickly as you can will often have the opposite effect and actually make you slower. Therefore your fitness levels may be high but that will not help you swim faster until you take the time to slow down and understand about technique and build from there.
How do I get over my fear of jellyfish?
Exposure tends to be the best way of dealing with nervousness around jellyfish and other sea creatures. One of our community members says that she imagines the jellyfish as her own personal cheer squad cheering her on which is a fabulous way of turning that fear around.
How do I train for a long swim?
If you are training for a 10km marathon swim or for any other swimming challenge please talk to us (link to Peter email) as we can provide you with a training plan. If we have enough interest in a particular event we would look at creating squad sessions centred around this event, so please reach out if you have an event in mind as other people may have expressed an interest and we can create a training package for you.
Is open water swimming in cold water good for you?
There are so many benefits of open water swimming in cold water, starting from increased blood circulation as well as creating an exhilarating natural high. Furthermore you are burning calories as well as creating a positive outlet to deal with stress. There are, of course, risks that are associated with swimming in cold water and you should never swim alone.
