Great Ocean Training

“Don’t be the athlete that just finishes the race, be the athlete that enjoys the race” - Sam Sheppard

Welcome to the Great Ocean Training platform! 

At Great Ocean Wetsuits, we believe in delivering more than just high-quality wetsuits and accessories. We are passionate about the holistic improvement of swimmers and triathletes of all skill levels and athletic goals, so we have designed a platform that works alongside our wetsuit range to help you meet your potential in the water. 

We recognise that wetsuits are only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to performance in the water. That is why we are providing our customers and athletes with a range of online tools, aimed at all levels of swimming ability, to improve their training, technique, skills and race strategies. 

Purchase any wetsuit and receive a 2-year free subscription to our Great Ocean Training platform 

The Great Ocean Training platform has been designed to provide simple, online tools and resources for you to utilise at your convenience. The resources include:

  • Common goal-specific training plans 
  • Instructional skills and technique videos 
  • Step-by-step swimming courses 
  • Swimming-specific dryland workouts 

Use this platform to enhance your training and preparation anywhere at any time. 

All resources within the Great Ocean Training platform have been curated (and/or specifically prepared) by the founders of Great Ocean Wetsuits, Sam Sheppard and Hamish McDougall, in collaboration with various coaches and athletes. 

What type of swimmer does this platform support? 

We are NOT just for ocean swimmers; we are a platform for ALL swimmers.  

A swimming level for everyone

Great Ocean Training offers four swimming levels to accommodate every type of swimmer. These levels are categorised as beginner, novice, amateur, and elite. The three-tiered system allows the training platform to individually support each athlete, enabling them to enhance their swimming abilities and achieve their personal goals.

Do not need a wetsuit but would like access to Great Ocean Training 

We understand that not everyone needs or wants a wetsuit. Therefore, we also offer Great Ocean Training subscriptions.

Who are the coaches behind the Great Ocean Training platform

Hamish McDougall

Co-Founder of Great Ocean Wetsuits, Hamish McDougal is an ex-swimmer turned coach, he has a wealth of knowledge about what is required in and out of the water to make a great athlete. 

As an athlete, he competed nationally and internationally, gaining experiences and connections globally. Throughout his career, he raced across surf lifesaving, open water, and pool swimming. 

After completing at an elite level, he moved into coaching and is our resident go-to man for sports physiology and biomechanics of swimming. With experience coaching and teaching across all abilities and ages, he understands that different athletes have different needs. He has settled into a position coaching national-level athletes in both open water and pool swimming. 

His passion for swimming and the ocean developed at a young age, loving water and the beach. As he progressed on his journey through swimming, his competitive side took hold and allowed him to compete at the top level. His goal as a coach now is to help you understand what you need to do to become the best athlete you can be. He also wants to develop happy, healthy, and balanced long-term athletes who see swimming as a lifestyle choice rather than just a competitive one.

Sam Sheppard

Co-founder of Great Ocean Wetsuits, Sam Sheppard, is a former Australian Open Water swimmer who is passionate about inspiring others to challenge themselves and achieve their swimming goals. Sam brings over 15 years of experience swimming and coaching in both the pool and ocean, and enjoys utilising his knowledge from elite sport to help swimmers of all abilities to make the most out of being in the water.

Sam's acknowledges the importance of training working with your lifestyle so that it is sustainable and enjoyable. Sam’s coaching philosophy is centred around his passion for helping athletes reach their potential so that they not only finish the swim, but enjoy the swim. 

Sam’s athletic achievements include:

  • Australian Swim Team member (number 763)
  • 6th place at the 2015 FINA World Championships (Kazan, Russia) in the 25km Open Water Swim
  • 7x Pier to Pub Ocean Swim race champion and current race record holder
  • Multiple top-10 finishes at the FINA World Cup Open Water Series in the 10 km Open Water Swim
  • National Champion and medallist across Surf Lifesaving, open water and pool swimming events
  • 2019 Rottnest Channel Swim Champion

What is included in the membership?

  • The Simple Method to Fast Easy Freestyle (8-week course)
  • The Simple Method to Open Water and Triathlon Swimming (6-week course)
  • Freestyle catch course (4-week course)
  • Goal-specific triathlon swimming programs (Sprint, Olympic, & Half and full Ironman)
  • Freestyle error fixer: identify the most common freestyle mistakes and learn how to correct them.
  • Freestyle drill library: Discover the top drills to improve your stroke efficiency
  • Question and answer forum board

More training content will be uploaded regularly as we look to grow the platform

Frequently asked questions

Is membership possible without purchasing a wetsuit?

Absolutely, membership to the Great Ocean Training platform can be obtained without a wetsuit purchase at a cost of:

  • Annual Membership - $120 (amounting to $10 per month); or
  • Monthly Membership - $180 when paid monthly (amounting to $15 per month).

When you join, you will receive instant access and receive the first four weeks on us.

Can I get a refund if the online training platform doesn't meet my needs

Yes,

  • Annual Membership - If you decide to cancel within the first 30 days, a full refund will be issued. 
  • Monthly Membership – You can cancel anytime with access retained to Great Ocean Training until the following month, when the payment would have been received.  

How is the membership processed once I've bought a wetsuit?

If purchasing online, you will receive a confirmation email, along with another email from Great Ocean Wetsuits containing a one-time login code for you to use on our Great Ocean Training platform.

If purchasing from one of our stores, you will receive a one-time login code when you supply your email upon purchase.

Is the Great Ocean Training platform only online?

Yes, our membership service is fully online. This setup facilitates flexibility, allowing you to complete training sessions and courses at your convenience to fit around your individual schedule.

As a casual swimmer with not much experience, will this online platform be suitable for me?

Certainly. Our platform has been designed and developed to suit various swimming abilities and goals (beginner, novice, amateur, and elite). This structure ensures specific coaching tailored to your ability. As a beginner, you will progressively aim to move up to the novice level within a few months, with the rest of the journey dependent on your time commitment, and determination.

As a triathlete, will this platform improve my swim leg?

Yes. We have designed our platform to support triathletes to increase their swimming speed and endurance so that they exit the swim ready for the next leg of the race. Our platform and training programs support all triathlon distances. 

Will I be able to find the right resources for my needs?

Yes. We have designed our platform so that our resources are easy to navigate according to your training and racing objectives. For example, if you have a specific goal or upcoming race, the platform will guide you towards one of our goal-focused training programs.