Beginner's corner
Everyone
started somewhere
Every world champion, every weekend warrior, every Saturday swimmer had a day one. This page is for yours.
What Saturday morning
actually looks like
Arrive
Park near Manly Sailing Club, Big Manly Beach. Look for the tow floats and the chatter — that's us. Introduce yourself to anyone.
Toes in the water
The group heads off together. Swim 200m or 2km — nobody counts. Stay near shore if you're finding your feet.
Options
Some ride the ~6km Manly loop as a brick, some run, some just get changed. All valid.
Coffee
The real reason half of us turn up. Ask anything — triathletes love talking gear and racing.
Read before race day
The questions everyone asks
Do I need to be fit already?+
No. We have every pace, every age and every body type in the club. The only requirement is turning up. You set your own distance and intensity at every session.
Do I need a fancy bike / wetsuit?+
Not to start. Any roadworthy bike is fine for the group rides, and plenty of people swim in whatever they have. Upgrade later if the sport sticks — members are a great source of second-hand gear and honest advice.
Can I try before joining?+
Absolutely — come along to any session, no membership needed. Saturday 8am at Big Manly Beach is the friendliest introduction: swim as far or as little as you like, then coffee.
I can't swim in the ocean yet. Is that a problem?+
Lots of members started exactly there. Take it at your pace, use a tow float, stay close to shore, and you'll be amazed how quickly open water becomes normal.
Do I have to race?+
Never. Plenty of members are here for the training and the community. But if you do want a start line, you'll have a whole club behind you when you get there.