Andre dives deep into the sport of ocean swimming, with insights into the sport's history, events, lifestyle, techniques, competitive tactics and where it all started for OceanFit.
Education
OceanFitA guide to family beach safety
Beach days can be a daunting experience for parents but with our handy family beach safety guide and equipment checklist you'll feel that much better.
Andre SladeHow to assist a swimmer in difficulty
People can get into trouble at any time in the water and if you're nearby you might be called on to assist a swimmer in difficulty.
Different strokes for different folks
When transferring from the pool to open water, there are some slight variations you can make to your swimming stroke when waves, wind chop and swimmer wash make the water surface bumpier.
The magic carpet (negotiating a shore dump)
There’s a little bit of magic in all of us! Learn how to negotiate a shore dump using the 'magic carpet'.
The finish is right behind you
The Hawaiians say ‘never turn your back on the ocean’, and that advice rings true for finishing ocean swims.
Relax and keep your head down
If you find yourself fighting the open water and using up energy quickly, you might be swimming like this.
The tortoise and the hare
This well-known fable is a great reminder to ocean swimmers of all ages, that there's more to swimming through the surf than speed.
Timing is everything
Timing plays a huge part in negotiating waves, and getting your timing right will make you a more efficient ocean swimmer in the surf zone.
A simple technique that will make you a superhero of the surf
We've got a technique to help you negotiate the surf that is so simple, you'll wonder way you haven't thought of it before (Tip: it doesn't involve diving under waves).
How sandbanks are like swimming between the flags
How can you stay safe at the beach, if you know to swim between the flags, but you choose not to?
Are you a WAIF?
When making decisions about whether or not it’s going to be a good day for an ocean swim, you're going to need to dig deeper than the weather app icon.
Are you going insane in the surf?
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, so are you guilty of this when you're ocean swimming?
How the Melbourne Cup is like an ocean swim
When you think about it, racing in the Melbourne Cup is actually a lot like an ocean swim event.
You need to be swimming more
If you want to be strong and confident swimming in the ocean, it all starts with being a strong and confident swimmer.
Do you know, what you don’t know?
Are you unknowingly holding yourself back from being a better ocean swimmer, because you think you know all there is to know about ocean swimming?
Sea lice: That nasty rash you get after swimming in the ocean
Been ocean swimming and come out with an itchy rash over your body? Chances are you've had an encounter with sea lice. Learn what it is and how to treat it.
10 winter swimming motivational tips
Winter can be a hard time to get motivated to maintain your swimming fitness. Here are OceanFit's top 10 tips to make winter swimming less of a chore.
Myth of the collapsing sand bar
The media like to report of a 'collapsing sand bar' that cause people to be 'dragged out to sea' in rips but the idea that a sandbar can collapse is a myth.
Rob BranderHow to treat a bluebottle sting
If you ocean swim regularly you're likely to be stung by a bluebottle at some stage. The sting can range itchy to a painful but the treatment is simple.
Wave sets and lulls: Is every seventh wave the biggest?
Learn about wave sets and lulls and how they can affect your ocean swim. Plus find the answer to the question 'is every seventh wave in a set the biggest?'.
Audio: Andre gives an insight into the holiday drowning spike
Andre spoke with Natalie Peters on 2GB about the recent spate of drownings, why we might be seeing this spike and things we can work on to reverse the drowning toll.
This ‘golden rule’ will keep you beach safe this summer
Surf safety messages can get so complicated. There are so many rules, but what if I said you only need to know one 'rule' when you go to the beach?
Coriolis effect: When the water gets cold in summer
Why can the ocean temperature in summer be 24 degrees one day, 18 the next? Well it's all got to do with the wind and something called the coriolis effect.
Being hands-on beats the heebie jeebies
Do you get the heebie jeebies when ocean swimming? Learn how to feel more relaxed about sharing the ocean with all its creepy crawlies.
Bottom’s up: How to choose where to swim at the beach
Learn why different sections of water on the same beach can look so different; and how by knowing why can make you a smarter & more efficient ocean swimmer.
The surf sense ‘silver bullet’
Are you looking for the 'silver bullet' to becoming a confident and strong ocean swimmer? It's a question we get a lot and we have the answer for you.
Are these four ocean anxieties holding you back? (and how to overcome them)
Whether it’s a niggling side-thought, or an inherent fear, your ocean anxieties can be a massive barrier to enjoying the ocean.
Ocean swimming safety
The ocean is a hazardous environment at any time and ocean swimmers must always respect it. Learn how to stay safe while ocean swimming.
Learn how to survive rip currents
Rip currents are our beaches hidden danger and they are responsible for the majority of beach drownings. Learn how to spot, avoid and survive a rip current.
