Training at the Ocean Walker Academy – My August 2025 Experience

Setting the course buoys for the Warrior Race with Adam Walker - August 2025

In August 2025, I travelled to the UK to spend dedicated time training under Adam Walker at the Ocean Walker Academy. Training with Adam was a defining moment in my coaching journey. This trip wasn’t just professional development; it was a chance to refine my own technique, deepen my understanding of the method, and absorb the finer points of Level 1 coaching directly from the source.

Adam’s rare blend of expertise and insight reshaped how I understand swimming mechanics and coaching, and returning to the role of student sharpened the way I teach others. As I move through the final stages of my Level 1 coaching qualification, this experience has become even more meaningful.

Training Under Adam Walker: Why It Matters

Adam Walker is the founder and developer of the Ocean Walker Technique™ not just a coach, but a true specialist in a method built around efficiency, fluidity, and natural movement in the water. His knowledge is unique and highly sought after. Training under Adam means learning directly from someone who has spent years refining a technique designed to reduce strain, improve endurance, and help swimmers move with ease.

What sets Adam apart is his ability to break down complex movements into simple, actionable stages. His coaching goes far beyond drills or repetition; it’s grounded in understanding the body’s natural mechanics and how to harness them for better performance. That clarity and depth are invaluable for coaches like me who want to pass on effective, sustainable techniques to swimmers of all levels.

Learning the Finer Points of Level 1 Coaching

Beyond the physical stroke work, my time at the Academy was about absorbing the coaching philosophy behind the technique. Adam shared the nuances that don’t always make it into videos or manuals. The cues that unlock breakthroughs, the corrections that matter most, and the sequencing that helps swimmers feel success early. These insights now shape how I teach every Ocean Walker Technique™ session at SwimMore, especially for swimmers who come to me with shoulder pain, low confidence, or years of ingrained habits.

The Influence of the Academy’s Serene Environment

The Ocean Walker Academy is nestled beside a tranquil lake, creating an ideal setting for focused training. The peaceful surroundings helped me disconnect from daily distractions and fully engage with the learning process. The clear water and gentle natural light made it easier to observe subtle movements and feel the flow of the stroke.

Training in this environment reinforced the importance of calmness and focus in swimming. It reminded me that technique improvement is not just physical but also mental. The serene setting encouraged mindfulness, which is now a key part of my coaching approach.

A Lake with Its Own Story

The lake at the Academy has a presence of its own. Set deep in the English countryside, it’s calm, quiet, and wrapped in rolling green. The kind of place that naturally slows your breathing and sharpens your focus. Training there felt like stepping out of the noise and into a space built purely for learning.

There’s a clarity that comes from being in water like that. No rush. No distractions. Just technique, stillness, and the rhythm of the stroke.

The lake itself carries an incredible story of resilience and determination. Qualities Adam embodies in everything he teaches. It’s a story for another time, but you can sense Adam’s resolve in the way he breaks new ground and delivers something others might shy away from because of barriers or their own self‑limiting thinking.

Bringing It All Home to SwimMore

Stepping back into my own coaching after that experience, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The time at the Academy didn’t just refine my technique, it sharpened the way I see swimmers, the way I communicate movement, and the way I guide people toward ease and efficiency in the water. It reminded me why this method matters and why bringing the Ocean Walker Technique™ home to SwimMore, feels so important.

Returning to Australia, I felt more aligned than ever with the purpose of SwimMore: helping swimmers move with ease, confidence, and create lifelong swimming longevity. The time at the Ocean Walker Academy reinforced why this technique matters. Not just for performance, but for the long-term health of every swimmer who steps into the water. That trip shaped the way I coach today, and I’m grateful for the chance to keep learning, refining, and bringing the best of the Ocean Walker Technique™ to the Sunshine Coast.

Practical Takeaways for Coaches and Swimmers

From my experience, here are some practical tips inspired by Adam Walker’s training that coaches and swimmers can apply:

• Break down strokes into components 

Focus on body position, rotation, timing, and recovery separately before combining them.

• Use video feedback 

Recording and reviewing strokes helps identify areas for improvement.

• Encourage relaxed recovery 

Teach swimmers to keep their arms and shoulders loose during recovery to save energy and protect the shoulder joint.

• Create a calm training environment 

Whenever possible, train in quiet, distraction-free settings to enhance focus.

• Adopt a learner’s mindset 

Coaches should continue learning and refining their own technique to better support swimmers.

Final Thoughts on the Training Experience

Training at the Ocean Walker Academy with Adam Walker was more than a technical upgrade; it was a transformation in how I view swimming and coaching. The detailed focus on stroke mechanics, combined with a supportive learning environment, has equipped me with tools to help swimmers move more efficiently and enjoy the water more fully.