Thinking about joining us? Come along and try a session.
Your first training session is free, and there is no expectation that you will already know how our lanes or programmes work. We will help you find the right lane and explain anything you need to know.
Is Adelaide Masters suitable for me?
Our swimmers range from recreational swimmers to experienced competitors. You do not need to be fast, and you do not need to compete.
You should be comfortable swimming repeated lengths of the pool. We are a coached training squad rather than a learn-to-swim programme, but the coach can usually adjust distances or strokes to suit your fitness and ability.
You also do not need to be able to swim every stroke. Many swimmers modify parts of the programme because of ability, injury or personal preference.
Before your first session
If you’re not a member of a masters swimming club, then before attending please register for a free 30-day trial membership through SwimCentral: Store → Memberships. This provides insurance while you train with us. If you’ve been a masters member in the past then you’ll need to pay for the full membership, also through SwimCentral (the current 2026 membership till the end of the year is $101.05).
You are welcome to email us before coming, particularly if you are unsure whether the sessions will suit you, but you do not need to wait for an invitation.
Our current training times and location are listed on the Training page.
What should I bring?
Bring:
- bathers
- goggles
- a towel
- a drink bottle
When should I arrive?
For your first session, arrive at about 6:15 PM (15 minutes early).
This gives you time to find the pool, change, and speak to the coach before training starts. Look for Ilze on pool deck and let her know that it is your first session.
What happens during a session?
The coach writes a programme for the session for each lane. You’ll see an A4 programme near the end of your lane (sometimes adjacent lanes share a programme when we have many lanes). Swimmers are divided between lanes according to speed, with each lane completing a suitable version of the programme.
Sessions usually include a mixture of warm-up swimming, drills, technique, fitness work and faster efforts. You can stop when needed, miss part of a set or adjust a stroke. The coach will help you work out what is appropriate.
You will not be expected to keep up with the fastest swimmers.
What does it cost?
Your first club training session is free.
At Burnside, you will still need to pay the normal pool-entry fee. At St Peter’s College, pool entry is included.
After your first session, training fees and membership costs are explained on our Fees and Membership pages.
What if I am nervous about joining a lane?
That is normal.
The coach will choose a lane for you, and it can be changed if it is too fast or too slow. Your lane mates will also explain how the lane is operating.
You do not need to memorise all our lane-etiquette rules before attending. The important things are to leave some space between swimmers, keep to the correct side of the lane and ask when you are unsure.
Do I have to join after the first session?
No.
The free trial membership lasts for 30 days, so you can attend more sessions before deciding whether to become a full member. Normal training fees apply after your first free session.
Ready to try it?
Register for a free trial membership, check our current training location and come along to a session.
Questions are welcome. Email us if there is anything you would like to check before attending.
