SWIM SMOOTH AUCKLAND
Meet our squad.
Passionate coaching team.
Expert coaches passionate about helping every swimmer reach their potential — from first-timers to competitive athletes. Certified methods, real results.
Lead by a Certified Swim Smooth Coach - combining world-class methodology with genuine care for every swimmer's journey. Come and train with us.
SEE IT IN ACTION
What Our Squad Is All About
Get a feel for the energy, coaching style and community that makes Swim Smooth Auckland different. Whether you're an improver or chasing a PB, there's a place in our lanes for you.
WHAT WE OFFER
Everything You Need to Swim Better
Swim Smooth Method
World-renowned coaching focused on swimming fitness and individual technique improvement.
CSS Training
Evidence-based Critical Swim Speed training — every session has a real, measurable purpose.
All Abilities Welcome
From novices to advanced swimmers — lanes are grouped by pace so everyone gets quality training. Unsure, check out our Improver Beginners.
Structured Sessions
Training sessions with purpose, designed to make you better and enjoy being in a team.
Who can join?
You should be able to swim 200m of continuous front crawl. Swimmers are grouped by CSS pace so everyone trains at the right intensity. Not sure? Call us first.
How do the lanes work?
Numbers are kept manageable so you always have room to swim well. Swimmers are grouped by Critical Swim Speed — every lane works at the right intensity.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR PROGRESS
Our Coaching Team
Experienced, passionate coaches who bring competitive credentials and genuine enthusiasm to every pool deck session.
Merle Maud
Head Coach and Founder · Swim Smooth Auckland
Merle is a Certified Swim Smooth Coach and accomplished triathlete with decades of competitive racing experience. She founded Swim Smooth Auckland to bring world-class, evidence-based swim coaching to Auckland, after establishing squads in Dubai and Singapore — and has worked individually across all abilities. There is very little she hasn't seen.
As a triathlon coach through EndureIQ, Merle also works with triathletes at every level, combining swim expertise with a holistic understanding of multisport performance. Her coaching is grounded in Swim Smooth methodology: specific swimming fitness, stroke correction, and Critical Swim Speed training that delivers measurable results.
Qualifications
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Certified Swim Smooth Coach
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Grad Diploma in Sports & Exercise from AUT
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Tri NZ Foundation Coach
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ITU Level 1 Triathlon coach
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Endure IQ triathlon coach
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ASA Swimming teacher Level 2
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Pilates Mat - Level 2 teacher
Race Results
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Ironman New Zealand 2026 - 4th overall female
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Ironman Australia 2025 Female Champion (Port Macquarie)
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70.3 Taupo World Championships 2024 - 4th in Age Group
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IM Nice World Championships 2024 - 3rd in Age group
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70.3 New Zealand 2024 - Female Champion
THE TEAM
Coaching team
Ben Silipo
Coach · Newmarket · Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat
Wānaka, where he was named Otago's Emerging Swimmer of the Year in 2020. He went on to achieve top-five finishes at national level in the 400m individual medley and 1,500m freestyle.
Now based in Auckland and studying at the University of Auckland, Ben brings racing experience and a real passion for coaching. He's known for clear, constructive feedback and a positive training environment.
Clive Lewis
Coach · Newmarket · Wednesday
A former Commonwealth Games representative for Wales, Clive is a seasoned coach with extensive competitive swimming experience. He brings technical expertise across all four strokes and a talent for giving swimmers at every level clear, actionable feedback.
Beyond the pool, Clive is active in the nutrition and health performance industry — reflecting his broader commitment to athletic wellbeing.
Harrison Cooke
Coach · North Shore · Wed/Thu
A competitive swimmer at North Shore Swimming Club for over 10 years, Harrison won age-group national titles in both pool and ocean swimming, plus open titles in open water. He still competes for Mairangi Bay in surf lifesaving and the NZ Ocean Swim Series.
Harrison is passionate about sharing the knowledge he's gained from years in the sport and helping every swimmer achieve their goals.