Our Coaches
01.
Jan Croft
Jan Croft is Head Coach of Noosa Masters Swimming Club and has been coaching for over 30 years.
Having been a competitive swimmer for longer than she can remember, Jan set two National 800m titles in 1961/1962 and twenty State titles between 1959/1961.
Jan’s coaching career includes 16 years in her Learn to Swim business in Brisbane.
Some of her career highlights include:
- At age 17 Jan held the FINA World Title for the 800m freestyle
- Competed in the Commonwealth Games Trials in 1962
- 1st in the 2008 Olympic Distance World Championship
- 5th in the 1998 age group race in the Hawaii Ironman
Jan commenced coaching at Noosa Masters in 2005 and is motivated by the satisfaction she receives watching people improve their fitness and technique.
In 2012 and 2018 Australian Masters Swimming bestowed on her the prestigious Coach of the Year Award.
02.
Ian Tucker
Ian was a junior swimmer and water polo player in his teenage years before a long break to concentrate on work and family.
He returned to swimming after relocating to Noosa in late 2012 and joined Noosa Masters Swimming.
This journey over the last number of years has seen his results at local, state, national and international competitions improve over time.
In 2017/8 Ian decided to undergo the training to become a qualified Masters Swimming Club Coach and achieved this accreditation in February 2018.
Ian also enjoys the Open Water Swimming events and loves the coaching role and continuous learning aspects in the sport.
03.
Robert Morse
Bob achieved his Intro and Club Coach accreditation in 2012. He has trained under the tutelage of such coaches as: Tom Caddy, John Konrads, Barry Prime, Brian Stehr and Peter Diamond.
Bob has competed at many National and International Masters Swimming events.
His best results at World Masters Events are: 10th in 200m Backstroke in Sweden 2010, 8th in the 100m Backstroke and 9th in the 50m Backstroke in Montreal 2014.
Bob takes an interest in new research seminars on all strokes and changes in techniques and also seminars on nutrition for athletes.
04.
Vivien Merrill
Viv moved from Melbourne to the warmer climates of Noosa in 2012 bringing along her passion for swimming, her Masters Swimming Coach qualifications and Masters Swimming Victoria Referee qualifications.
Viv has previously held positions in the Victorian Masters Swim Club, Malvern Marlins, as Treasurer and President and now looks forward to assisting the Noosa Masters Swim Club with both her financial and swimming knowledge.
05.
Greg Bott
Greg joined Qld Masters Swimming in 2005 and has consistently competed at local, state, national and international Masters swim meets. His swimming successes include a State Record for a 200 free team relay and attendance at two World Masters Games in Perth (2008) and Budapest (2017).
He gained his Masters Swimming coaching accreditation in 2008 and coached at Albany Creek Masters swim club for eight years before joining Noosa Masters in 2016. Greg commenced coaching at Noosa Masters in 2018 and is on deck one Sunday each month.
Greg is also an active Surf Lifesaver having joined the Coolum Surf Club in 2014 and is a Silver Medallion Lifesaver. Whilst working full time Greg still manages to train four to five times a week and is constantly looking for tips to improve his swim ability. He is always keen to share his swim knowledge with the members of the squads he coaches and as a self-professed “stirrer” his coaching sessions are usually challenging but also entertaining.
06.
Wendy Nothdurft
Wendy swam and trained with Hervey Bay (Humpbacks) Masters Swimming Club from 2000 until 2005. During that time she set State records for 100m freestyle (long course) and 200m freestyle (long and short course). She also gained her coaching qualifications and coached the Masters squad.
A transfer to a town without a Masters swimming club resulted in a lengthy hiatus until retirement allowed the time to drive to Noosa to swim. She joined QNA in 2019, then during Covid decided to gain coaching accreditation again. Her commitment to swimming and coaching saw her relocate from Gympie to Noosaville in 2023.
Wendy loves training and learning about different techniques which she is keen to share during coaching sessions. She delights in helping people and watching them swim more efficiently and confidently.
