Suzie Dods Swim Coaching

I have been a first-hand witness to Suzie's coaching and abilities to instruct, motivate, and improve swimmers with all levels of experience.Having grown up in the bay area and been a swimmer/water polo player throughout my youth and now as a licensed pilot for a local SF based open water swimming/marathon swimming company, I have watched quite a few folks transition from novice to marathon swimmer in the course of a year or two under Suzie's instruction.Suzie has the experience, knowledge, and passion few have when it comes to swimming and in particular, open water swimming. She's a great first step (or re-introduction) into the world of swimming whether it's for pool-based exercise, masters, open water/cold water, or even marathon swimming. It's hard to find better than her, and I've seen quite a few jump off our swim platform.

Hands down, one of the the best private one-on-one and small group coaches in the Bay Area. Creds: Marathon simmer and dual member of the Dolphin and Southend Rowing Clubs, well-known international and local advocate for the sport. But MORE THAN ANYTHING, Suzie's passion and expertise is breaking down stroke technique and helping you become a more efficient, injury-free swimmer in the pool or in the open water. I first started working with Suzie after a neck-shoulder injury, during rehab. Combined with PT, I'm now pain and injury-free. Suzie has a huge tool-kit of drills and well-thought-out sets that will undoubtedly make you a better swimmer. Plus, she is fun and a great communicator. Suzie is available for one-on-one, small group private lessons, and marathon/triathlete swim training. She's a diamond.

I was training for a Tri and being a cyclist and runner I needed some help with swimming. Suzie was awesome. She slowed me down to speed me up and taught me some simple tricks to improve my stoke and minimize the effort doing so. I was flailing about in the water and after she got me to slow down and become more efficient I improved my 50 times with what seemed like much less work. On top of that she was a super nice and easy going coach.. I highly recommend Suzie for and experience swimmer or someone like me who could swim but needed help with the mechanics.

I participated in Suzie's Paros, Greece open water swim adventure in May 2022. Best time ever! Beautiful swims, amazing dinners and fun times hiking the island. Suzie takes care of all the details and you don't need to be an experienced open water swimmer. Highly recommend this trip.

I am one of the lucky people in the photo who spent 5 days last May swimming on Paros with Suzie. I am NOT an open water swimmer, but with Suzie's gentle encouragement, I swam way above my head in the open water of the Aegean Sea. It was glorious! The five days included delicious food, fun people and wonderful hikes. Everything is taken care of by Suzie. Do it. You'll love it.

Suzie runs a well organized swim trip. All levels of swimming are accommodated, locations are varied and they are all stunning . I tacked this trip on to the end of a 2 week trip to Italy and it was lovely to be able to just take in the beauty, not to have to make a decision about where to go or what to eat, I just needed to show up . The hotel is located outside the city a block away from the beach. It has a beautiful pool and was great for lessons in technique and swim tips under Suzie's watchful eyes . Margarita's meals at the hotel were hands down the best .Most importantly Suzie just does an outstanding job. Her passion for swimming, Paros, and life radiate through out the week.

Susie is awesome and highly recommend her if you need an expert to help achieve your swimming goals. She's nice, experienced and knowledgeable. You won't be disappointed.

If you want someone who is knowledgeable, supportive, passionate about swimming at ALL levels and ages and in all types of water--pool, open water, marathon swimming, Suzie has the experience and expertise. She loves supporting swimmers at whatever level they are at and bring to the water--non swimmers, fear of swimming, injured, to competitive athletes. Suzie is patient and passes on her passion and joy of swimming to others which will certainly bring a smile your face. She has unselfishly shared her knowledge in the long distance swimming/marathon swim world with me and has been an immense support system. High recommend!!!

Suzie Dods is a fantastic swim coach! She is incredibly warm and welcoming, and makes swimming fun even when we're working hard. Suzie is a very accomplished swimmer in her own right, and shares her knowledge and skills with great enthusiasm with her swimmers. She makes first time open water swimmers feel safe and encouraged while learning how to swim in the cold San Francisco Bay. As a swim team coach in pool swimming, she provides a level of technical competence that is unsurpassed. That competence translates to her overall coaching ability, whether it's ocean, lake, or pool swimming. Always ensuring that proper technique comes first, she adds a level of probity to each session she coaches. Suzie's passion for her swimmers makes her one of the best coaches I've ever had, and she absolutely puts the joy in swimming joyfully. She is swimtastic!