WAVEONE SWIM CAMPS FOR TRIATHLETES AND SWIMMERS
WE HELP YOU BECOME A BETTER SWIMMER WITH CONFIDENCE IN ALL OPEN WATER CONDITIONS
We understand finding expert open water training is difficult. That's why WaveOne Open Water offers a comprehensive camp with lessons and experience you need to become a better confident swimmer.
Swim Camp teaches triathletes, beginners and seasoned swimmers how to excel in open water, challenge nature, and embrace adventure.
Our Pledge: To equip you for success for any open water challenge, in smooth or rough water, with winning skills, strategies and mindset.
We fulfill our promise by expertly guiding you to adventure and triumph in various open water swimming activities within a supportive and enthusiastic community.
2026 Dates
April Swim Camp - Thursday 23 - Sunday 26, 2026
May Distance Swim Camp - Friday 15 - Sunday 17, 2026
October Swim Camp - Thursday 8 - Sunday 11, 2026
For 10 years our camp home is The Beach House, Trailborn Surf and Sound (previously Blockade Runner Resort Cottage) in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
“As a first timer, the full immersion is incredible. Swimming with you in the ocean for my first ocean swim was irreplaceable. I’m not going to get that instruction or time with someone with your experience anywhere else. Tons of fun, people are awesome, great location!”
TRIATHLETES
Learn how to thrive in your swim, not merely survive!
Common tactics from tri coaches that specialize in the run and bike, leave you vulnerable to a 33% failure rate. They say you can’t win on the swim, but you can lose (DNF) on the swim.
A Winning Water Mindset
Our uncommon wisdom of “connecting to the water” shows how you become empowered on the swim, and how your swim will energize your bike and run legs. Swim Camp gives you an edge or advantage over your competition with mindset and strategies that propel you to a PR, the podium, or to glide under the cutoff time. You WIN!
Finish Strong…and Happy!
Some WaveOne IronMan swimmers slashed over 25 minutes off their swim times, with less effort! First time or fast time, Swim Camp will make your triathlon a great time! Sign up today before your place is taken.
“First Ironman (Florida) complete yesterday!! Could not have done it without going to your camp and your coaching!”
All swim abilities are welcome!
WHY WAVEONE OPEN WATER SWIM CAMPS?
Expert experienced coaching - Over 40 years combined swim and tri coaching from national champions and IronMan winners.
Practical training - Hundreds of swim race miles, failures and victories in all conditions allow us share what works and how that translates to you.
Build confidence - 4 days of immersive practice and instruction builds unshakable confidence
What makes us #1?
Value and convenience: All inclusive, 4 days, 3 nights, meals included
Effective proven techniques: For all skill levels
Diverse swimming environments: Ocean, channel, sanctuary, pool/hot tubs and more. Beautiful accommodations at The Beach House, Trailborn Surf and Sound
Experienced coaching: Ironmans, channel crossings, Swim Around Manhattan, hundreds of miles raced and people coached.
Connect with water and others: Includes surfing, breathwork, mobility, strategy, and meditation.
“I want to express how grateful I am for WaveOne and the team you created. I forgot that the path along the way - the curiosity and even the failures are actually the reward...not just the finish line. Thank you for helping me.”
“It [swim camp] is a perfect opportunity to be in touch with nature on a different level in the ocean, to learn to live in contact with it, to spend a couple of days with a great group of people with positive attitudes. ”
“Always fun to experience the power of Mother Nature first hand... and with others, the camaraderie, taking care of each other. Swimming with my pod is my favorite thing. The Cottage is awesome.
Looking forward to swimming this morning, the sunrise is going to be beautiful!”
Playing in the water strengthens your open water connection and inhibits fear.
Staging for a swim along Masonboro Island.
Resort Beachfront Accommodations, Schedule, other details
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Camp Day 1: As swimmers arrive we will offer introduction swims in the sound and ocean, optional surfing is condition dependent. Room check-in is in the afternoon at 4pm or earlier. Introductions, Orientation, Ocean Safety
Ocean or Sound Swim
Dinner
Day 2: Morning Breathe Your Power Performance Breathing. Swim in Bay: Instruction, acclimation, stroke instruction, video taping - Choice Time: Rest, Review, Run, Bike - Ocean Swim: Entry instruction, safety, strategy, stroke instruction - Intro to Body Surfing: Wave and swell timing relating to swimming - Review Video & Stroke Analysis - Nutrition Lesson and prepared dinner.
Breath and meditation recovery session
Day 3: Morning Breathe Your Power or Mobility Instruction;
Adventure Swim (May Camp - optional Stoked to go Out race)
Choice Time: Rest, Review Run, Bike - Surf lesson and Practice - Ocean or Bay Swim
Breath, meditation or mobility recovery session
Dinner
Day 4: Final Strategy Session - Adventure Race or Ocean Swim – Practice Race - Beach Clean up - Free time - Check out 11am (or later)
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The Beach House at Trailborn Resort
Located beachfront with the Atlantic Ocean out the back door, and the Sound with a private beach facing the front, and a pool next door, our accommodations are unparalleled for a complete swimming experience. Four days/ three nights are included in your tuition at The Beach House in Wrightsville Beach, NC, only a 26 minute drive from Wilmington International airport.
Trailborn Surf and Sound Resort Information
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Sponsors
Hammer Nutrition
Bark Paddleboards
Sport Fair: The Swimmers Outfitter
Surf Rider Foundation DC and Cape Fear Chapters
We partner with Surfrider Foundation to educate and work to keep our waters swimmable. https://www.surfrider.org/
Go here to see our detailed Athlete's Guide for more information and FAQ.
Tuition based on single occupancy, in rooms available for as indicated in registration page. Cancellation policy is in the Athlete's Guide. MInimum of five swimmers is required to conduct a camp. Accommodations shall me made if that minimum is not achieved.
Live Wrightsville Beach Surf Cam here.
Swimming Equipment: See the Athlete's Guide and FAQ
The Coaching Team
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Denis is a Triple Crown (English and Catalina Channels, and Swim Around Manhattan) ultra marathon swimmer who created WaveOne Open Water in 2009 – Specializing in coaching, developing and organizing programs and events for open water swimmers and triathletes. He creates a transformational open water experience to bring swimmers an "aha" experience that forever changes their relationship with the water. 2024 is our 15th year of sharing the open water lifestyle with over 21,000 athletes within the growing WaveOne community.
Denis is a 25 year+ open water swimmer, marathon competitor, and prone paddleboarder with an accomplished race record to include the following achievements:
Ultra Distances:
1st swimmer to complete Washington DC Marathon Swim, Potomac River, Chain Bridge to Mt Vernon: 22 miles, 9:42 (2019)
1st place (overall): 24 mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim (2004)
2nd place (male): 28.5 mile Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (2006)
2nd place (male), 4th place (overall): 41k Lake George Marathon Swim (2007)
Channel Swims:
English Channel: 21 miles 12:19.0 (2023)
Catalina Channel Swim: 21 miles 16:18:20 (2016)
Mainland, California to Anacapa Island: 12.2 miles, 6:20 (2019 )
Certifications:
Wim Hof Method Instructor
XPT Performance Training Certified Coach, USA Swimming Coach, US Masters Swimming Coach, Red Cross Certified Lifeguard
USA Swimming National Select Open Water Camp - Coach 2014
Special Olympics Coach/Instructor, US Dept. of State Sports United Program in Cairo, Egypt (2013)
Chief Safety Officer for Open Water Swimming at Special Olympic World Games (2015)
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Trent Hayden - Head Triathlon Coach - University of North Carolina Wilmington, Cape Fear Triathlon Club, Trident Coaching
Trent is the Head coach of the UNCW Triathlon Team and the Founder and Head Coach of Trident Coaching. He trains, coaches and conducts local open water swims and triathlons in the Wilmington area. Trent is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer, USA Triathlon Certified Level 1 Coach, IRONMAN Certified Coach, USA Triathlon Youth & Junior Certified Coach, American Fitness Professionals and Associates Certified Sports, Nutrition, and Wellness Nutritionist.
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Bob Soulliere - Breathe Your Power - Founder
Bob founded Breathe Your Power as a Certified Wim Hof Method Instructor, Oxygen Advantage Instructor, a dad, a husband, a Crossfitter, and a planking savant. His mission is to connect you to your own innate power, your actual capacities as a human. “I don't believe that you have more to you, I know it.” He studies the science of breathing and cold exposure to implement in teaching you to use your breath as the remote control of your nervous system and provide structure, mindset, and support for cold exposure. Thus unlocking your innate potential to optimally perform in all conditions.
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Steve Phillips - Surf Instructor/Manager - South End Surf Shop
Steve is a life long surfer and waterman who loves to pass along their knowledge, stoke and secrets of how to surf well. Learn everything you need to know with an elite team of talented local surfers. With Steve's proven, unique & individually crafted student - instructor relationships you'll overcome the obstacles & your surfing will thrive! All instructors are CPR/First Aid Certified. Keep it clean, keep it local!
Want to learn to surf in Wrightsville Beach go to https://southendsurf.com/
Life is too short to stand on the shore wondering “what if.”
OWS campers after an ocean swim in 2017.