Chat With A Ninja: Jo Hodge
This article first appeared in the July 2026 edition of the SSG Multisports newsletter.
One of our favourite Vortex Mermaids has finally been caught for a chat! Jo Hodge has been a much-loved part of the SSG swim community for years, famous for her gentle encouragement, expert technique tips, and the cheeky way she coaxes Ninjas just a little further than they planned. A passionate coach with 40 years of experience and a former swimming school owner, Jo was proudly recognised in 2025 with a Certificate of Appreciation and shared Ninja of the Year award. Here is her chat with us.
1. How did you first discover SSG Multisports and the Suttons Beach swim group?
I was first aware of SSG around about 2018 to 2019. A few swimmers from my Adult Swim Squad and I had been meeting up at Scott’s Point on Saturdays to train for the World Series OW swim events and my friend Tammie was in training for the Rottnest Challenge in WA in 2019. We’d heard of a group that had started up at Suttons Beach, and we decided to join them because the Mullet Fishermen were annoying with all their stories of certain fish with big teeth and appetites that supposedly follow the Mullet. It was also at Scott’s Point where I first met Di. She had been swimming on similar days and after a few encounters out in the water and discovering our love of long swims we quickly became good friends.
2. What first drew you to open water swimming?
I had my own Swimming School for 22 years, 16 of those I was lucky enough to lease the pool at Windsor State School. I would work for 9 months and have 3 months off in winter, so it was in the Winter months of June, July and August when I could join the SSG group for their regular weekday swim sessions.
3. You are famously known as one of the “Vortex Mermaids” (also called the Vortex Girls). How did that nickname come about, and what do you enjoy most about gently encouraging people to swim a little further than they originally planned?
I met so many lovely people it was natural for me to encourage swimmers to swim just a little bit further because after all it’s just there and you can always get out and you don’t want to die wondering… I had a heap of lines. As I think back, Atul was probably my most Vortexed swimmer, but in my defence he was very keen to improve his swimming ability, readily taking onboard all of my technique instructions and advice. After conquering both the Glasshouse and boat ramp challenges, Scott’s Point was next on his list. We waited for good conditions and as they say the rest is history. There was loads of cheering, high fives and sighs of relief and of course coffee celebrations. I believe you could even say he encouraged me to Vortex him, just ask him.
4. In 2025 you received a Certificate of Appreciation and shared the Ninja of the Year award for your outstanding contributions. How did that recognition feel?
Receiving my Certificate of Appreciation from SSG in 2025 was a great honour. I get a lot of pleasure from helping swimmers with their freestyle technique and get a kick out of doing my popup clinics out in the OW. Having coached swimming for 40 years it’s in my DNA and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing a swimmer improve their technique and feel more connection with the water. After all technique is everything when the ocean gets ROUGH and in my opinion NOTHING BEATS THE FEELING OF BEING STRONGER THAN THE WATER.
5. What do you love most about being part of the SSG swim community, and over the years what changes (or what has stayed the same) have you noticed in our swim group?
I enjoy the SSG community mainly because it’s very inclusive and welcoming, as I’m sure all new members have felt on their first official swim with the group. The group may be expanding in size, but the vibe remains the same and I personally would be lost without SSG.
6. Outside of swimming, what other activities or things bring you joy?
I have many hobbies along with OW swimming. I was once a very keen Triathlete, starting my Tri journey at the ripe old age of 49. I enjoyed a good 8 years entering tris at Noosa, Moo, Straddie, Kingscliff, Pottsville and even managed a half Ironman. My other passion is more land-based. I love multiday hiking and my next adventure is in the Scottish Highlands in May and Iceland in June, but as always I’ll pack my togs, cap and goggles and hope to get the opportunity to wild swim everywhere I can.
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