April 22, 2025 - What Should I Learn at Swim Camp?
Northwestern Swim Camps
Peak Performance Swim Camps
Jesse Moore Recruiting
100% Streamline
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3646-100-streamline
Backstroke Underwater Travel Sequence
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3650-backstroke-underwater-travel-sequence
Breaststroke Underwater Travel Sequence
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3655-breaststroke-underwater-travel-sequence
Butterfly Underwater Travel Sequence
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3659-butterfly-underwater-travel-sequence
Freestyle Underwater Travel Sequence
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3662-freestyle-underwater-travel-sequence
Monday
All-Strokes - Simple Streamline
Sure, how much more basic can you get. But year after year, day one of swim camp has many swimmers showing poor consistency with their streamlines. Time spend really honing this is will be well worth the time.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1387-all-strokes-simple-streamline
Tuesday
Balance - Kara Lynn
There are many ways to work on balance, and it’s one of the most important aspects of competitive swimming. All camps should be pointing out and instructing to their swimmers how vital bodyline is for our sport.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/656-balance
Wednesday
David Curtiss Head Position
While this focuses on freestyle, camps should take specific time working on the proper head position for all four strokes. We all have to remember, during training with many other swimmers… their eyes may be doing things like looking all around, which will adversely impact head position. The swimmers need to be aware of what they’re doing.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3426-david-curtiss-head-position
Thursday
EVF dog paddle
Understanding how the arms are supposed to connect with the water is typically very counter-intuitive. Showing and practicing these movements slowly and specifically can open up the swimmers minds to a more correct way of propelling themselves through the water.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3020-evf-dog-paddle
Friday
Starts - Pointed Toes
Teaching how the WHOLE body is used in our sport can start with the start. While many athletes only focus on the streamline arms, it’s good to take some time to focus on the end… pointing the toes… which is pretty important with all aspects of swimming.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2186-starts-pointed-toes
Saturday
Conveyor Belt
Many problems that are developed in practice are simply because swimmers don’t know how to get out of each other’s way. Teaching the importance of lane etiquette in simple and fun ways can help develop a well organized practice that keeps eyes in the right positions.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2166-conveyor-belt
Sunday
Using the GoSwim App to Teach
What age do you start teaching stroke rate, distance per cycle, breakout point, etc… Why not start YOUNG! Like learning a new language, if the youngest swimmers understand basic swim DATA, in a few years, they’ll be as knowledgeable about what they’re doing as anyone else. We make it clear at camp why understanding our sport is important.
https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3577-using-the-goswim-app-to-teach
Swimming Techniques and Data Collection
Glenn starts the meeting by welcoming participants and addressing technical issues. He introduces Nick Baker as a guest speaker and mentions that they will be discussing swimming techniques, particularly focusing on backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle underwater travel sequences. Glenn also shares that they recently collected data on 3,000 races of 10 to 14-year-olds at the Indiana Age Group championships. The meeting is about to begin formally, with Glenn preparing to mute everyone and start the recording.
Peak Performance Camps: Holistic Swimming Approach
Glenn introduces Nick, the founder of Peak Performance camps, which have been running for nearly 30 years and have impacted over 20,000 swimmers from 45 countries. Nick explains that he started the camp business due to his passion for teaching and motivating swimmers, focusing on a holistic approach that addresses mental, technical, and physical aspects of swimming. Both Glenn and Nick emphasize the importance of supporting home coaches and giving attention to all swimmers, particularly those who may not typically receive it, as they are the mainstay of the swimming business.
Streamlining Underwater Work for Faster Swimming
Rick discusses the importance of streamlining and underwater work in swimming. He emphasizes that the purpose of underwater travel is to go faster than surface swimming, not just to avoid swimming. Rick notes that many swimmers, even globally, don't understand this concept and simply try to minimize swimming. Glenn supports this with data, showing that elite swimmers like Caleb Dressel achieve higher velocities underwater than on the surface. Both agree that coaches need to emphasize the importance of underwater work more, with Rick suggesting that swimmers often don't believe or internalize this message. They stress the need for repetition and correction in teaching these skills.
Underwater Swimming Techniques for Young Swimmers
Rick discusses underwater swimming techniques and dryland training for young swimmers. He emphasizes the importance of pushing out rather than down off the wall and recommends a 100% streamline hold followed by a choice of dolphin kick timing. Rick advocates for a continuous motion between the pull-down and kick-up phases, with no pause. He also stresses the importance of a proper dolphin kick technique and a 5-degree breakout angle to maintain race pace. Rick shares specific drills to improve body whip and core engagement during underwater swimming, aiming for two body whips per second.
Peak Swimming Camps Overview
Rick discusses the various swimming camps offered by Peak, explaining that they conduct 35 camps annually across the United States and internationally. He mentions different types of camps, including racing camps, stroke and turn camps, IM camps, and training camps. Rick also notes that they have a unique racing strategy concept to teach swimmers how to control their efforts. Glenn suggests the possibility of adult camps, which Rick expresses interest in, provided there is sufficient demand.
Breaststroke Pullout and Arm Positioning
The group discusses proper technique for breaststroke pullouts and arm positioning during swimming. Rick explains his "X arms" technique, where swimmers keep elbows tucked and make an X shape under the chest. Glenn notes that swimmers often pull their arms too wide instinctively, which can slow them down. The coaches emphasize the importance of teaching proper streamline technique, especially to young swimmers. They also mention a partnership with Go Swim for training videos, which has been well-received by parents and swimmers.
Swimming Technique at Swim Camps
The discussion focuses on key elements of swimming technique taught at swim camps. Glenn and Aleks emphasize the importance of streamlining, body balance, and head position. They explain that every camp starts with streamline drills to get swimmers thinking about their technique. The importance of body awareness and balance in the water is highlighted, with examples from Olympic swimmer Carolyn Joyce. They also discuss proper head position for efficient swimming, noting that young swimmers often keep their heads too high. The conversation covers the importance of using larger muscle groups like the lats for propulsion, and the need for clean entries when diving. Glenn shares an old video of his own diving technique from the 1980s to illustrate how swimming techniques have evolved over time.
Lane Etiquette in Swim Camps
Glenn discusses the importance of lane etiquette in swim camps, emphasizing the need for swimmers to understand how to lead a lane and follow tasks without constant instruction. He demonstrates a technique for teaching young swimmers proper lane movement by positioning himself in the pool as a "buoy" for them to swim around. Glenn and Aleks highlight the value of educating both swimmers and parents about the sport, while Barbara praises Glenn's ability to focus on fundamental skills. The discussion concludes with Glenn addressing a question about underwater swimming for masters swimmers and promoting upcoming swim camps.