Competitive Enrichment Swim Clinic Series (Ages 8 to 11)
Parkrose Pool
12003 NE Shaver St,
Portland,
OR 97220
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Introduction
Fitter & Faster is producing two Competitive Enrichment Swim Clinics for swimmers ages 8 to 11 at Parkrose Pool in Portland, Oregon, in February and April 2025. Our Competitive Enrichment clinics are designed for swimmers transitioning into competitive swimming and looking to expand their skills.
We are also offering camps in Portland for experienced competitive swimmers ages 9 to 12 and 13 & over who are looking to enhance their speed with expert instruction. See below for links to these camps.
COMPETITIVE ENRICHMENT SWIM CLINIC SERIES (AGES 8 TO 11)
-> Starts, Underwaters & Breakouts (Saturday, February 1)
-> Breaststroke Technique (Saturday, April 12)
Click the “Curriculum Menu” below for details about each swim clinic.
-> Availability in each session is limited to ensure the highest level learning experience.
ADDITIONAL SWIM CAMPS IN PORTLAND:
-> Ages 13 & over
-> Ages 9 to 12 (Experienced Competitive Swimmers)
Select a curriculum below
GOING FROM DIVES TO STARTS: February 1, 2025
Transitioning to competitive swimming involves mastering racing starts from the blocks. This Competitive Enrichment clinic is designed to help swimmers elevate their skills by building confidence and transitioning from basic dives to powerful racing starts. Participants will focus on improving their starts, underwater dolphin kicks, and breakouts—the fastest and most efficient part of any race.
- BLOCK STARTS: Confidence on the blocks begins with proper setup. Our elite clinicians will teach swimmers how to position their bodies for a stable base, allowing them to remain steady while poised to launch into their start at the sound of the horn.
- WATER ENTRY: A smooth, shallow entry into the water is key to carrying momentum from the blocks into the race. This session emphasizes improving water entry, a crucial skill for maximizing speed and efficiency right from the start.
- STREAMLINE: A proper streamline is the fastest a swimmer can move in the water. Even elite swimmers continually refine this technique. Participants will receive tips to improve their streamline, helping them maximize speed off starts and on every wall during practice and competition.
- POWERFUL UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICKING: Underwater dolphin kicking is a vital skill, with the best swimmers generating equal power on the up and down kicks. Our clinicians will introduce different techniques used by elite swimmers and teach participants how to leverage them for faster starts and walls.
- BREAKOUTS: Breakouts are often a trouble spot, with many swimmers inadvertently creating drag through unnecessary movements. This session will focus on refining breakout timing to maintain momentum and power into each lap.
BREASTSTROKE TECHNIQUE: April 12, 2025
Of all the strokes, competitive breaststroke differs the most from the foundational form taught to young swimmers. This makes it one of the most challenging techniques to master. Our elite clinicians are here to help your swimmer develop race-ready breaststroke skills!
- GLIDING: Competitive breaststrokers glide with their hands extended in front, reaching toward the far wall. They hold this extended position until and for several moments after the kick is completed. Maintaining a long, almost streamlined bodyline during the glide is key to maximizing efficiency and speed.
- HIGH HIPS: A fast breaststroke requires swimmers to keep their hips high in the water at all times. This involves minimizing the time their head stays out of the water. Swimmers will learn to initiate their breath early in the pull and avoid pausing with their hands near their chest—a critical step for maintaining momentum.
- KICK: The kick is the powerhouse of breaststroke. Swimmers will work on lifting their heels (instead of pulling their knees forward) and snapping their feet quickly around and back to generate strong propulsion. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining the kick within the same horizontal plane and rotating the ankles throughout the motion to develop a powerful and legal kick. Our clinicians will guide participants in refining and strengthening their kick to achieve maximum forward momentum.
- PULL: The key to breaststroke is generating propulsion with the pull while minimizing resistance—and quickly returning to a straight bodyline for a high-speed glide. Many young swimmers have too big of an armstroke which impacts their timing and can even lead to disqualification. Swimmers in this clinic will learn to establish a proper "catch," keeping their hands and elbows high in the water and in front of their shoulders throughout the pull. These techniques will help them maintain forward momentum and achieve their fastest breaststroke.
SESSION START TIMES FOR BOTH DAYS: Check in 9 AM, Camp 9:15-11:15 AM Suggested Participants: Our top priority is to provide a world-class learning experience for all participants at all of our camps. This camp has sessions for swimmers ages 8 to 11. Participants will range from one year of competitive swimming experience to AAAA times and faster. If you are the parent of a child under the age of 8 and would like for your child to be considered for the younger sessions of this camp, please complete this questionnaire. ADDITIONAL AGE GROUPS IN PORTLAND:
- Ages 9 to 12: Ages 9 to 12
- Ages 13 & over: Ages 13 & over
ASK QUESTIONS
Swimmers and parents are invited to ask the clinicians questions during a Q&A session. Gain insight into their training regimen, diet and nutrition, and recovery tactics.
WATCH THE CLINICIANS
Observe clinicians swim at full speed and demonstrate a progression of perfectly executed drills to achieve powerful, efficient, and fast swimming.
PUT YOUR SKILLS TO THE TEST
Throughout the camp, swimmers will practice what they've learned with some of the world's most elite Swimmer Clinicians and coaches!
Take a photo, get autographs, and chat with your clinicians!
Nick Thoman
Size matters so much less when you have great technique... and your clinician is living proof of that. At one point, Nick Thoman was known as the world's greatest short course swimmer in the world. His starts and turns were a weapon - he was shorter than most of his top competition, but HE was the world record holder in the 100 short course meter backstroke AND he is an Olympic gold medalist. Learn to weaponize great technique, no matter your size or strength, to improve at this clinic with Nick Thoman!
Inquisitive, Educated Swimmers are Faster Swimmers! Sign up today!
