Past Clinic: High Performance Swim Clinics

Valley Shore YMCA
201 Spencer Plains Road, Westbrook, CT 06498

A description of what was covered at this past clinic is below the upcoming clinics.

Upcoming Swim Clinics and Camps

Within 250 miles of Westbrook, CT.

Starting Aug 15, 2024

Montclair State University-Panzer Athletic Center

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Starting Aug 15, 2024

Montclair State University-Panzer Athletic Center

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Starting Feb 17, 2024

Chelsea Piers Connecticut

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Starting Feb 17, 2024

Chelsea Piers Connecticut

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Starting Oct 05, 2024

Westfield State University - Ely Pool

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Starting Jun 01, 2024

Kaplan Recreation Center at Mt. St. Marys College

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Starting Oct 05, 2024

Kaplan Recreation Center at Mt. St. Marys College

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Starting Feb 08, 2025

Mercer County Community College

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Starting Mar 15, 2025

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield

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Starting Oct 12, 2024

Youth Development and Aquatic Center

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Search all of our clinics at our find a clinic page.

Past Clinic

Introducción

At these high performance swim clinics, participants will be in the water working on essential skills for racing faster with Olympian Clark Burckle!

There will be one session for swimmers ages 11 and younger focusing on flip turns, open turns, finishes, and streamlines. There will a second session for swimmers ages 12 and older working on butterfly, breaststroke, and open turns.

Scroll down for more details on the curriculum and sign up today!

Participantes sugeridos

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Clark will lead two sessions designed for competitive swimmers of all ages and ability levels:

Plan de estudios

11 & Under Curriculum: Flip Turns, Open Turns, Finishes, and Streamlines

Races are often won and lost because of the quality of turns and finishes of the competitors. Many people don't realize this, but the push-off and streamline from the wall after a turn SHOULD BE the fastest a swimmer will go while in the water other than the streamline after a dive. Even elite level, swimmers often add in extra movements on their turns and finishes that slow them down and even cause them to lose races that they could have won.

  • FLIP TURNS: Your swimmer will learn how to carry their momentum through the turn to get in and out of every wall faster. Swimmers will practice accelerating into the wall with long strokes and then using their core and arms to get through the turn. They'll practice planting their feet on the wall for a powerful pushoff in the perfect streamline. Clark will give the swimmers drills and exercises to help them master this athletic skill now as well as in the future!
  • OPEN TURNS: Think about the open turn differently! You should not be making an open to turn around and swim the next lap. If you're doing this - you're actually stopping and then trying to regain speed again. An expertly executed open turn involves spinning backwards. This enables you to carry momentum into the pushoff. We're going to teach you how to cut a lot of time on this turn... helping you in all of your breaststroke and butterfly races!
  • FINISHES: Turns and finishes have a lot in common. In both cases, swimmers must accelerate into the wall! Many races come down to hundredths of a second. Your swimmer will learn how to drive their legs, elongate their arms, and keep their head down so that when it comes to close races, your swimmer always comes out on top.
  • STREAMLINES: A great streamline is more than just putting your arms over your head. At this session, swimmers will work with Clark Burckle to learn how to tighten and straighten their bodies from fingertips to toe-tips for maximum drag reduction. The streamline is FREE SPEED off of every start and turn. Learn from Clark how to maximize the strength and speed of your streamline!

Ages 12 & Older: Butterfly, Breaststroke, and Open Turns

The short axis strokes are butterfly and breaststroke! These are very similar and challenging strokes to master due to the importance of rhythm! Participants at this session will learn not only how to have a stronger pull and kick, but also WHEN each movement should happen so that they can swim more connected and with more efficiency! Participants will also learn how to improve their open turns with Clark!

  • BUTTERFLY: Perfect the complexities of balancing power and fluid rhythm in one of the most dynamic athletic movements. Elite butterfliers maintain forward momentum by setting an immediate high catch with a perfectly timed kick. They are committed to a breathing pattern, perfecting their distance per stroke, and maintaining a horizontal body position - Clark will help your swimmer become committed to these same skills to make them their habits every time they swim fly!
  • BREASTSTROKE: Your swimmer will begin with a strong understanding of the timing of the kick and pull and begin to utilize the same strategies world class breaststrokers use to minimize their footprint in the water. Participants will learn the skills of swimming in a horizontal plane, keeping the hips high throughout the entire cycle and utilizing a small but powerful kick while generating power forward with their recovery.
  • OPEN TURNS: Think about the open turn differently! You should not be making an open to turn around and swim the next lap. If you're doing this - you're actually stopping and then trying to regain speed again. An expertly executed open turn involves spinning backwards. This enables you to carry momentum into the pushoff. We're going to teach you how to cut a lot of time on this turn... helping you in all of your breaststroke and butterfly races!

ASK QUESTIONS

Swimmers and parents are invited to ask Clark questions during a Q&A session. Gain insight into his training regimen, diet and nutrition, and recovery tactics.

WATCH THE CLINICIANS

Observe Clark 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

Practice what you've learned by swimming at top speed with one of the best swimmers in the world! Hold on to your form while having the opportunity to challenge yourself.

Take a photo while wearing Clark Burckle's medals, get autographs, and a gift from TYR Sport!

Inquisitive, Educated Swimmers are Faster Swimmers! Sign up today!

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