Starts, Underwaters, Butterfly Technique & More Swim Camp

Jenison High School
2140 Bauer Rd, Jenison, MI 49428

Countdown
  • 9days
  • 07hours
  • 32minutes
  • 31seconds

Introduction

Fitter & Faster is producing a 2-day swim camp at Jenison High School in Jenison, Michigan on December 21 & 22, 2024!

STARTS, UNDERWATERS, BUTTERFLY TECHNIQUE & MORE SWIM CAMP
DAY 1 (Saturday, December 21): Starts, Underwaters & Breakouts
DAY 2 (Sunday, December 22): Butterfly Technique

Scroll down for details on the curriculum!
-> Availability in each session is limited to 24 participants to ensure the highest level learning experience.
-> SAVE when you purchase the “Entire Camp Bundle” for your swimmer's age group.

SESSION START TIMES:
Ages 9 to 11:
DAY 1: Check in 9 AM, Camp 9:15-11:45 AM
DAY 2: Check in 8:30 AM, Camp 8:45-11:15 AM

Ages 12 & over:
DAY 1: Check in 12:30 PM, Camp 12:45-3:45 PM
DAY 2: Check in 11:45 AM, Camp 12-3 PM

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 9 to 11 and 12 & older. 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 9 and would like for your child to be considered for the younger sessions of this camp, please complete this questionnaire.

Curriculum

STARTS, UNDERWATERS, BUTTERFLY TECHNIQUE & MORE SWIM CAMP: December 21 & 22, 2024

This swim camp is designed to help swimmers develop a solid, efficient butterfly stroke for faster racing. On Day 1, swimmers will focus on starts, underwaters, and breakouts—the key components for a strong race foundation. These essential skills set up the speed and momentum needed for a successful race. On Day 2, the camp will dive into butterfly-specific techniques, emphasizing rhythm, power, and efficiency. Swimmers will learn how to create a smooth, powerful butterfly stroke that allows them to maintain speed and race with greater control and endurance.

    Day 1 (Saturday, December 21): STARTS, UNDERWATERS & BREAKOUTS

    The better a swimmer’s technique is off the starting block, the more speed they will carry into the water. Day 1 of this swim camp will help your swimmer improve their start, underwater dolphin kicking, and breakouts! This sequence is not only the fastest part of every race, but it is also the part of the race in which elite swimmers cover the most ground with the most efficiency.

    • BLOCK STARTS: To ensure an explosive start, a swimmer needs to set themselves up properly on the block. The elite clinicians will work with participants on the optimal positioning of your swimmer’s entire body, to allow for a quick reaction time and optimal speed.
    • WATER ENTRY: Starting the race with a smooth entry into the water will boost your swimmer's speed, and carry the momentum generated off the block or wall. Becoming skilled at the water entry is crucial for any start, and significantly contributes to your swimmer's overall race!
    • STREAMLINE: The streamline - when done properly - is the fastest a swimmer travels while in the water. Proper streamlines are even faster than underwater dolphin kicking. Even the most elite swimmers in the world are constantly working on improving their streamline. Your swimmer will get tips to improve their streamline, and gain a better appreciation of what they need to do on every single wall in practice and in races.
    • INITIATING UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICKING: Top age group and elite swimmers maximize their streamline on every single lap. They don’t start their underwater dolphin kicking while they’re still achieving maximum speed in their streamline! They also don’t want to start the underwater dolphin kicking after their streamline has begun to slow. Your swimmer is going to learn how to time when to begin their underwater dolphin kicking.
    • POWERFUL UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICKING: There are a few different techniques that swimmers use when underwater dolphin kicking. The common theme of these techniques is that the best swimmers kick up and down with equal power. We will show your swimmer the different techniques that elite swimmers use and teach them how to implement.
    • NUMBER OF UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICKS: Figuring out the optimal number of kicks off each wall, for each race, is essential to fast swimming. Elite swimmers want to spend only the absolute necessary amount of time underwater to establish speed with each length. They want to avoid losing their breath and taking weak kicks.
    • BREAKOUTS: Many swimmers unintentionally add movements in their breakouts that reduce speed by creating drag. In this session, participants will focus on perfecting their breakout timing to maintain momentum and power into each lap.

    DAY 2 (Sunday, December 22): BUTTERFLY TECHNIQUE

    At the highest level of swimming, butterfly is the second-fastest stroke and beautiful to watch because of its rhythmic and powerful strokes. There are some complexities to establishing a smooth, rhythmic fly, but with practice and attention to detail, your swimmer can master the stroke and begin swimming it for longer distances and at very fast speeds!

    • BODYLINE: A butterfly race is going to be fastest with a proper bodyline. Even the slightest adjustment of the chin, neck, and/or back can make a huge difference. As swimmers mature in the sport and grow physically, their body position shifts and bad habits can emerge. Participants will learn and practice proper posture and core engagement to have a strong foundation for better technique, creating a full-body connection for more hydrodynamic and efficient butterfly strokes.
    • KICK: Each butterfly stroke has two kicks to propel the swimmer towards the other end of the pool! If the kicks are properly timed and equally strong, they can positively impact your swimmer’s efficiency and stroke timing! Your swimmer will work on how and when to kick in butterfly for maximum speed.
    • PULL: Long and smooth strokes allow swimmers to have a more efficient and fluid butterfly. The pull in butterfly keeps a swimmer accelerating forward. Your clinicians will work with participants to establish an early vertical forearm, “the catch”, enabling the swimmers to put immediate pressure back on the water. Properly completing the stroke keeps the swimmer moving forward efficiently and fast.
    • BREATH: The timing of the breath in butterfly has a direct relationship on a swimmer’s body position, pull, kick, and TIMES! At this session, we will work with participants on breathing with their chin low to the water...and WHEN to breathe in their stroke cycle, so that they develop the most efficient stroke possible!

    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

    Swimmers will get to practice what they've learned by taking their stroke to your top speed with some of the best swimmers and coaches in the world! They'll work on holding onto their form while challenging themselves.

    Take a photo, get autographs, and chat with your clinicians!

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

    Countdown
    • 9days
    • 07hours
    • 32minutes
    • 31seconds
    Lead Clinician

    Clark Smith is an Olympic gold medalist and American record holder! At his swim clinics, he works with the swimmers to break down the most important parts of technique that have allowed him to reach the absolute highest level of the sport. Sign up to learn from Clark Smith and leave a more knowledgeable and inquisitive swimmer!