Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:21:15 GMT

I run Europe’s premier warm-weather training camp, attended by almost 100 masters swimmers. I have also organised and delivered swim clinics across Europe and Russia for masters swimmers. I find that masters are the same wherever you go. They all need encouraging, most need stroke correction, some are happy just to be entertained! - but I’ve found the vast majority of them need help in coping with nerves before a race. We cover, learning the value of Motor Imagery Training and how to effectively use mental rehearsal techniques. We go over race-day preparation and how to cope with, and control, pre-race nerves. Psychological toughness and how to ‘Think Like a Champion’is probably the best attended class. I’ve also noticed that triathletes are much keener to learn, and improve, than masters swimmers. Maybe that’s a subject for another thread? (I'm also looking for a head coach position at a masters club in the States, if anyone is interested!)

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:20:30 GMT

Sounds like a breaststroke clinic will be coming to the Seattle-area sometime in the not-so-distance future ;) Thanks for all of the input everyone!

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:06:09 GMT

I know I would love to attend some clinics. They have them around here, but most are geared towards triatheletes.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

BillS — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:50:20 GMT

By the way,I just got the formal OK to do a Breaststroke clinic at NW Zones Nov.2 during the 1500(last event on last day) if any of you are going to that meet.(I feel silly mentioning this on the same thread as a possible clinic by Nathan and Megan.Megan could probably beat me with her left arm only.) I've been chiding myself for missing your clinic at Federal Way for over a year. I'm looking forward to this one, thanks!

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

ViveBene — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:43:35 GMT

Chicago has a lot of swimmers in a fairly compact area (considering Chicago is on the huge side to begin with). The Chicago Masters (University of Illinois at Chicago) pool might be a good place. :agree:

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

coffeegirl — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:22:46 GMT

Several of the Master swimmers on our team would jump at the chance to attend one of your clinics. My daughter is already signed up for Megan's clinic in October. I have been banished to the bleachers. It's okay to swim with mom at practice, but attend a clinic together-no way!

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:11:02 GMT

Is there a general consensus as to whether a all-stroke clinic is preferred or, say, a breaststroke-only focus?

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

swimshark — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:49:42 GMT

Allen, I would love to attend a clinic where you are the teacher. I only wish I lived there to do so. Nathan, if you and Megan come out to VA, please let me know. I'd love to attend a clinic you all give as well.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

aquaFeisty — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:30:18 GMT

The clinics Dorothyhyde referred to have alternated on an annual basis between: 1. Long axis 2. Short axis 3. Starts and turns I'm with Fortress, I'd rather have the clinic be very technique focussed with just enough hard swimming to stay warm (doing all drills can sometimes get chilly... especially when there is discussion between the drills). The Bloomington clinics usually sell out and attract swimmers from central IL and the Chicago area, about a 3 hour drive, so masters swimmers are certainly willing to travel a bit! I think it's nice to tie a clinic to a meet, though I wouldn't want it tied to a 'big' (ie., shave and taper) meet because it is scary to change things up when you have put in the time to do a taper. Mid-season meets work well and there is usually the added bonus that having a clinic the day before the meet will boost attendance at the meet.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

ViveBene — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:29:31 GMT

Is there a general consensus as to whether a all-stroke clinic is preferred or, say, a breaststroke-only focus? I think I'm with Fortress on that one, but wouldn't it depend on amount of time? (I've never been to a swim clinic, so please excuse my uninformed questions.) A short clinic should be stroke-specific. If 50 people sign up for a 2-hour stroke specific-clinic, and you plan to look at technique individually, how does it work? Do you take a fresh batch of 10 or 20 every 2 hours? Do those who have had their technique reviewed in the early part of the period swim around, then get bored and leave?

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

mctrusty — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:27:39 GMT

Is there a general consensus as to whether a all-stroke clinic is preferred or, say, a breaststroke-only focus? Breaststroke.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

The Fortress — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:20:43 GMT

Is there a general consensus as to whether a all-stroke clinic is preferred or, say, a breaststroke-only focus? Personally, I'd rather go to a focused clinic that was purely technique based. (I don't need a workout at a clinic.) I'd prefer a local clinic (DC area, hint hint) with an emphasis on breaststroke or starts & turns. And how much can you learn at one clinic? 4 strokes might be a bit much to digest. More general clinics also attract a lot of triathletes. Love them, but don't want to do a swim clinic with them. I can't believe I'm going to miss Allen's clinic again ... :shakeshead: Maybe Indy? No hope without it, for me.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

pwolf66 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:20:04 GMT

Might want to include a poll on that one. I would prefer one that had the potential for all 4 strokes with my preference being Free and Fly.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:42:19 GMT

A bunch of our swimmers from the NW side of Chicago would attend if it was near Chicago--we're always looking for stroke help.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

knelson — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:37:43 GMT

We don't have too many masters teams around here though, so we're not really sure of the landscape of the teams and such. You might be surprised, Nathan. PNA (Pacific Northwest Aquatics) is the local masters organization representing Western Washington. PNA currently has over 1,300 members. There are training groups of various sizes sprinkled all over the Seattle metro area. If you are planning a masters clinic in the area I'd recommend trying to run an ad in the Wet Set, which is PNA's monthly newsletter that gets mailed out to every member. Here's a link to the September issue: www.swimpna.org/.../2008_09wet.pdf I think a clinic featuring Megan Jendrick would generate lots of interest. I second the motion on underwater videotaping. People love getting good feedback on their strokes and it's something most of us rarely get.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Allen Stark — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:00:27 GMT

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Allen Stark — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:43:24 GMT

If you give one in WA or OR I definitely want to be there!!!!!

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:15:39 GMT

You might be surprised, Nathan. PNA (Pacific Northwest Aquatics) is the local masters organization representing Western Washington. PNA currently has over 1,300 members. There are training groups of various sizes sprinkled all over the Seattle metro area. If you are planning a masters clinic in the area I'd recommend trying to run an ad in the Wet Set, which is PNA's monthly newsletter that gets mailed out to every member. Here's a link to the September issue: www.swimpna.org/.../2008_09wet.pdf I think a clinic featuring Megan Jendrick would generate lots of interest. I second the motion on underwater videotaping. People love getting good feedback on their strokes and it's something most of us rarely get. Wow, awesome! That's a strong community and very exciting info. It's good that there's such positive feedback for underwater taping, too; we offer this at our age group camps so we would certainly do it at a masters event. Thanks again!

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

aquageek — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:00:01 GMT

I've been to two clinics - one by Kerry O'Brien, Rowdy Gaines and missed the Janet Evans one. They were well attended. Lots and lots of pool time is the key, along with a great workout. Kerry also did underwater video analysis, which was awesome. I tend to like clinics that are about 1/3 drills and tips and 2/3 *** kicking professional workout.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

swimshark — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:42:45 GMT

I would love to attend a local one. So far I haven't seen any around here. Dennis Baker and Bert Peterson have both given ones that had huge turn outs.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Sooner — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:07:53 GMT

I do not care for clinics as usually they are crowded, minimal personal attention and I can get enough feedback from my coaches and other swimmers at practice to suit me.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:23:38 GMT

Well then... awesome :) I think we may have to look in putting on some clinics for some masters teams. Thanks!

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Rykno — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:37:06 GMT

Well then... awesome :) I think we may have to look in putting on some clinics for some masters teams. Thanks! Over here in Sweden one of the best known masters swimmers from Sweden Glen Christiansen along with others have put together 4 or 5 Masters clinics. each time being fully booked. each clinic has had a theme. the next one coming up in Sept will be starts and turns as well as speed and strength training. the one in May/June was about distance swimming for all the Open water races during the summer. it seems like most of the clinics held in Stockholm have been friday night to sunday afternoon, with 4 water sessions.. as soon as they over something a little farther south I will consider going.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:07:53 GMT

If you can get one tacked on to a big met like a Zones or something...I think you'd have a big crowd.

RE: Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:48:42 GMT

Clinics are really helpful. Of course, I would really love to find a good Masters swimming camp. I wouldn't mind doing the ones that Karyn Pipes-Nielson and her husband run but I don't have the dough to go to Hawaii for 5 days. omg I agree! I wish someone would host a week long masters swim camp during like the summer months. It would be such a great combination of swimming and social aspects. I loved swim camps as an age grouper and wanted to keep going through college but no one would take me because of my age...now that I am 22...I still miss swim camps!