Do Masters Swimmers enjoy clinics?

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?

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.

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.

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

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!

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:

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!

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

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!

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!)