Past Clinic: Explosive Performance: Starts & Turns

Watertown High School
324 French St., Watertown, CT 06795

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

Upcoming Swim Clinics and Camps

Within 250 miles of Watertown, CT.

Starting Apr 06, 2024

Big Spring High School Natatorium

Info
Starting Apr 20, 2024

Marywood University

Info
Starting Feb 10, 2024

The Atlantic Club (TAC)

Info
Starting Apr 26, 2024

The Longfellow Health Club - Natick

Info
Starting Apr 27, 2024

Youth Development and Aquatic Center

Info
Starting Apr 27, 2024

The Longfellow Health Club - Natick

Info
Starting Apr 27, 2024

Youth Development and Aquatic Center

Info
Starting May 18, 2024

Lititz Recreation Center

Info
Starting Jul 20, 2024

Mercer County Community College

Info
Starting May 10, 2024

Victor Aquatics Center

Info
Starting May 10, 2024

Victor Aquatics Center

Info
Starting Jun 01, 2024

Kaplan Recreation Center at Mt. St. Mary's College

Info
Starting Jun 01, 2024

Kaplan Recreation Center at Mt. St. Mary's College

Info

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

Past Clinic

Introduction

Two-Day Explosive Power Swim Camp – Sign up for one or SAVE by signing up for both days!

Did you know that the fastest that your swimmer is ever moving through the water is after the start and after every turn? On Saturday, the curriculum will focus on explosive starts, powerful underwater dolphin kicking, and powerful breakouts. Then on Sunday, participants will work on accelerating through every flip turn and open turn into a well-timed finish.

Each session will be led by Olympians Kim Vandenberg and Amini Fonua!  Scroll down for more details on the curriculum.

Session Times (Both Days):
11 & Under: Check in 9:15 AM, Clinic 9:30 AM-11:30 AM
12 & Over: Check in 12:45 PM, Clinic 1:00-3:00 PM

Suggested Participants

SAVE: Sign up before prices increase or the sessions fill up!

Kim and Amini will be in the water leading four sessions - two for each age group. This camp is designed for swimmers with at least one year of competitive experience and is not recommended for swimmers younger than 8 years old without a coach’s approval.

Curriculum

DAY 1 (SATURDAY): STARTS AND UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICKING

The start is your swimmer’s opportunity to cover as much ground as possible in a very short period of time with great efficiency and momentum heading into the streamline and breakout. There are countless intricacies to performing a start, and it will only improve with practice. Olympians Kim Vandenberg and Amini Fonua have spent countless hours practicing starts and underwater dolphin kicking and will show your swimmer how to be explosive and efficient with each movement.

  • STARTS: Your swimmer’s proper hand and foot placement on the block can allow them to drive forward with a lot of explosive power. Kim and Amini will work with your swimmer to find the best position on the block as well as how to launch their body forward efficiently into a tight streamline and enter the water through a small hole.
  • UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICKING: The fastest swimmers know how to weaponize their dolphin kicking. It is absolutely, undeniably, the fastest way to move through the water! Whether you dolphin kick on your stomach, side, or back, understanding the importance of streamlined, underwater speed is vital for every swimmer!
  • BREAKOUTS: Many swimmers add movements in their breakout that create drag and destroy all of the momentum created during their underwater dolphin kicks. Your swimmer will work on staying streamlined and keeping their head down on the first stoke to accelerate into the first few strokes.

DAY 2 (SUNDAY): FLIP TURNS, OPEN TURNS, & FINISHES

Focusing on having faster turns is an easy way to drop time and win close races. Elite swimmers maintain their momentum through a quick turn and have a powerful push off every wall. Kim Vandenberg and Amini Fonua will lead participants through a series of drills to have compact, fast turns in any race. It’s easy for swimmers to have lazy turns when they are tired, but by learning the correct technique and practicing daily, your swimmer can gain speed on each turn.

  • FLIP TURNS: Your swimmer will learn to carry their momentum through the turn to get in and out of every wall faster. Swimmers will practice accelerating into the wall, using their core and arms to get through the turn, and planting the feet on the wall for a powerful push off in the perfect streamline. Swimmers will learn drills and exercises to help them master this athletic skill!
  • OPEN TURNS: Think about the open turn differently! Your swimmer should not be making an open turn to touch the wall and swim the next lap; if they’re doing this, they are actually stopping and then trying to regain speed. An expertly executed open turn involves spinning backwards, enabling your swimmer to carry momentum into the push off.
  • FINISHES: Races can be won or lost by hundredths of a second, and many races come down to the last few strokes. Your swimmer will learn how to use their kick to accelerate into the wall, time their stroke for a perfect arm extension, and keep their head down so they don’t waste any time or strokes as they approach the wall.

ASK QUESTIONS

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

WATCH THE CLINICIANS

Observe Kim and Amini 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 top speed with two of the best swimmers in the world! They'll work on holding onto their form while challenging themselves.

Take a photo with Kim and Amini, get autographs, and ALL PARTICIPANTS receive a FREE Fitter and Faster Collector’s Bag Tag for each day they are at the camp. Collect all 37 and trade with your friends!

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

Search all of our clinics...or request a clinic in your area

Get Our Emails
Sidebar Clinic Notification Request
Can't find an upcoming clinic in your area? Subscribe to our emails to get updates on when we come to town.
Connect with us
Facebook Instagram Twitter