First Junior Olympics time!
March 6th, 2021
I wish there was a way for Coach Gary Hall Jr to know what a difference he has made in our son’s life. Our son, Adam, has had Olympic dreams since he was 6 years old and meeting one of his most admired swimmers was a life changing experience for him. One week after his F&F camp at Irvine with Coach GHJr, Adam had his first Junior Olympics time cuts – in fact 3 JO cuts in all 3 races he competed in at Coronado Island in San Diego. Adam did the morning sessions on Saturday and Sunday at Irvine and even after 3 years of swimming with so many different teachers and coaches I have never seen him gushing with so much excitement and motivation after his time with Coach Gary Hall Jr. I already had so much admiration for GHJr because of his campaigns with Diabetes, which so many of my own family members have suffered terrible complications from in the forms of diabetic retinopathy and digit/limp amputations, that have destroyed so many people’s lives and dreams. So to have an opportunity to introduce my son Adam to a person that has accomplished so many good things in life has just been wonderful. I also want to thank F&F for their inclusiveness and willingness to make exceptions for individual abilities. This camp was meant to be a 9th birthday present for our son Adam back in December of 2020. We appreciate F&F allowing Adam to enroll in a camp designed for 10-12 yo kids, and giving hi the chance to prove himself even though he was younger. My son has always been a very dedicated and serious swimmer and he hopes he was able to contribute something to the weekend for the benefit of others.
My swimmer really connected with the pre race confidence building and starting block poses that GHJr led the group through. Overall, my swimmer got a huge boost of motivation and confidence and goal setting. My son says everyday that Gary Hall Jr told him ‘No Pain No Gain’. We are eagerly looking forward to another opportunity to work with Coach Gary Hall Jr.
We appreciate F&F partnering with this amazing person.
- Irvine, CA
- 9 years old
Thank you!
March 2nd, 2021
Thank you! The 200 isn’t a sprint and it’s not a distance event and I think one of the more challenging events for the “tween” age group to learn. It’s nice to have a clinic dedicated to this distance providing tips and techniques to make the 200 not so intimidating. Thank you!
- Voorhees, NJ
- 14 years old
New best time!
March 2nd, 2021
I really enjoyed learning about stroke power. I was able to use what I learned immediately in a race the following day. I swam smarter with better technique (reflected in a best/zone time). I really enjoy learning from masters of the different strokes, they always seem to have tips that help me have more confidence, better technique, and speed. It’s an easy way to have fun while learning how to be a better swimmer. Hands-down the best camp for improving your skills, makes all the others feel like going to practice.
** Mom’s comment: Thank you for letting my son participate by watching. He is recovering from an injury and cannot swim right now, but he did not want to miss out on the great learning from the camp!
- Inver Grove Heights, MN
- 13 years old
Stamford, CT
March 2nd, 2021
My daughter walked out all smiles. She can’t wait to go back to another clinic. She loved every minute.
- Stamford, CT
- 13 years old
First Clinic!
March 2nd, 2021
Thank you so much for sharing your skills, knowledge and personal experiences with my daughter. You were friendly, fun and made her nerves disappear. My daughter finished the weekend feeling more confident in her ability in the pool and in her hope to swim in college. Jamie can’t wait for the next opportunity to attend a fitter and Faster clinic. She enjoyed meeting and learning from these high caliber athletes and is looking forward to putting what she’s learned so far into practice to lower her times.
What advice stuck most with your swimmer: You can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t work hard, put in the time and make the sacrifice, you won’t get get far. Decide what you want and what you’re willing to do and then go after it.
- Inver Grove, MN
- 13 years old
Fantastic job
February 10th, 2021
They all did a fantastic job. They were instructive, supportive and great with kids. My daughter was star-struck 🙂 My daughter (who has been swimming competitively for three years, and has had many coaches) said, ‘Why hasn’t anyone told me those tips before!’
- 8 years old
- Dothan, AL
Very impressed
February 10th, 2021
John and Beryl were amazing! Their ability to communicate important techniques, while making it fun and easy to understand helped the kids make quick improvements. They also were very good at correcting errors or mistakes, while making the kids feel good about themselves. I was very impressed.
- 11 years old
- Houston, TX
John and Beryl were AMAZING!
February 10th, 2021
John and Beryl were AMAZING! Both instructors were very attentive to everyone and provided immediate and individual feedback. I think the smaller class size really enables the instructors to do that. In addition to that, John and Beryl maintained high energy to keep everyone engaged. They were very encouraging and really hyped me up and I really push myself in some of the fast drills. I felt comfortable, I wanted to be there, and I wanted to learn. And John and Beryl were a big part of that!
- 30+ years old
- Houston, TX
Such a great experience!
February 10th, 2021
Clark completely explained how your arms, legs, hips, feet, head, how everything moves when you swim breaststroke and I realized I had been swimming it completely wrong. My breaststroke changed in almost every aspect because of this and it is much faster and easier to do now. I feel a lot better about my breaststroke and can’t wait to test it out at a meet to see how my times change. Atiba did a really great job explaining why we swim it the way we do and how each drill we did would help improve our swimming.
Such a great experience. I don’t think I would’ve gotten as much out of this had it been any other clinicians. Even if it was just one different one. The two worked together so well. I’m very thankful for everything they taught me. I had a practice today and I can already tell everything about my swimming has changed. My turns are faster, my streamline is tighter, my breaststroke is amazingly faster and less tiring, even my freestyle, fly, and backstroke were affected. The way I pull and the way I think about how I’m swimming while I swim has even changed. Hopeful to find a butterfly clinic in the area soon!
The way Atiba and Clark both teach work together so well. They were both really good about filling in any gaps of information the other left out and it made everything much more informative and helpful. They were both really good at correcting even the small things and I’m very glad I attended this clinic they helped me improve so much. I’m excited to see my new times. I think this clinic has affected how I swim all of my strokes, honestly. Thank you for this amazing experience.
- 16 years old
- Effingham, IL
Fun and engaging
February 10th, 2021
My daughter came home so excited about swim camp. She was so honored to be able to learn from, swim with and get a picture with a gold medalist! I am certain this will be an experience she will treasure for years to come. Thank you Clark and Atiba for running a camp that was fun and engaging to these young swimmers. We are hopeful she will continue to swim competitively through her middle school and high school years (and college too) so that she can reach her goal of someday swimming in the Olympics. God Bless
- 10 years old
- Effingham, IL
