Worthington Swim Club

Coach's Corner

SUMMER SWIM CAMPS - by Coach Scott

What do I think of summer swim camps? Well, let me give the bad news first:

·        They're expensive - You could pay for a whole summer swim season at Worthington Swim Club, with the cost of a week at a camp.Or how about 6x1-hour private lessons ($55) with Coach Scott? Or come to some of Coach Scott's one-hour Mini Camps (for $20)? (I know it sounds like "sour grapes.")

·        The coaches aren't the best. Although the college Head Coach might be great, your child won't see that much of them. With 50-200 campers at a time, they can't. Mostly assistants (sometimes swimmers with little coaching experience) work the camps. They are also busy training their top swimmers for summer Nationals.

·        Most Camp Head Coaches try very hard not to contradict what the home coach preaches. Therefore, the practices will be very general and basic information will be presented. After all they have to coach 40-50 swimmers at a time from 30-50 different clubs with different ways of doing things.

·        Many times swimmers return with conflicting information that may be good for a college swimmer, but not for their level, yet. They get confused about how to do things. While there are many ways to teach strokes, you've got to stick to one program for consistency's sake.

·        Few camps actually have just the right amount of training for your child at any particular point in the season. In the old days, swimmers went for training and many injuries occurred because the camper wasn't used to the volume trained at the camp. There is much less of this nowadays.

·        Coming to Worthington practice everyday for 4-6 weeks in the summer will produce better results at meets.

The good news is swim camps are not all that bad:

·        If you want your child to learn some self reliance and be 'on their own' for a week it is a good idea.

·        If you think it is good to get them excited because a "celebrity" swimmer is at the camp and don't expect a miracle new technique and/or conditioning to take hold in a week, then have fun at the camp!

Note: On this page the Worthington Swim Club Coaches will provide additional information for swimmers and their families on this page.  Stay tuned for the latest in swimming knowledge to assist each swimmer to become fundamentally sound, to seek excellence and achieve.

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