Competitive Enrichment Swim Camp Series (Ages 7 to 9), Portland, OR
Parkrose Pool
12003 NE Shaver St,
Portland,
OR 97220
Introduction
Fitter & Faster is producing a Competitive Enrichment Swim Camp Series for swimmers ages 7 to 9 at the Parkrose Pool in Portland, Oregon, in 2026. Click here to view the registration page for swimmers ages 10 to 12 and swimmers ages 13 & Over.
Competitive Enrichment Swim Camps are designed to help young swimmers build foundational competitive skills, boost their confidence, and foster a lifelong love for swimming.
2026 Portland, OR Swim Camp Series
-> Breaststroke Technique Swim Clinic (April 18, 2026)
-> Backstroke Technique Swim Clinic (September 26, 2026)
🔽 Click the "Curriculum Menu" below for details about each swim camp.
✔️ Each session has limited availability to provide a focused, high-quality learning environment.
💡 SAVE when you purchase the "Entire Camp Bundle" for your swimmer.
💲 Registration prices increase as the camps get closer. Purchase early before sessions sell out.
🕘 Session Start Times:
April 18: Check-in 9am | Camp 9:15-11:15am
September 26: Check-in 9am | Camp 9:15-11:15am
Suggested Participants
Our top priority is to provide a world-class learning experience for all participants at all of our camps. This camp has sessions for swimmers ages 7 to 9. Participants will range from one-year of competitive swimming experience to AAAA times and faster. If you are the parent of a swimmer under the age of 7 and would like for your swimmer to be considered this camp, please complete this questionnaire.
Select a curriculum below
BREASTSTROKE TECHNIQUE SWIM CLINICApril 18, 2026
Of all the strokes, competitive breaststroke differs the most from the foundational form taught to young swimmers. This makes it one of the most challenging techniques to master. Our elite clinicians are here to help your swimmer develop race-ready breaststroke skills!
- BREASTSTROKE TECHNIQUE (Competitive Enrichment): Of all the strokes, competitive breaststroke differs the most from the foundational form taught to young swimmers. This makes it one of the most challenging techniques to master. Our elite clinicians are here to help your swimmer develop race-ready breaststroke skills!
- Check-in: 9 AM, Camp: 9:15 - 11:15 AM
- GLIDING: Competitive breaststrokers glide with their hands extended in front, reaching toward the far wall. They hold this extended position until and for several moments after the kick is completed. Maintaining a long, almost streamlined bodyline during the glide is key to maximizing efficiency and speed.
- HIGH HIPS: A fast breaststroke requires swimmers to keep their hips high in the water at all times. This involves minimizing the time their head stays out of the water. Swimmers will learn to initiate their breath early in the pull and avoid pausing with their hands near their chest—a critical step for maintaining momentum.
- KICK: The kick is the powerhouse of breaststroke. Swimmers will work on lifting their heels (instead of pulling their knees forward) and snapping their feet quickly around and back to generate strong propulsion. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining the kick within the same horizontal plane and rotating the ankles throughout the motion to develop a powerful and legal kick. Our clinicians will guide participants in refining and strengthening their kick to achieve maximum forward momentum.
- PULL: The key to breaststroke is generating propulsion with the pull while minimizing resistance—and quickly returning to a straight bodyline for a high-speed glide. Many young swimmers have too big of an armstroke which impacts their timing and can even lead to disqualification. Swimmers in this clinic will learn to establish a proper "catch," keeping their hands and elbows high in the water and in front of their shoulders throughout the pull. These techniques will help them maintain forward momentum and achieve their fastest breaststroke.
BACKSTROKE TECHNIQUE SWIM CLINICSeptember 26, 2026
Competitive backstroke presents unique challenges for young swimmers. As the only stroke performed on the back, it requires a different approach to body position and movement. Additionally, backstroke lacks a natural glide, with arms and legs in constant motion throughout the stroke. Our expert clinicians will help your swimmer develop greater comfort and efficiency in the water allowing them to swim backstroke both faster and longer.
- BACKSTROKE TECHNIQUE (Competitive Enrichment): Competitive backstroke presents unique challenges for young swimmers. As the only stroke performed on the back, it requires a different approach to body position and movement. Additionally, backstroke lacks a natural glide, with arms and legs in constant motion throughout the stroke. Our expert clinicians will help your swimmer develop greater comfort and efficiency in the water allowing them to swim backstroke both faster and longer.
- Check-in: 9 AM, Camp: 9:15 - 11:15 AM
- BODY POSITION: A great backstroke begins with a steady head aligned with the spine. Comfort on the back is crucial, supported by a tight core and a quick, steady kick. These elements elevate the hips and toes, allowing the swimmer to maintain a straight, streamlined body position on top of the water.
- BODY ROTATION: In backstroke, the hips and shoulders rotate together, enabling the swimmer to position their hand correctly for an efficient catch (the motion of the hand grabbing the water). At the highest point of recovery, the shoulder and hip should be at their maximum rotation. Young swimmers often struggle with body rotation and timing, leading to common mistakes like "crossover," where the hand enters the water behind the head, or placing the hand in the water rather than driving directly into the catch. Our clinicians will teach swimmers proper timing, fast hand entry, and how to engage a powerful catch at the top of their stroke.
- CONTINUOUS ARM MOTION: Backstroke requires continuous, alternating arm motion. A common error is pausing one arm at the waist, resulting in an inefficient "one-arm-at-a-time" stroke. We will help your swimmer master the skill of keeping their arms opposite each other and in constant motion.
- KICKING: Backstroke kicking should emphasize a whip-like, toe-driven motion, similar to kicking a soccer ball. However, being on their back often causes young swimmers to adopt a bicycle-like, knee-focused kick. Our clinicians will work with your swimmer to develop a compact, efficient, and propulsive kick that enhances their backstroke technique.
- LANE POSITION AND WALL APPROACH: With their head steady and eyes focused upward, many young swimmers struggle to maintain a straight lane position or confidently approach the wall. Our elite clinicians will share techniques to use visual cues, allowing swimmers to stay straight and accurately gauge the wall without turning or moving their head.
ASK QUESTIONS
Swimmers and parents are invited to ask the clinicians questions during a Q&A session. Gain insight into their training regimen, diet and nutrition, and recovery tactics.
WATCH THE CLINICIANS
Observe clinicians 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
Throughout the camp, swimmers will practice what they've learned with some of the world's most elite Swimmer Clinicians and coaches!
Take a photo, get autographs, and chat with your clinicians!
Gabrielle Hillis
Gabby Hillis combines her love for swimming and passion for working with young athletes in a career as a swim coach. She strives to help swimmers learn, grow, share, improve and enjoy what they are doing. She says, "Any positive impact I can make towards a swimmer’s success makes it all worth it!”.
Inquisitive, Educated Swimmers are Faster Swimmers! Sign up today!
