Comprehensive Breaststroke Racing Swim Camp (Ages 12 & Over), Chicago, IL
McCormick YMCA
1834 N Lawndale Ave,
Chicago,
IL 60647
Introducción
Fitter & Faster is producing a 2-day swim camp for competitive swimmers ages 12 & Over at the McCormick YMCA in Chicago, IL, February 28 & March 1, 2026!
Comprehensive Breaststroke Racing Swim Camp (Ages 12 & Over)
-> Day 1 (Saturday, February 28, 2026): Breaststroke Racing Technique
-> Day 2 (Sunday, March 1, 2026): Breaststroke Racing & Training Skills
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.
⏰ Don’t wait - Prices will go up as the camp gets closer! Secure your spot at the lowest rate today.
SESSION START TIMES FOR ALL DAYS: CHECK-IN 12:15 PM, CAMP 12:30-3:30 PM
Participantes sugeridos
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 12 & older. Participants will range from one year of competitive swimming experience to AAAA times and faster.
Plan de estudios
At the highest level of swimming, breaststroke has the most varied technique. Out of the eight finalists at the Olympic Games, you might see eight different styles of breaststroke! A swimmer's timing and ability to eliminate resistance are hallmarks of an efficient and powerful breaststroker. No matter your swimmer’s level, this 2-day camp will strengthen their technique, racing and training skills that will lead to faster and more efficient breaststroke races… and faster IM’s!
- Session 1: BREASTSTROKE TECHNIQUE: Breaststroke is unique—no two swimmers look the same at the elite level. It’s all about reducing resistance, perfecting timing, and finding what works for each individual. We’ll build a foundation and then help each swimmer refine their style for maximum speed and efficiency. No matter your swimmer’s level, this session will strengthen their technique and lead to faster and more efficient breaststroke races… and faster IM’s!
- Bodyline: With the most drag of any stroke, breaststroke demands constant attention to body position. We’ll work on keeping the head, hips, and spine aligned and moving forward at every point in the stroke—especially during the crucial first strokes off each wall.
- Kick: A strong, powerful kick is key in breaststroke. In every breaststroke kick, the ankles should stay outside the knee. The optimal size of the kick varies by each swimmer and is highly dependent on knee and ankle flexibility. Swimmers who view themselves as “bad” at breaststroke kick often only need to focus on decreasing the size of their kick and they can unlock unknown potential.
- Pull: To have a great breaststroke pull, swimmers need to keep their elbows near the surface of the water and out in front of their shoulders at all times. Once the hands turn in and begin the “recovery” phase they need to move quickly to full extension in front of the body to reestablish bodyline. The pull pattern varies based on a swimmer’s kick. We’ll help swimmers match their pull width and tempo to their natural kick style—maximizing propulsion and efficiency.
- Timing: Elite breaststrokers are constantly tweaking their timing to achieve the ideal combination of power and efficiency. Our clinicians will introduce key drills that help connect the pull, kick, breath, and glide into a smooth, powerful cycle.
- Session 2: BREASTSTROKE RACING & TRAINING SKILLS : On the first day of this camp swimmers worked on techniques to implement an efficient breaststroke. On Day 2 we will work on applying speed to their breaststroke! Our objective is to get your swimmer to maintain their technique with distance per stroke, tempo, and flowing speed.
- TEMPO: Tempo in breaststroke is the rate at which a swimmer can get back into the proper bodyline to establish a high-speed glide. When swimming breaststroke races, many athletes tend to take too many strokes without ever getting into the proper bodyline. At this camp we will explore different tempos that are sustainable for any distance and allow for the proper glide between strokes.
- DISTANCE PER STROKE: One way to increase efficiency is to take fewer strokes. Counting the number of strokes a swimmer takes per lap, while improving technique to decrease that number, will enable them to be more efficient and even conserve energy. At this session, participants will discover how changing speeds might change their stroke-count, but should not change the effectiveness of each stroke.
- PACING: A breaststroker’s pace is going to change during a race and from distance to distance. When swimming breaststroke, your swimmer can learn to measure their pace using tempo and distance per stroke. At this session we will practice race strategy pacing for all breaststroke events.
- BREASTSTROKE PULLOUTS: The breaststroke pullout is an important and unique part of every breaststroke race. We will work with participants on minimizing resistance in their pull-outs and establishing maximum speed. The pullout can be used strategically, depending on the distance of the race, to cover more ground before breaking out.
- TRAINING BREASTSTROKE: At the end of this session your swimmer will do a short and fast swim set to practice everything they have learned over the past two days.
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!
Finn Brooks
Finn Brooks is an American Record Holder and one of the fastest breaststrokers in U.S. history. He brings elite experience and a genuine passion for teaching to every clinic, making each session engaging, fun, and impactful. Finn loves helping swimmers build confidence, improve their technique, and discover a lifelong love for the sport.
Inquisitive, Educated Swimmers are Faster Swimmers! Sign up today!
