San Luis Swim Camp Series (Ages 9-12), San Luis Obispo, CA
SLO Swim Center
902 Southwood Dr,
San Luis Obispo,
CA 93401
Introduction
Fitter & Faster is producing a series of swim camps for competitive swimmers ages 9 to 12 at SLO Swim Center in San Luis Obispo, California, in 2026! Please click here for the swim camp page for swimmers ages 13 & over.
2026 San Luis Obispo Swim Camp Series
-> Day Fast Freestyle & Butterfly Technique (September 12-13)
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.
Session Start times (Both Camps - Both Days)
-> Check-in 8am, Camp 8:15-10:45am
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 9 to 12. 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 9 and would like for your swimmer to be considered for the younger sessions of this camp, please complete this questionnaire.
Curriculum
Give your swimmer the tools to race faster in freestyle and butterfly at this focused two-day technique camp on September 12–13. Elite clinicians will refine bodyline, breathing, rotation, kick, and pull so swimmers leave with clear, practical adjustments they can apply immediately in practice and at meets.
- Session 1: FREESTYLE TECHNIQUE: Whether your swimmer is just learning freestyle or already competing at the high school level, it’s never too late to build strong habits. In this session, your swimmer will work on bodyline, rotation, breathing, kick, and pull—five key elements that contribute to an efficient, powerful freestyle.
- Bodyline: A streamlined body position is the foundation of a fast freestyle. Even small adjustments to head, neck, or back alignment can make a significant difference. As swimmers grow and mature, they often develop habits that disrupt bodyline. Your swimmer will learn how to maintain proper posture and engage the core to stay long and hydrodynamic through every stroke.
- Breathing: Efficient breathing is a challenge but critical to maintaining bodyline. Lifting the head too high causes hips to drop and drag to increase. Clinicians will work with participants to keep the head low and horizontal during the breath, using controlled rotation of the neck and body for a smooth, quick inhale.
- Rotation: Freestyle is most powerful when the swimmer rotates around their spine with each stroke. Rotation allows swimmers to use their back and core muscles during the pull, making the stroke stronger and more sustainable. Your swimmer will learn how to glide on one side and initiate rotation as the pulling hand begins its movement.
- Kicking: The kick is the motor of freestyle. Swimmers must drive from the hips and knees with good timing and control. This session will help your swimmer understand how to adjust kick tempo and power to provide speed when they want or need it.
- Pull: Clinicians will teach participants to establish a “high elbow catch,” also known as early vertical forearm, to apply pressure to the water immediately. Swimmers will then work on pushing water directly back towards their feet with sustained leverage, engaging large muscle groups for a powerful finish to each stroke.
- Session 2: BUTTERFLY TECHNIQUE: We want your swimmer to establish a rhythmic butterfly. Today we will practice various drills and skills that will enable your swimmer to have flowing hips and a long, more powerful butterfly stroke.
- Bodyline: A butterfly race is going to be fastest with a proper bodyline. Even the slightest adjustment of the chin, neck, and/or back can make a huge difference. As swimmers mature in the sport and grow physically, their body position shifts and bad habits can emerge. Participants will learn and practice proper posture and engagement of their core to have a strong foundation for better technique - creating a full-body connection for more hydrodynamic and efficient butterfly strokes.
- Kick: Each butterfly stroke has two kicks to propel the swimmer towards the other end of the pool! If the kicks are properly timed and equally strong, they can positively impact your swimmer’s efficiency and stroke timing! Your swimmer will work on how and when to kick in butterfly for maximum speed.
- Pull: Long and smooth strokes allow swimmers to have a more efficient and fluid butterfly. The pull in butterfly keeps a swimmer accelerating forward. Your clinicians will work with participants to establish an early vertical forearm, “the catch”, enabling the swimmers to put immediate pressure back on the water. Properly completing the stroke keeps the swimmer moving forward efficiently and fast.
- Breath: The timing of the breath in butterfly has a direct relationship on a swimmer’s body position, pull, kick and TIMES! At this camp, we will work with participants on breathing with their chin low to the water... and WHEN to breathe in their stroke cycle so that they develop the most efficient stroke possible!
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!
Pavel Romanov
Russian born Pavel Romanov is a record holder at the University of Alabama and a NCAA Champion. He has a passion for studying swimming and now he is able to share all that he's learned with your swimmer. Sign up for a dynamic learning experience with Pavel!
Inquisitive, Educated Swimmers are Faster Swimmers! Sign up today!
