Contributed by Crystie McGrail, NELMSC Coaches Chair
Throw out everything you ever knew about swimming. That is what I did Saturday, during a long and exceptional day of learning at the hands of Karlyn Pipes of Aquatic Edge.
Karlyn is an extremely versatile swimmer, having set over 200+ Masters World records, including at least one in each stroke. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2015. Add that to running her own company of presenting swim technique clinics all over the world, and you've got one impressive resume!
We were fortunate that Karlyn was able to make herself available for three separate modules in just ONE day:
- Coaches Only Workshop - Karlyn shared two presentations, the first on how to promote self-awareness in swimmers and the second on reasons for power failure.
- Faster Freestyle Swimming Clinic – Swimmers were introduced to techniques through Karlyn's Go Swim DVD on Freestyle and then moved to the pool. During this clinic participants from the coaches workshop were on deck to help facilitate and apply the principles they learned earlier.
- Multi-stroke Swimming Clinic – During this clinic, the other three strokes were explored. Again swimmers were first introduced to concepts via Karlyn's Go Swim DVD on All Strokes and then moved to the water.
The presentation of material was awe-inspiring in the number of A-HA moments, simple techniques, and easily implemented tips! I left feeling ready to change swimming lives for the better and with every tool I needed to do it!
I also want to acknowledge Karlyn's incredible spirit - this day included 9 hours of presenting and facilitating technique content! Karlyn presented with vibrancy and grace the entire time! Though you could buy her DVD's, I highly suggest that attending her clinic in person because it is an extraordinary learning opportunity! Or maybe if you are lucky you can visit her in Kona, Hawaii and get the full Aquatic Edge experience!
In true Masters fashion, we relocated to the hot tub!
Links referenced at the clinic:
1 - swimming muscles engaged: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rQ8iEGd2jk
2 - Faster Freestyle with VASA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTQpF_mmg44 (there are actually 4 segments to this, if you look at the video list on the right they should appear)