April 3-6 Peak Performance Swim Camp Mount Kisco, New York
A Holistic Approach To Competitive Swimming
In order for a swimmer to realize their full swimming potential they must be mentally, technically and physically fit. Contrary to popular belief, physical fitness by itself is not enough. A swimmer must also possess a high degree of mental and technical fitness.
At Peak Performance we pride ourselves in offering a balance between physical, technical and mental training. Referring to the chart below Peak 1 offers a 75/25 blend of physical and technical conditioning, Peak 2 offers a 50/50 blend of physical and technical conditioning. In addition, we offer an in-depth mental conditioning curriculum designed to enhance a swimmer's self-esteem, develop focus skills and improve the ability to perform in stressful situations.
Camp Director
Nick Baker
Former Olympic Coach Nick Baker founded Peak Performance Swim Camp in 1996. His vision was to create a holistic approach that would maximize an individual's potential and meet the needs of competitive swimmers of all ages and abilities. Over the past 14 years thousands of swimmers have participated in a Peak Performance Swim Camp.
Read Full BioNick Baker has been involved in competitive swimming since 1961. He swam competitively for 11 years (and qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 200M Breaststroke), coached club swimming for 21 years, and has exclusively run swim camps for the past 17 years.
He started his coaching career in Canada in 1972, and moved to the United States in 1993 to run a competitive swim camp at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
In the year prior to moving to the United States, one of Nick' swimmers, Lisa Flood, qualified for the 1992 Canadian Olympic Team. Nick attended the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games as Lisa's personal coach. Lisa also won the NCAA Division 1 Championships in the 200-meter Breaststroke, medalled at the Pan American Games, and competed in her second Olympics in 1996.
In 1995, Nick published a motivational book for competitive swimmers entitled 101 Winning Ways. The material for the book came from observing the "winning ways" of successful swimmers.
In 1996, Nick founded Peak Performance Swim Camp. Since the camp's inception, Nick has traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad, conducting his one-of-a-kind swim camps. Past international locations include: Antigua, Aruba, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and Venezuela. Past U.S. locations include: Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Currently, Peak Performance Swim Camp offers more than two dozen swim camps annually. Year-round private camps are also available.
In 2007, Nick formed a dynamic relationship with Nike-US Sports Camps, Inc. (USSC). USSC is the official and exclusive operator of Nike Sports Camps, and the largest provider of sports camps in the United States.
Over the last 38 years, Nick has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities - including Olympic Finalists, Olympic Trial Qualifiers, NCAA Champions, Senior National Champions, Junior National Champions, State Champions, National and Junior National Qualifiers, Zone Champions, and Junior Olympic Champions.
Other highlights in Nick's coaching career include co-creating "The Missing Link Fitness Test" in conjunction with the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida. The test is an all-encompassing, strength and flexibility evaluation for competitive swimmers of all ages. Nick has also presented at numerous, international coaching clinics and consulted for various swim teams worldwide. He currently consults at the Greenwich Y in Greenwich, Connecticut.
PEAK 1:
Open to swimmers ages 11-18 who train 5,000 yards/meters (or greater) per practice.
PEAK 1 is our most challenging camp. It is well suited for accomplished senior-level swimmers and elite-level age group swimmers. Participants must be mentally, technically, and physically prepared to endure the rigors of 4.5 hours of in water training per day plus 1 hour of dry land training per day. Approximately 75% of the total pool time is dedicated to physical conditioning, however all sets include significant technical expectations.
Rather than offer a series of generic training sets, each practice is created to reflect the group's needs and talent level. In addition, we do not condone garbage yardage or mindless meters. Each lap of practice must have purpose!
Note: Peak 1 is not well suited for swimmers with swimming related injuries.
All-together PEAK 1 includes: 9-10 challenging in water training sessions; 4-5 dry land training sessions (including yoga); and 2-3 mental conditioning sessions.
PEAK 2:
Open to swimmers ages 8-18 who train between 3,000 to 5,000 yards/meters per practice.
PEAK 2 offers a 50/50 blend of physical and technical conditioning and well suited for medium to elite-level age group swimmers who have qualified for top age group competition in their state/province. Participants must possess the maturity and discipline to handle 4.5 hours of in water training per day plus 1 hour of dry land training per day. In addition, they must exhibit a high degree of physical fitness and technical competency. Participants must be able to perform all four competitive strokes and turns and the three competitive starts (front, back, relay).
Rather than offer a series of generic training sets, each practice is created to reflect the group's needs and talent level. In addition, we do not condone garbage yardage or mindless meters. Each lap of practice must have purpose!
All-together PEAK 2 includes: 9-10 challenging in water training sessions; 4-5 dry land training sessions (including yoga); and 2-3 mental conditioning sessions.
Camp Extras
101 WINNING WAYS: Written by former Olympic Coach Nick Baker, this book identifies 101 winning attitudes common to all great swimmers - including Michael Phelps. A must read for swimmers of all ages! Price: $15.00
Wow!
Wow! Just wanted to let you know how Dennis did at his high school meet last weekend. He swam the third leg of the 400 FR Relay. They had a big lead, so he swam with your new and vastly improved version of freestyle. He looked great and maintained the lead! He also swam the 100 BR and came up from the dive in first place and never gave up the lead. I think I can honestly say that was a first in his career. His starts and turns looked great. You really worked wonders with him this weekend. He seemed more confident than I have ever seen him before. He really takes in everything you say and believes that you give him the tools to be a better swimmer.
Learn new skills.
Dennis finds your sessions with him extremely productive and he is learning a great deal under your coaching and guidance.
Best Camp!
Attending your camp was one of the most memorable experiences my daughter has ever had. Megan had a blast and said she learned a great deal and worked harder than she had in a very long time. She is very anxious and excited to get started with the short course season. Your camp curriculum is far superior to anything we have ever experienced. Megan couldn't wait for the next practice to come. You are an excellent coach and positive role model. It was a true honor to have my daughter swim for you.
Parent of Peak Performance Camper
Thank you!
Where do I begin? We got home last night from a long, hot weekend at the Georgia Long Course Championships. It was so exciting – Chloe worked so hard all summer. When all the other kids were having sleepovers, sleeping in and going on vacation, Chloe gave it all up for her practices.
She came away being the Georgia Long Course Champion in the 50 Butterfly, 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, and (surprising us all!) 100 Freestyle. She was runner up in the 200 Backstroke, 200 Individual Medley, 200 Butterfly and 400 Individual Medley. 9 races, 9 best times and 9 AAAA swims. She broke the Georgia State Record in the 50 Butterfly and was the high point winner for 11-12 girls. The 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 50 Butterfly, 200 Backstroke and 200 Butterfly were all Top 10 National Times. She won the 100 Freestyle by over 2 seconds, which you and I both know in a 100 Freestyle is hard to do!
I asked her how she did it, and she said she remembered you telling her that freestyle and backstroke are more leg dominate than arm dominate strokes. She said she swam every race "stupid" with a clear mind. She said she had no idea before the meet that she could swim those times but used your mental techniques to help her on each race. There is no doubt in my mind that what she took away from you and your camp was the key to her success.
Thank you again for doing what you do, and thank you for the letter of encouragement you sent her before the meet! Everyone at the meet was amazed, and I gave all the credit to your camp and her coach!