April 13-14 Peak Performance Spring Weekend Swim Clinic Boston, Massachusetts
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.
Our two-day clinics are open to competitive swimmers ages 8-18, with a focus on the physical, technical, and mental sides of swimming. From a physical standpoint, our training sets and dry-land training sessions are designed to challenge swimmers to the fullest. From a technical standpoint, swimmers will learn the technical secrets of elite level swimmers. From a mental standpoint, our signature Swim Positive philosophy will enlighten swimmers on the benefits of positive thinking.
Camp Director
Nick Baker
Nick Baker cofounded the original Peak Performance Swim Camp in 1996. In 2005 he branched out on his own and founded the present-day version. His vision was to create a holistic camp with a focus on developing the whole swimmer from a mental, technical, and physical perspective.
Nick 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 18 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 in the 100 BR placing fourteenth overall. Nick attended the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games as Lisa's personal coach. Lisa also won the 200 BR at NCAA Division 1 Championships, medalled at the Pan American Games, and competed in her second Olympics in 1996 placing twelfth overall in the 100 BR.
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.
Since the camp's inception, Nick has traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad, conducting his holistic swim camps. Past international locations include: Antigua, Aruba, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, China, Curacao, England, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, and Venezuela. Past U.S. locations include: Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Peak Performance Swim Camp currently offers more than two dozen swim camps and clinics annually including clinics for triathletes and master swimmers. More than 800 swimmers participated in 2011. Private coaching as well as start, stroke, and turn video analysis are also available throughout the year.
In 2007, Nick formed a dynamic partnership with Nike-United States Sports Camps (USSC). USSC is the official and exclusive operator of US Sports/Nike Camps, America's largest sports camp network and official operator of Nike Sports Camps worldwide.
Over the last thirty-nine 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.
Nick has been a featured writer in Swimming World magazine and presented at numerous coaching clinics throughout the world. He also acts as a consultant to various swim teams including the Greenwich YMCA in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Weekend Clinic
April 13-14 (Saturday & Sunday from 9:00am-4:00pm)
The clinic curriculum is a mental, technical, and physical blend based on our unique holistic philosophy. Although shorter in duration than our week-long camps, each clinic features highlights from our challenging PEAK 1 camp curriculum. In addition, swimmers are assigned to lanes based on their ability not age.
From a mental standpoint, swimmers will be introduced to the ideal training mindset, as well as the ideal racing mindset based on a number of individual criteria. From a technical standpoint, swimmers will be taught the same start, stroke, and turn techniques used by the world's top swimmers. From a physical standpoint, our in-water training sets and dry-land training sets will challenge each swimmer to the fullest.
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
Camp Pool Location
100 Morrissey Blvd
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
Empowering camp experience!
Dear Coach Nick, Thank you for such an empowering camp experience. Throughout the camp, the coaches created a positive environment that served as a catalyst for positive change.
Upon leaving the camp I felt physically stronger, technically better equipped, and most of all, mentally tougher. I had always been, as you put it, a race horse. I went to all the practices, but was always saving my energy for that one killer main set. I was in a survivalistic mindset that kept me in my comfort zone. Through your camp I have realized that staying in my comfort zone will not get me anywhere. As a result of your swim camp, I am mentally equipped and have been welcoming each challenge set back in club practice. I will continue to strive to become a Race-practice horse so as to maximize my gain and minimize my time.
So far in the week of club swimming that I've had since the camp, I have made a conscious effort to keep what I learned in camp with me. I still wear the Swim Positive wrist band on my ankle every day. The wrist band really brings your philosophy into tangible form, and it really helps to remind me of everything I have learned.
Each day brings a new challenge and because of your swim camp, I feel ready and happy to face what adversity might come. I will always remember those talks that you had with the Elite group before getting into the water. They really helped me by providing encouragement and hope. Whenever I dislike a set, I remember what you said about thinking about what helps me, rather than what I like. All in all, your swim camp has really changed my outlook on practice and swimming itself. Truly, you have changed my attitude towards the sport, and for that you have my utmost thanks. Thank you for your commitment and level of dedication to the swimmers at your swim camp; I am sure we all appreciate it.
Amazing!
Hi Coach Baker, Another well run camp and an action packed two days!... Leslie was thrilled to be able to attend and even more pleased to find Coach Tim in her corner again...it was just like picking up from where we left off last camp in Mount Kisco!
The timing couldn't have been better as we had an A-Champs meet the following weekend in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and Lilah P.B.'d in all but one of her events.(definitely in response to some of the critical technique refinements and enthusiasm she gained from her time in Baltimore).
Our Nickel City Aquatics team ended up taking 1st place overall at that meet for the small teams category. We can't thank you and your team enough for the dedication and care you put into your camps. It's been an honour and privilege to have taken part in these. We hope to meet again someday soon.
Camper Peak Performance Swim Camps
Learn new techniques!
Nick, I'm at JO's tonight and another coach comes up to me and tells me that our breaststrokers look really good. I told him that I had learned the technique from you and somehow it had permeated through the whole team. One of our girls even got the NSCA cut in the 200. Your teaching reaches far and wide my friend.