June 10-14 Peak Performance Swim Camps Somerset, Kentucky
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.
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, all of our camps 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
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.
Read Full BioIn 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.
PEAK 1:
PEAK 2:
PEAK 3:
PEAK 3 offers a 75/25 blend of technical and physical conditioning and well suited for swimmers with competitive swimming experience of three or less years or who have not yet qualified for top age group competition. Participants must possess the maturity and discipline to handle 2 hours of in-water training per day plus 40 minutes of dry-land training per day. In addition, they must exhibit a medium degree of technical competency and physical fitness. Participants must be able to perform all four competitive strokes and turns and the three competitive starts (front, back, relay) at a rudimentary (or above) level.
Rather than offer generic sets, each practice is created to reflect the group's needs and talent level.
All-together PEAK 3 includes: 5 in-water training sessions, 5 dry-land training sessions; and 5 mental conditioning sessions.
Camp Details
Camp Extras
Price: $185.00 (Only 12 Hours Available – Limit 2 Hours per Swimmer)
Additional private hours, with an assistant coach, are also available. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis and limited to two hours per swimmer. To reserve space contact Coach Baker at nickbaker@swimcamp.com. The cost of a one-hour private is $100.00 payable by check or cash upon arrival.
- Below and above water videotaping of all 4 strokes
- A one-on-one video review with former Olympic Coach Nick Baker
- A written summary and recommendations for improvement emailed within 3 weeks of camp conclusion
- Video and written analysis posted online for your review
- Price: $475.00 (Only 4 Video Packages Available)
- Below and above water videotaping of all 4 starts and turn
- A one-on-one video review with former Olympic Coach Nick Baker
- A written summary and recommendations for improvement emailed within 3 weeks of camp conclusion
- Video and written analysis posted online for your review
- Price: $475.00 (Only 4 Video Packages Available)
Camp Pool Location
Area Hotels
50 Stevie Lynn Drive
Somerset, KY 42503
1201 S. Hwy. 27
Somerset, KY 42501
Peak Performance Swim Camper
Thanks Coach Baker!
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.