Go Inside the USA Swimming National Select Camp (Video)

COLORADO SPRINGS – The USA Swimming National Select Camp has been a breeding ground for some of the country’s best elite swimmers, many of whom graduated to the USA Swimming National Team and the Olympic Team.

Four athletes who participated in previous National Select Camps would win Olympic gold medals: Matt Grevers. Tyler Clary, Rebecca Soni and Katie Ledecky. This year’s group of 32 boys and 32 girls were welcomed to the U.S. Olympic Training Center on October 23 with the proclamation that a few of them would join the more than a dozen previous Select Camp participants who now call themselves Olympians.

Swimming World’s Jeff Commings was given exclusive and unlimited access to the three-day camp, and we take you inside the camp in three videos.

Day One (October 23)

In addition to an introduction by camp organizer Peter Clark, campers announced some of their goals and listened to a motivational speech by National team Director Frank Busch.

After time in the classroom, the athletes jumped into the pool for a fun workout. Women’s head coach Kate Lundsten challenged them with a kick set that dared anyone to complete 100 meters of long course kicking in one minute and 20 seconds, starting in the middle of the pool. Three athletes made the interval!

Day Two (October 24)

The national select camp is not only about learning about how to be a better swimmer through rigorous workouts. Athletes spent more than three hours each day in classrooms learning about Safe Sport objectives, nutrition, the USA Swimming national team and techniques for starts and turns.

Day Three (October 25)

The highlight of the third day of the camp is receiving a special swim cap that the campers earned for their hard work in the water. The men’s team devised a ceremonial approach to handing out the caps, calling out each member of the team to shake the coaches’ hands and accept the cap. The women’s team got the privilege of getting their caps from Olympic silver medalist Kristy Kowal.

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Robby

9 years ago

How do swimmers qualify for this camp? Is it based on national level rankings? I’ve been trying to find the info, but I can’t seem to find it.

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Jeff Commings

9 years ago

Reply to Robby

Robby, watch the beginning of the day two video. Peter Clark explains it very well.

Chris Burke

9 years ago

Really enjoyed Kevin Zacher’s “deck of cards” workouts! Very fun!