BC High’s brand-new indoor swimming pool will be the scene for a gathering of young athletes who will participate in the school’s initial February School Vacation Swim Clinic later this month. The four-day, co-ed program— set for Feb. 17-20— is intended for competitive swimmers who want to take their skills to the next level.
“I think the clinic is a really good opportunity, especially for kids who know how to swim, but might not necessarily be doing it correctly,” said Sara Feloney, BC High’s director of aquatics and auxiliary programs.
The eight-lane pool setting — the school calls it a “natatorium”—is located inside the school’s Patrick F. Cadigan ’52 Foundation Wellness Complex, which opened for students and faculty on the Morrissey Boulevard campus last October.
There are no age restrictions, but Feloney said that participants must be able to swim several laps in a 25-yard pool. Kids and teens can sign up for individual days at $65 a session or enroll for the four days for $240.
On Tues., the 17th, the focus will be on freestyle, while Wednesday will be all about the breaststroke. On Thursday, participants can perfect their backstroke, and on Friday, they can wrap up with the butterfly.
The swimmers must bring a bathing suit, towel, and goggles, and be ready to work out from 9 to 11 a.m.
“I’ll talk them through what it should be like, and then they will get in the water and practice,” said Feloney, who plans to break down kick techniques, arm mechanics, and breathing.
“They’re going to get first-hand instruction,” she said. “I will watch them and say this is what you need to fix.”
She wants each swimmer to leave stronger than they arrived. “Sometimes you’re swimming,” she said, “and you feel like. ‘I got this, I’m going from one end to the other, what else is there?’”
Feloney wants to teach each participant what exactly they’re doing right and wrong. She said it’s all about the “little things you never thought of,” adding that “a tiny adjustment will make a huge difference.”
This clinic marks one of the first times that the greater community has been invited to use the new facility, but Feloney says it won’t be the last.
“It’s super important to us, we definitely want community engagement,” she told The Reporter. “Just having the Boys and Girls Club here or having different local schools here, whatever it might be. I don’t have that planned out yet, but it’s definitely something that we are interested in.”
Another series of swim lessons is planned for April, she noted. “They are open to the community. Anyone, anywhere can come to our lessons, and we would love to have them.”
To enroll in the clinic or future events visit, bchigh.edu/summer-camps. All questions can be directed to Feloney@bchigh.edu.
