> Swim Clinics
ABOUT THE SWIM CLINICS
By far, Open Water Swim CHICAGO'S most popular offering is the Swim Clinic. A collection of local coaches will offer basic swim education, then lead the small group through several swim drills with one-on-one feedback. The following topics will be addressed in each small group clinic:
> How open water swimming differs from the pool
> Rules of the triathlon swim
> Swim etiquette at Ohio Street Beach
> Properly wearing & removing a wetsuit
> Common issues (hyperventilating, pacing, swells, etc.)
> Basic principles of sighting
> Swimming in packs
> Various short distance swim drills
SWIM REQUIREMENTS
The clinics are designed to acclimate new triathletes and novice swimmers to open water swimming, not necessarily to teach the fundamentals of swimming (although we're happy to refer anyone who needs 1:1 instruction). At the least, OWS participants must be able to tread water on their own, comfortably place their face under the surface, and maintain some level of forward propulsion.
SWIM CLINIC FORMATS
There are two formats to Open Water Swim CHICAGO's Swim Clinics: The Signature Clinics and the Pop-Up Clinics.
The Signature Swim Clinics are held on Tuesday evenings (May 28, June 25, July 23 and August 20). Tuesday evening sessions are much larger and require much more advance planning. Tuesday night swim clinic participants are required to declare their experience level (beginner, intermediate or advanced) and choose a specific start time (4:00, 5:15 or 6:30 PM) when registering. Swim Coaches will teach from a standardized curriculum with the following standards in mind:
- Beginner: No to little open water experience. First-timers should select this option.
- Intermediate: Enough experience to comfortably swim on your own (non-stop) for 20+ minutes.
- Advanced: Extremely confident swimming on their own (even in challenging water conditions) for 40+ minutes.
Upon check-in, these participants are assigned to a specific set of swim coaches for the duration of the 45-minute session. There are multiple sessions held simultaneously for beginner, intermediate and advanced-level participants.
We recommend new swimmers enroll in the Beginner clinic session. Once they complete the session and feel confident, they can upgrade to Intermediate or Advanced levels for subsequent sessions. On average, swimmers will participate as a Beginner twice before upgrading to Intermediate level. We strongly encourage participants to build toward the Aquathlon option in August -- a great race simulation for the Chicago Triathlon or other late season triathlon. Curriculum levels can be adjusted after the initial registration process.
The Pop-Up Swim Clinics are held on Saturdays, and offer a more boutique experience (smaller and simpler). Registered participants can arrive at any time between 8:00 and 10:30 AM. Instead of several simultaneous small group clinics, coaches will host one swim orientation every 30-minutes on the beach -- sharing insights into swimming at Ohio Street Beach, the general open water swim experience and Chicago Triathlon-specific details. After that orientation, swimmers can move into the lake and receive guidance from coaches roaming both in the water and along the seawall. These Pop-Up clinics are much more tailored to first-time and beginner-level swimmers.
Please note: Wetsuit rental will NOT be provided at the Saturday Pop-Up Clinics. We recommend you contact Urban Tri Gear directly for private arrangements.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Participants may register for any of the seven dates independently or all at once, and requested curriculum levels (beginner, intermediate, etc) can be adjusted after the initial registration process. All participants must be 18 years or older by the event date. Registration opens at $20 plus typical fees, then increase to $30 two weeks prior to each session. Capacity is limited to 150 participants per time block, which means many of the events will sell out. session. Due to capacity restrictions, there are no refunds, deferrals or transfers allowed.
EVENT DAY
We recommend all Tuesday participants arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of their session. It will take time to check-in with event staff, rent a wetsuit (if they prefer), use the Gear Check facility, and gather on the beach for a briefing before the session begins. The clinics will last 45 minutes. Participants are encouraged to continue swimming on their own once their formal session concludes. All participants must fully exit the water by 7:30 PM when the event officially concludes. An email confirmation will be sent four days prior to each session with more instruction. Visit the Event Details page for more insight into the event day experience.
Saturday morning participants are able to arrive any time between 8:00 and 10:30 AM. The orientation will last 30-45 minutes, then participants are encouraged to continue swimming on their own once their formal session concludes. All participants must fully check-out by 11:00 AM when the event officially concludes. An email confirmation will be sent four days prior to each session with more instruction. Visit the Event Details page for more insight into the event day experience.
WATER SAFETY
While we require all participants to have a general ability for self-sufficiency, Chicago Park District Life Guards will be on-hand throughout each session. Additionally, staff and coaches will monitor the swim course and support participants from the sea wall and via stand-up paddle board.
