Swimming

The world’s first swimming and sports camp for girls

There is no better place for girls of every level to improve their swimming than at Camp Ak-O-Mak. We have 50-meter and 25-meter pools built right into the lake for swim practices and technical work. Experience the joy of swim practice under the warmth of the summer sun, immersed in the softness of our beautiful lake water!

Our professional Level 4 certified swim coaches help youngsters at any level improve their swimming. Written feedback is provided at the end of each session.

Open water swimming

Open water swimming is a race that is held in a larger body of water over a specified distance. Whereas pool swimming is a time challenge in a controlled environment, open water swimming is a timed, distance event against the variables levied by Mother Nature (water temperature, wind, waves, current, etc.).

Open water swimming as a training modality increases endurance, stroke rate and rhythm, as well as mental fortitude. In 2007, Camp Ak-O-Mak was recognized by the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame as a certified training centre. Several Lake Ontario swimmers got their start at our camp.

Swim meets for competitive swimmer

Competitive swimmers have the opportunity to participate in swim meets. Some swim meets are held in house and against our brother camp, Camp Chikopi. We also attend open water competitions held in Southern Ontario. Other meets outside of camp vary depending on the schedule of a particular year, the location of the meet, and other logistical factors.

Swimming in the daily schedule

Early Bird

Campers awake each morning eager to participate in the first activity of the day: a mandatory early bird morning swim, run, paddle or bike ride. Competitive swimmers choose either a 1.5 km or 3 km open water swim along our beautiful shore to neighbouring “Rocky Reef”. One milers exit here, lace up their running shoes and jog back to camp on our woodland trail, while the two milers round the buoy and head for home. Each swimmer is accompanied by a canoe both for safety and to keep her on course.

Non-competitive swimmers choose from paddling a canoe (to accompany the swimmers) or a run on the trails. Campers in the “Learn to Swim program” and girls 12 and under may have the option of a shorter swim in our protected bay. They may also choose paddling, running or some combination.

Morning Classes

After early bird, everyone enjoys a delicious hot breakfast and then it is time for some cabin clean up. This also gives the girls an opportunity to gather their “stuff” for the 3 morning classes. Each class is approximately 55 minutes long and 1 of the 3 classes is always swimming – either a technical session for the competitive swimmers or an instructional class for those learning the basics. The small class size permits our coaches and their assistants to provide personalized attention to the swimmer and help her address her personal goals for the summer.

Afternoon Activity

After a hearty lunch and a little down time for rest hour, everyone has recharged and is ready for the afternoon activity involving the entire camp. This activity can be anything – a “team-comp” challenge, a mountain bike ride, field day with Camp Chikopi, or a launching of our fleet of canoes for a paddle across the lake!

Anytime our orange and green canoes are crossing the lake you will find several keen Ak-O-Makkers taking advantage of the opportunity for a long, open water swim. Some are working toward our prestigious mileage award, the Matt Mann Cup. Many use it as an afternoon workout with a friend, but everyone who swims alongside the canoes does it because it is different and FUN! There is nothing more beautiful than seeing our girls in those orange and green canoes, a “singing floatilla” alongside the glistening arms of the swimmers they guard. Now THAT is a swim practice!

This schedule allows girls to swim once, twice and sometimes three times daily depending on their age, personal goals, ability, choice, the weather, the coach’s plan and the overall camp schedule.