THE WORLD’S FIRST SWIMMING CAMP FOR GIRLS

open water swimming trials camp Akomak ontario

  • Competitive and open water
  • Novices rapidly improve strokes
  • Competition level swimmers

“Swim camp” has come to mean days of intensive training, usually indoors at a college pool with kids living in bland dorm rooms.  Camp Ak-O-Mak, however, is the REAL DEAL!

There is no better place for girls to improve their swimming than in the refreshing environment at Camp Ak-O-Mak. 50-meter and 25-meter pools are built right into the lake for swim practices and technical work. You already spend all year in a pool.  Experience the joy of swim practice under the warmth of the summer sun, surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Our professional, Level 4 certified swim coach helps youngsters at all levels improve their swimming.

OPEN WATER SWIMMING – An Olympic event since 2012.

Camp Ak-O-Mak has been producing open water swimmers since 1928!  Thousands of girls have discovered the benefits of the open water:  increased endurance, stroke rate, rhythm and mental fortitude.  In 2007, Camp Ak-O-Mak was recognized by the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame as a certified training center.  Several Lake Ontario swimmers got their start at Camp Ak-O-Mak!

Anytime our orange and green canoes are crossing the lake, you will find several keen Ak-O-Makkers taking advantage of the opportunity for an enjoyable open-water swim. Some are working toward our prestigious mileage award, the Matt Mann Cup; others might be fluidly enjoying an afternoon workout with a friend; 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.

Swimming in the daily schedule

Early Bird

Campers awaken each morning eager to participate in the first activity of the day: a mandatory early bird 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 to paddle a canoe (to accompany the swimmers), run on the trails, or bike. Campers in the “Learn to Swim program” and girls 12 and under have the option of a shorter swim in our protected bay. They may also choose to paddle, run or bike.

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 each swimmer and help her address her personal goals.

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, choice classes, or a launching of our fleet of canoes for a paddle across the lake!