ELLAVATE Camp: Kickoff Clinic Reflection

Written By Ella Eastin

ELLAVATE (v.): to uplift, to inspire

 

The kickoff event to ELLAVATE Camps was a huge success. I love every opportunity to share the knowledge I accumulated over the 18 years that I spent swimming. But the best part is being able to stay connected to the sport that has given me so much. Throughout my swimming career, I was surrounded by people that lifted me up and inspired me, so my goal with ELLAVATE was to create an experience that provides that for others.

 

We spent half of our Sunday together, in and out of the water. Starting with an intro and an icebreaker, I got to know the awesome swimmers attending and provided my background and accomplishments to back up the instruction and advice I provided.

 

Water Time:

Two hour Comprehensive IM clinic in which we:

  • Worked on individual stroke technique

  • Connected technical similarities across all strokes

  • Discussed common habits and how to recognize and change them

  • Practiced untraditional drills

  • Raced: backwards freestyle

 

On Deck:

Speech:

  • I shared my personal Story

  • The ups and downs of my swimming career

  • Developing a chronic illness

  • Fostering passions outside of the water

  • Working towards my new career goal to become a doctor

  • Lunch from Wahoo’s (A SoCal favorite)

  • Q&A with great questions

  • Were you able to stay motivated after an amazing performance?

  • If you could go back to your club swimming years, would you do anything differently?

  • What was the transition like from club swimming to college in regards to contributing to a team instead of individual success?

 

Each swimmer went home with a sponsor gift including: an event t-shirt, arena cap, Bonkbreaker snack bar, SaltStick electrolyte chews, an Ellavate pen and note sheet for athletes to write what they learned and how they plan to ELLAVATE their game. Ultimately, the most important thing they left with was a smile. I wanted to provide the rare opportunity for athletes to slow down, be thoughtful, discover ways that will help them personally improve, and simply enjoy being in the water with other swimmers.


I received awesome feedback from athletes and parents. One swimmer wrote, “it was a great way to refresh myself on why I spend so many hours in the pool. I also enjoyed listening to Ella’s inspiring story, which makes me want to be a better person both in and out of the water.”

 

A few words that swimmers used to describe their experience:

Motivating

Encouraging

Fruitful

Inspired

Exciting

Fun

 

I am looking forward to bringing ELLAVATE to other pools and teams across the country.

Want to bring Ella and the Ellavate Swim Camp to your pool? Email me at eeastin@alumni.stanford.eduor drop me a line through my contact page.

Ella Eastin