Pre-Race Swim & Transition Clinics
An in-person, 90-minute swim and transition clinic is available to every registered athlete at no additional cost. Clinics start at 7:30 AM on the day before the race. Coaches, professional athletes, and sometimes Olympians lead the session.
What to Bring
The 5 Focals
Every Cal Tri clinic builds on the same five core open-water swimming techniques proven to improve speed, efficiency, and confidence.
Sailboat vs. Tugboat. Relaxed muscles, head down, hips and legs on top of the water. A flat body position slashes drag and lets you glide.
Think: the MLB pitcher. Decrease stroke count, recruit big muscle groups over small ones. Use hip rotation as propulsive force for a more powerful, efficient stroke.
Holding your breath is not a thing. Rotate one goggle out of the water (not two). Exhale through your mouth continuously. Breathe out of the top of your mouth when you turn.
Pick a fixed object to sight on (buoy, tree, building). Avoid stops and starts — keep momentum. Sight first, then breathe. Practice until it's reflexive.
Climbing a Ladder. Relaxed, high elbow outside the water (marionette). Wide 10&2 hand placement. Elbow leads the transition from glide to pull for maximum propulsion.
Add a Clinic to Your Registration
Clinics start at 7:30 AM on the day before race day. Register through your RunSignUp race entry — free add-on for all registered athletes.
Clinics are available at every Cal Tri Events race. For specific questions about clinic content or scheduling, visit the Cal Tri Events FAQ.
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