Two-time Olympian Olivia Smoliga Launches In Depth Swimming Academy: ‘A Passion to Bring Something New’
When Olivia Smoliga was a young teenager, like many swimmers, she looked up to the Olympians.
Smoliga took advantage of every chance she could to meet them and learn from them through clinics.
But as Smoliga became an two-time Olympian and was put into that position as a role model, she realized something was missing from traditional swim clinics.
Smoliga, determined to give young swimmers a more well-rounded experience, has started In Depth Swim Academy, with a new look on clinics.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Smoliga told Swimming World. “I am calling it an academy because swimmers will actually be in classrooms learning and soaking in actual tools they can take home with them to implement into their daily routine. To me, this is invaluable. I have been keeping my younger self in mind. What would be really dope for a 12-year-old? A 17-year-old? When I was 10, I would just be eating up whatever Olympians said. I went to a clinic with Amanda Weir and I just ate it up.
“I was thinking about the clinic structure and how a lot of them are the same thing. The swimmer jumps in and demo their drills and does the Q&A and an autograph and a picture and then it is done,” Smoliga said. “I wish they were a little more unique and had some continued education with it.”
Smoliga was on to something.
“It felt like it happened overnight where I had this huge passion and drive to create something new,” she said. “What makes In Depth Swim Academy different is it will be a two-day event and there will be two pool sessions with the basic structure, but then what is added to it is mobilization and activation sessions (stretches specific to swimmers) beforehand and recovery sessions. But what is really cool is doing meditative yoga and breath work, tools that the swimmers can take home with them.
“But my favorite part is the classroom workshops. We will have a goal-setting workshop and a visualization workshop, talking about short-term and long-term goals. This is something for them to take home.”
It is something that really stood out to Smoliga when she was younger and something that she hopes can encourage swimmers in and out of the water.
“I was reflecting my time as a young swimmer about visualizing our races as a young swimmer. They were popular in the elite, but this mindful training is really coming alive,” Smoliga said. “To be able to talk to swimmers about where they want to be in a year and owning the goals, which is really powerful. I want this to be a safe space for these athletes to really talk about things.”
She will cater to a high school group and a 9-12 age group with a maximum of 40 swimmers per session. The academy’s first in-person event will take place Feb. 15-16 exclusively with New Trier Aquatics in Winnetka, Illinois.
The clinic, which will implement underwater filming, is partnered with Go Swim, FINIS and Jolyn Swimwear. The clinic fee also gets you a full year subscription to the Go Swim app with regular check-ins from Smoliga, a 15% discount at FINIS and a swimsuit from Jolyn.
“I hope to expand to speak to high school and college programs to speak as someone who has been there and be relatable,” she said. “This is about becoming a well-rounded human and going after what you want in life. I haven’t been so fired up for something in a long time.”
The academy welcomes swimmers of all levels, ages 9 to 18, offering a safe and inspiring
space for athletes to grow, connect, and challenge themselves. For high school, collegiate and
international team inquiries please email: contact@indepthswimacademy.com.
Event Details:
● Duration: 2 days, in person
● Location: Multiple locations on the In Depth Swim Academy website
● Pricing:
○ $180 (Ages 9-12)
○ $220 (Ages 13+)
● Early Bird Special: Sign up in the first 3 months and save 15% (Ends March 20th)
○ $150 (Ages 9-12)
○ $190 (Ages 13+)
● Capacity: 30 swimmers per age group (max total of 60 swimmers per event)
For more information and to register, visit: indepthswimacademy.com
I love what she says. And hope her the best or her ideas…