Published: 09/29/2026 - 8:00 AM
Phoenixville, PA - September 29, 2026 - The Phoenixville YMCA will host the Fitter and Faster Swim Camp on Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, bringing Olympic gold medalists Bobby Finke and Nick Thoman to the pool deck alongside former Phoenixville YMCA swimmer Anya Mostek. The two-day camp will bring together approximately 100 swimmers ages 9 and older, including many from Greater Philadelphia YMCA branches, for hands-on technique instruction from some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes.
On Saturday, Finke and Mostek will lead freestyle technique sessions. On Sunday, Thoman and Mostek will shift the focus to backstroke. Each day, swimmers will train in one of three age-group sessions and receive individualized feedback, watch demonstrations, practice new skills and take part in a question-and-answer session with the clinicians, with time set aside for photos and autographs.
For Mostek, the camp is a homecoming. A Haverford native, she swam for the Phoenixville Area YMCA club team through her 2022 graduation from The Baldwin School before competing for Harvard University, where she earned six Ivy League titles and became the second Ivy League swimmer to win the 100 backstroke four times. She has since won a silver medal at the World University Games, qualified for the NCAA Championships and competed at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.
Finke is a two-time Olympic champion in the 1500-meter freestyle, winning gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games and again at the Paris 2024 Games, where he set a world record of 14:30.67. He also won gold in the 800-meter freestyle in Tokyo and silver in the event in Paris. Thoman won Olympic gold in the 4x100-meter medley relay and silver in the 100-meter backstroke at the London 2012 Games, and he set a short course world record in the 100-meter backstroke.
“It’s not every day that young swimmers get to stand on the pool deck and learn from Olympic champions, and that kind of access can change how a kid sees the sport and themselves,” said Aimee Smith, Executive Director of Programs and Aquatics at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. “What makes this weekend even more special is that one of these Olympians is one of our own. Anya came up through the Phoenixville YMCA swim team, and having her back to coach the next generation shows every swimmer here just how far they can go.”
The camp comes as the Phoenixville YMCA looks ahead to a milestone of its own: the branch will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2027.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: Fitter and Faster Swim Camp: Freestyle and Backstroke Technique Development
WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2026: Freestyle, with Bobby Finke and Anya Mostek Sunday, October 4, 2026: Backstroke, with Nick Thoman and Anya Mostek Daily sessions: ages 9 to 11, 8:45 to 11:15 a.m.; ages 12 to 13, 12:00 to 2:30 p.m.; ages 14 and older, 3:15 to 5:45 p.m.
WHERE: Phoenixville YMCA 400 E. Pothouse Road Phoenixville, PA 19460
WHO:
- Approximately 100 swimmers ages 9 and older, including [#] from Greater Philadelphia YMCA branches
- Bobby Finke, three-time Olympic gold medalist
- Nick Thoman, Olympic gold and silver medalist
- Anya Mostek, World University Games silver medalist and former Phoenixville YMCA swimmer
- Phoenixville YMCA coaches and staff
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- On Saturday, October 3, Bobby Finke and Anya Mostek will lead freestyle technique sessions for all three age groups.
- On Sunday, October 4, Nick Thoman and Anya Mostek will lead backstroke technique sessions for all three age groups.
- Each session includes hands-on instruction, individualized feedback, demonstrations and a Q&A with the clinicians, plus photos and autographs.