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French Creek State Park

Google Hopewell Lake - French Creek State Park Boat Rental is very close to the parking area.

  • Directions from the Philadelphia / King of Prussia area: Take 422 West past Pottstown to the first red light. Turn left onto River Bridge Road. Cross the bridge and make a right onto PA-724. Follow 724 West for 0.7 miles, then turn left on Red Corner Road. After 2.1 miles, make a left at the stop sign onto Shed Road. After 2.0 miles, the road will come to a T. Turn left on PA-345 South, then a quick right on Park Rd into the actual Park. Continue on Park Road for 2 miles and you'll see Hopewell Lake on your left. Continue to the next left after the park office. Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.
  • Directions from PA Turnpike (points south and west): Take the Morgantown exit (298) of the PA Turnpike. Take I-176 North for 0.1 miles to exit 1A. Turn right on PA-10 North and follow for 0.5 miles. Turn right on Joanna Road. After 0.9 miles, turn right on Elverson Road. After 0.6 miles, make a slight left onto Hopewell Road. Hopewell Road turns to Park Road. Pass South Entrance Road. After 3.8 miles on Hopewell / Park, turn right before the park office. (If you pass Hopewell Lake, you went too far). Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.


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Coached Pool Sessions

Lawrence Park Pool Session 1 visit free From $15 per visit with 10-Pack Swim Session pass Purchase required to enroll

Coached outdoor pool sessions. There are locker room, shower, and bathroom facilities at all locations. We may have up to 4-5 swimmers per lane or 28 swimmers per 6 lane pool. Expect to share a lane with up to 3-4 other swimmers (of similar abilities) at a time. Circle swimming is required for most sessions.

Heated outdoor pools have an approximate water temperature of 80-82F, or higher. Swimmers may be asked to assist with pulling the thermal covers off the pool before practice and/or putting the covers back on after practice.

Any session with less than 7 swimmers may be cancelled at the discretion of the coach/director.


Villanova University Pool Session 1 visit free From $15 per visit with 10-Pack Swim Session pass Purchase required to enroll

Coached indoor pool sessions. There are locker room, shower, and bathroom facilities at all locations. We may have up to 4-5 swimmers per lane or 28 swimmers per 6 lane pool. Expect to share a lane with up to 3-4 other swimmers (of similar abilities) at a time. Circle swimming is required for most sessions.

Any session with less than 7 swimmers may be cancelled at the discretion of the coach/director.


Open Water Training

Trooper Open Water Training $16 per class From $15 per visit with 10-Pack Swim Session pass Purchase required to enroll

Join our open water training sessions for fitness, for a triathlon, an open water swim, or any other competition. No prior OW experience is necessary, but swimmers must be confident in their ability to swim a 200-300 meter course without assistance. All swimmers must wear a bright colored swim cap or a New Wave Swim Buoy. NWSB is mandatory for anyone who has never completed a 300 yard open water loop without stopping. We generally have buoys available for sale on site.

Please try to sign up early for your session, if you are coming last minute after the session has started, you can still sign up and show up, but will need to sign in with a Staff Member/Lifeguard.

Open Water Swims will occur if the following criteria are met: Water temp of 50F or higher - Weather and water quality are acceptable.

- For April & October ONLY a minimum of 8 swimmers must reserve slots on Pike13 -

Swimming is not recommended for beginners and those who hold slower than 2:00-2:15 per 100y when the flow is greater than 3500-4000cfs.


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Newark Reservoir Open Water $16 per class From $15 per visit with 10-Pack Swim Session pass Purchase required to enroll

Join our open water training sessions for fitness, for a triathlon, an open water swim, or any other competition. No prior OW experience is necessary, but swimmers must be confident in their ability to swim a 400 meter course without assistance. All swimmers must wear a bright colored swim cap or a New Wave Swim Buoy. NWSB is mandatory for anyone who has never completed a 400 yard open water loop without stopping. We generally have buoys available for sale, or to borrow.

We highly recommend all swimmers wear a Swim Buoy as the water is very deep at the center (at least 60').

Please try to sign up early for your session, if you are coming last minute after the session has started, you can still sign up and show up, but will need to sign in with a Staff Member/Lifeguard.

Clinics

Level 1 - Swim Clinic Series $250 Purchase required to enroll

2 Clinic Options:
  • Stroke Clinic (Level 1) - *Must be able to swim one length of the pool (25 yds) without assistance. Work on long axis freestyle & backstroke. These clinics are open to swimmers and multi-sport athletes of all levels. Our primary focus will be to improve your overall efficiency and speed, both in the pool and in open water. Please have a set of fins and a pull buoy.

  • Stroke Clinic (Level 2) - *Must have previously taken any Level 1 Clinic series. Our focus will be to build on the form focused skills you learned in the Level 1 Clinic. Work on more advanced freestyle drills, build endurance & speed, and short axis strokes. Please have a set of fins and a pull buoy.

Pool Clinics $35 per class From $25 per visit with Pool Clinic: 5 Session Pass pass Purchase required to enroll

These clinics are open to swimmers and multi-sport athletes of all levels. Our primary focus will be to improve your overall efficiency and speed, both in the pool and in open water.

By participating, you will learn and practice drills focused on:
- Improved efficiency and connectivity with the water over time
- Conserving energy
- Getting used to getting out of your comfort zone
- Swimming faster with less energy expenditure in the pool and open water
- Having FUN in the process

Clinics are $35 each or $125 to attend all 5.
Purchase all 5 Clinics Here: https://frenchcreekracing.pike13.com/pack_products/899650

Women's Clinics $35 per class Purchase required to enroll

French Creek Racing is hosting four separate swim clinics specifically designed for anyone participating in the 2024 Women's PHL Triathlon. Past participants, Michele McCandless, US Masters Swimming Coach, and USAT Associate Coach, and Erin Taylor, USAT Level I Coach and US Masters Swimming Coach, will be on deck. "Coached by women for women." This clinic is designed to help manage your stress with holding your breath under water. Learn to breathe effectively and efficiently. Enhance your swimming fundamentals of body position, floating, kicking and pulling. We will review and practice serpentine swimming and turns. And finally, show you a few tips and tricks of swimming in crowds.

Adult (18+) Open Water Clinics $40 per class From $21 per visit with Open Water Clinic: 5 Session Pass pass Purchase required to enroll

These events are hosted by French Creek Racing, and are ideal for swimmers of all levels, from first time open water/ocean swimmers to experienced athletes looking to improve. Join us to practice drafting, sighting, buoy turns, race starts, mass swim starts, and much more! These clinics will help swimmers become more proficient and confident in open water.

Must be capable of swimming 400 meters without stopping.

General Open Water Clinic Schedule: Please bring everything that you will need to swim on your race day, including but not limited to: swim suit, swim cap, goggles, wetsuit, body glide, towel, basic nutrition/hydration, sunblock.
First 15 Minutes - On land open water overview, General Q&A, Ask me anything.
Remainder of Time - In water drills and instruction for open water swimming.

Clinics are $40 each or $105 to attend all 5.
Purchase all 5 Clinics Here: https://frenchcreekracing.pike13.com/pack_products/895060

Kids (17&U) Open Water Clinics $40 per class From $21 per visit with Open Water Clinic: 5 Session Pass pass Purchase required to enroll

These events are hosted by French Creek Racing, and are ideal for swimmers of all levels, from first time open water/ocean swimmers to experienced athletes looking to improve. Join us to practice drafting, sighting, buoy turns, race starts, mass swim starts, and much more! These clinics will help swimmers become more proficient and confident in open water.

Must be capable of swimming 400 meters without stopping.

General Open Water Clinic Schedule: Please bring everything that you will need to swim on your race day, including but not limited to: swim suit, swim cap, goggles, wetsuit, body glide, towel, basic nutrition/hydration, sunblock.
First 15 Minutes - On land open water overview, General Q&A, Ask me anything.
Remainder of Time - In water drills and instruction for open water swimming.

Clinics are $40 each or $105 to attend all 5.
Purchase all 5 Clinics Here: https://frenchcreekracing.pike13.com/pack_products/895060

Private Sessions

Private Swim Lesson Starting at $80 per appointment A credit card is required to enroll but isn't charged until the time of service.

If you’re truly looking to get to the next level, book a 1 on 1 session with one of our expert coaches. We’ll get right down to the items that YOU need to work on to improve. We’ll give you custom solutions based on where you are and what your goals are.

Underwater Video Analysis Starting at $85 per appointment A credit card is required to enroll but isn't charged until the time of service.

This analysis will provide a visual aid and feedback to help swimmers and triathletes improve upon their swim technique. Seeing stroke flaws on video is a great way to understand stroke mechanics and how to swim faster and more efficiently. Each participant will be filmed from multiple angles underwater and above the water. You can expect time in the water and time viewing the videos with your coach.

You will receive a copy of your video in addition to written feedback to take home.

Events

FCR Events

To Register for Events, please visit: www.frenchcreekracing.com/race