Boys Swimming

The IMG Academy boys swimming program brings the school's proven training methodology to the pool, on our Bradenton, Florida campus. Anchored by our state-of-the-art Aquatic Center, the program combines world-class coaching, year-round training, and an environment designed to maximize student-athlete potential. Swimmers train and compete as Ascender Elite Aquatics, a USA Swimming-affiliated club, across grades 6-12, under Director of Swimming John Hargis, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist and former head coach at Pittsburgh and Penn State.

Boys will benefit from IMG Academy's holistic approach - integrating technical mastery, strength and conditioning, and mental performance training. From first stroke to final touch, every session is crafted to prepare student-athletes for success at all levels of competition.

Boys Swimming Program

overview

athletic development

facilities

methodology

coaching staff

Overview

Swim Program Structure

Join IMG Academy's Swimming Program and unlock your full potential from day one. Operating as Ascender Elite Aquatics (IMGA), a USA Swimming-affiliated club, the program is built to guide every student-athlete toward their full potential through a comprehensive and individualized approach. Swimmers are placed into training groups based on skill and experience level, allowing for focused coaching and progression at every stage.

College Preparatory Environment

Ascender Elite Aquatics is designed to mirror the structure, intensity, and pace of collegiate swimming, giving athletes a head start on the expectations they'll face at the next level. Our program prepares swimmers to adapt to the physical, academic, and mental demands of a college athletic environment - from structured training and competition schedules, to balancing athletic performance with academic responsibilities, to building mental resilience and adaptability under pressure. Beyond physical preparation, we place strong emphasis on the values that define successful collegiate athletes: discipline, accountability, and respect.

Tracking Growth & Success

Student-athletes measure their development through the Individual Development Program (IDP), which provides ongoing assessment and tracking so coaches and swimmers can monitor growth over time and adjust the plan to meet each swimmer's goals. Swimmers are formally assessed against:

Event-specific times and season-best progression
Stroke mechanics, starts, and turns, reviewed on video
Strength and conditioning benchmarks
Meet performance evaluations
Academic progress

Swimming Development

Success in the pool takes more than technique alone. Our Athletic Development team is a vital part of each swimmer's journey, working hand in hand with the program's broader support network to build confidence, resilience, and readiness. Swimmers work with Athletic Development Staff on strength, mobility, and dryland conditioning built around the demands of their primary strokes and events.

IMG Academy's swimming program is built on the belief that athletes perform best when they feel supported. Every training group operates in an environment rooted in trust, encouragement, and respect, giving swimmers the confidence and leadership to push their limits and grow. Our coaches focus on developing the whole athlete - physically, mentally, and personally - preparing every student-athlete not only for success in the pool, but for the challenges and opportunities life will bring.

Swimming Strength & Conditioning

Outwork and outlast the competition with IMG Academy's Strength & Conditioning program. Our team of performance experts design a program that supplements sports training to help student-athletes reach their potential.

Speed, agility, and movement
Endurance & conditioning
Strength and power
Flexibility, mobility, balance, and core

Sports Medicine

IMG Academy's Sports Medicine program educates and helps student-athletes keep their bodies healthy during demanding training and competition schedules. Our team promotes athlete availability through preventative and corrective exercises, holistic injury evaluation & treatment and movement quality assessments.

Athletic training
Physical therapy
Injured athlete program
Recovery
Education on injury management
Return-to play management

Swimming Nutrition

At IMG Academy, we understand how important it is for student-athletes to fuel their bodies to meet their high-level lifestyles and sport demands. Our Nutrition program maximizes student-athlete performance by equipping them with the nutrition knowledge and resources to fuel and hydrate themselves for academic, athletics and long-term health.

Optimal everyday nutrition
Performance Plate
Nutrient intake and timing
Hydration strategies
Supplement education
Pre and post-competition fueling
Travel nutrition
Energy balance

Visual Training

Vision Training is not just about seeing – it's about doing. Student-athletes will train their eyes to perform more quickly and efficiently through eye muscle and visual system development.

Hand-eye coordination
Peripheral vision
Reaction time
Depth perception
Vision strength

Learn more about Personal Development

Aquatic Center & Facilities

IMG Academy's swimming program trains and competes in the following facilities on campus:

A state-of-the-art Aquatic Center featuring an Olympic size 10 lane pool, spanning 50 by 25 meters.
Dedicated spaces for film study, recovery, and team development.

Other Facilities

Explore our housing and campus amenities here

Dorms
Campus Center
Academic Center

Take a virtual tour >

Training & Competition Philosophy

Training philosophy

Our training philosophy is built on consistency, understanding, and purpose. Swimmers train in groups organized by skill level and age, ensuring every athlete progresses in an environment suited to their stage of development. A year-round training model drives continuous improvement, helping athletes build on their skills and develop the confidence that comes from sustained, purposeful work. Our coaches also explain the "why" behind every set, transforming training into an intentional process that builds a deeper sense of self-awareness carrying through every stage of the athlete's journey - while a strong emphasis on technique, supported by performance technology, refines stroke mechanics, starts, and turns through individualized feedback.

Competition philosophy

At Ascender Elite Aquatics, we view competition as one of the most powerful tools for training and overall growth. Competition, and the travel that comes with it, exposes swimmers to new environments and pressures they won't encounter in daily practice - experiences that build adaptability, sharpen focus, and teach athletes how to perform when it matters most.

Director of Swimming, John Hargis

John Hargis is an accomplished coach, educator, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist who brings elite competitive experience and decades of collegiate coaching leadership to his work with student-athletes. A member of the U.S. 4x100-meter medley relay team that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, he went on to build a distinguished college coaching career at some of the top swimming programs in the country. His career reflects a commitment to developing athletes who excel not only in competition but also in the classroom and in life, combining Olympic-caliber training with proven program-building leadership.

Experience

University of Pittsburgh – Head Swimming Coach (2016–2022)
Auburn University – Associate Head Swimming Coach (2013–2016)
Pennsylvania State University – Head Swimming Coach (2008–2013)

Coach	Title
John Hargis	Director of Swimming
Jason Bowes	Head Coach

Tuition

Full-year tuition for the 2027–28 boys swimming program ranges from $77,100 to $99,900, depending on the student-athlete's age and program enrollment.

IMG Academy boarding school is built for dedicated and passionate student-athletes. We provide the tools and resources for our student-athletes to achieve their goals in the classroom, in their sport, in college and beyond. IMG Academy tuition rates are based on the comprehensive nature of our programming and resources available to student-athletes.

2027-2028 Swimming Tuition

Academics

Offering grades 6-12 as well as post-graduate options, IMG Academy provides swimming student-athletes with a robust academic curriculum, unmatched academic support, and resources that prepare them for the rigors of university life and beyond.

View Curriculum

Personal development

IMG Academy swimming student-athletes develop as more than just athletes. Our Personal Development sessions focus on so-called "intangible" skills like leadership, communication, and confidence.

Learn the Process

College placement

It's critical for swimming student-athletes to feel confident and equipped to find the best college fit. IMG Academy's proven, industry-leading college placement services and technology have placed more student-athletes on college rosters than any other program in the world.

Learn more

Campus experience

Student-athletes have an opportunity to explore their passions and interests outside of swimming. With on-campus clubs, organizations, and social opportunities, IMG Academy is the ideal setting to become a well-rounded young adult.

Explore Campus

Apply online

IMG Academy Boarding School Application

IMG Academy is the world leader in sports education and the boarding school admits a limited amount of students annually from a large pool of qualified applicants, so we encourage interested student-athletes to submit an application as early as possible. Submit your online application to get started today.

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Frequently
Asked Questions

Does IMG Academy have a swimming program?

Yes. IMG Academy is launching a new elite swimming program in 2027. It's designed to help student-athletes succeed in college and international competition.

What is the start date for the IMG swimming program?

The swimming program will begin with camps in Summer 2027, followed by the launch of the full-time boarding school in Fall 2027.

Who will the swimming program be open to?

The swimming program will be open to both boys and girls, providing equal access to elite-level coaching, training, and competition.

How can I apply to the IMG Academy swimming program?

Applications for the IMG Academy swimming program will open ahead of its 2027 launch. In the meantime, you can join the interest list to stay informed with early updates, program details, and application alerts as they become available.

How much does IMG Academy swimming cost?

Full-year boys swimming tuition ranges from $73,400 to $97,900 for 2027-2028, depending on age and program enrollment.

Where is the IMG Academy swimming program located?

At the IMG Academy Aquatic Center on the school's campus in Bradenton, Florida.

What grades can enroll in IMG Academy swimming?

Grades 6 through 12, plus post-graduate options.

Is IMG Academy swimming a USA Swimming club?

Yes, the program competes as Ascender Elite Aquatics.