Dennis Baker, a two-time Olympic finalist, taught a four-hour clinic Saturday

Dennis Baker demonstrates swimming strokes on land so smoothly you almost forget he’s not in the pool.

Baker is a two-time Olympic finalist in the 200 butterfly and holds

seven world records for the Masters level, which includes all swimmers

18 and older.

And on Saturday he arrived in Baker City to give a four-hour clinic to members of B.A.S.S. – Baker Area Seasoned Swimmers.

“I’ve dived into helping swimmers of all levels, especially middle and beginning,” he told the group, grinning as he added “no pun intended.”

His goal, he said, is to counteract not-so-good swimming instruction by giving his tips. He’s taught Masters for about eight years since moving to the Portland area from Arizona.

He swims an average of 50,000 meters each week.

“I’m at the pool all the time, which allows me to swim like I do,” he said. “That’s hard to do unless you have a job at the pool.”

And he does – private lessons, team lessons and he’s a coach with the Oregon Reign Masters.

And he is all coach.

He presented the lecture clinic by running through an outline he’s developed – starts and turns, long axis strokes (freestyle and backstroke) and short axis strokes (butterfly and breaststroke).

His biggest issue is something he calls “the waggle,” which happens when swimmers drop their shoulders and twist back and forth.

His next topic is paramount to swimming: “A lot of people don’t know how to breathe while swimming,” he said.

First, he said, don’t exhale your breath all at once.

“You want to hold your air in your lungs – why? You float.”

The second reason is to avoid oxygen deprivation – important whether you’re swimming laps or competing in a meet.

As he talks, his students for this day scribble down his techniques and tips. Every once in a while they chuckle when he demonstrates a move different from what most have practiced for years.

And though he uses Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps in example after example, he is quick to say he doesn’t expect everyone to swim at that level.

“It doesn’t have to be Michael Phelpsian,” he said with a smile.

As he finished the clinic, he encouraged everyone to “be within yourself.”

“I see so many Masters swimmers dive like they did in high school. And they splat,” he said.

Swim to your level, he said, but don’t be afraid to try something new, or a different workout once or twice a week.

“Don’t get stuck in a rut. You won’t improve at anything,” he said.