Faster Freestyle Swim Camp in Kelowna, BC, Canada

Six-day event - Sat, Aug. 10 to Thurs. Aug. 15th, 2024

Only one camp offered and space is limited to 10!

Come to Kelowna so you can become a better swimmer while exploring some of the most beautiful open water in all of Canada! There is also an opportunity to participate in the Across the Lake 1.5k and 4.5k Kalamalka open water swim after the camp held on Saturday, Aug. 17th.

Faster Freestyle Swim Camps are hosted by Hall of Fame swimmer Karlyn Pipes who will be both your coach and guide. During the six-day event, you will swim at a variety of amazing open water venues while gaining speed, confidence and endurance. In less than a week, you will become a better swimmer.

All Kelowna, BC Faster Freestyle Swim Camps includes:

• 5 beautiful open water swims approximately 2k to 4k in and around the Okanagan Lake region

• Video analysis of your stroke during the Faster Freestyle Workshop on day one and throughout the camp.

• One-on-one private lesson with Karlyn’s expert video analysis and feedback. Time and location TBD

• Open Water Skills & Drills workshop along with technique tips for the “other” strokes…fly, back and breast!

• Staff will be filming you daily to provide videos of your improvement as well as to document our aquatic adventures! Videos will be texted to you.

• Silicone swim cap

• Custom BOCO visor and long sleeve dry-tech tee shirt

• An autographed copy of Karlyn’s memoir The Do-Over, My Journey from the Depths of Addiction to World Champion Swimmer

• A hike around Beaver Creek and a late afternoon yoga session followed by a trip to the ice cream parlor.

• Cost includes two home-cooked dinners at Karlyn and Christopher’s home and hearty brunches available at every swim.

• We keep the camp size small (10 or less) and provide at LEAST two Red Cross rescue-trained staff members (who are also swim technique coaches) at every swim.

• The camp is held directly before Across the Lake Swim (ATLS) KALAMALKA 1.5k or 4.5k swim hosted by Interior Savings. Mark your calendar to come to the Faster Freestyle Camp AND to participate in one (or two) world-renowned open water races. You can find the 2024 ATLS schedule here.

Cost for the 6-day camp is $1295 USD or $1695 CAD and includes transportation to/from swims, TWO dinners, four brunches, snacks and drinks, but does not include accommodation or airfare. all returning clients receive an automatic $100 discount.

Deposit: to reserve your spot, a $500 USD deposit by INTERACT e-TRANSFER to fasterfreestyleswimcamps@gmail.com please note that camp is plural.

Payment: Full Payment is due tHree months Prior to Camp start and Payment options will be sent to you via email once your deposit is received.

cancelation policy: cancel Two month prior to the camp start Date and you will receive a refund, minus the $500 deposit or you can opt to recive A credit for a future camp. Cancel less than two weeks OUt and you will have a credit to apply for a future camp (minus $100 admin fee). any time, reservations are transferable with no fee.

Swim Ability: All speeds are welcome, but ideally you should be comfortable in the open water and able to swim continuously 1,500 yards/meters at a steady pace. Since we will start and return to the same location, you can decide how far (and how fast) you want to swim. If you are questioning whether you think you are “fast enough” to participate in a camp, please reach out to me to discuss your situation. After all, the name and goal of every camp is to help you learn an easier and faster way to swim. If a small-group camp is outside your comfort zone, perhaps a private mini-camp in Kelowna will suit you better.

Six-Day Swim Camp in 2024!

This six-day camp will be held from Saturday, August 10th and concludes Thursday evening, August 16th.

START DATES/TIMES: The camp will begin on Saturday at 4 pm at Bluebird Beach Park with a mandatory group safety meeting, a mini Faster Freestyle swim clinic followed by gorgeous, evening “shakeout” 1.5k swim. Then we will head over to the nearby SHASTA Mobile Parkin on Lakeshore drive for a casual and fun WELCOME dinner at Christopher and Karlyn’s home (BYOB) from 6:30-8.

FINISH DATES/TIMES The camp will conclude on Thursday evening with a farewell dinner from 6:00-8:00 pm. If you plan to swim the KAL lake open water event, Friday is a day OFF for you to rest and get ready to swim well on Saturday! About half the campers usually participate. Karlyn will TOO!

It’s going to be an amazing week. Please join me!

Faster Freestyle Swim Camp 6-day tentative schedule:

Saturday, August 3rd day one: 4 pm - 6 pm Bluebird Beach Park. Safety briefing, overview of the Faster Freestyle technique followed by a nice and easy 1.5 “shakeout” swim. Dinner at Karlyn and Christopher’s house immediately afterwards where we will provide you with a goodie bag, tee shirt, visor and an autographed copy of Karlyn’s book.

Sunday Aug. 4th day two: 9 am - 1 pm Faster Freestyle workshop with video analysis followed by an Open Water Skills and drills and the “other strokes” workshop at Bluebird Beach Park just south of Rotary Beach.

Monday, Aug. 5th day three: 8 am - 2 pm Bertram Park 3 to 4k swim followed by brunch.

Monday, part two: 4 pm - 6:30 pm We will meet for a gentle YOGA session (location TBD) followed by a casual walk into “K-TOWN” to the local ice cream parlor located right across from the “sails.” The servings are huge and the ice cream is amazing. Our TREAT!

Tuesday, Aug. 6th day four: Private lesson with video analysis. Location and time TBD

Wednesday, Aug. 7th day five: 8 am - 1 pm Traders Cove (on the West Side) 3 to 4k swim and snacks followed by a 3k HILLY hike up, around and down Bear Creek. If you are participating in the Kalamalka Lake 4.5k swim on Saturday, this is a GREAT opportunity to build your confidence and“go the distance.”

Thursday, Aug. 8th day six: 8 am - 2 pm. Drive to Penticton and SWIM and FLOAT, the 7k (4 mile) Penticton Channel to Skaha Lake. This ONE-WAY swim has a 1-2 mile current that will push you along making a swim this long fast and FUN! Another option might be to carpool up to Kalamalka lake and “test drive” the 4.5k swim that will be offered on Saturday. Regardless of where we end up, we will have a beach party afterwards and lunch/brunch to follow.

Thursday 6:00-8:00 pm join us for our farewell dinner party at Christopher and Karlyn’s house in Kelowna.

Saturday, Aug. 17th OPTIONAL open water event Kalamalka 1.5k or 4.5k swim. More info here!

Accommodation Suggestions:

University of British Columbia, Okanagan offers a variety of affordable accommodation in their student dorms that can be as small as a studio apartment with a kitchen, up to a multi-room apartment perfect for sharing with a group of friends or family. Located directly across from the airport, this is a great alternative to consider. Please check out their website here.

Siesta Inn and Suites is a family run hotel located very close to where we live in the lower Mission area of Kelowna. It’s near shops, grocery stores, restaurants and Gyro beach. They also offer rooms with kitchenettes. Many of our campers have stayed here and really enjoyed the property and how close they were to Karlyn and Christophers home. More info at Siesta Inn and Suites

Airbb is also a great option. For planning purposes, we are located in the South Pandosy or “Lower Mission” area. Our address 87-3745 Lakeshore Rd., Kelowna, BC V1W 3K4