I’ll be coaching the distance group at this year’s Open Water camp in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I’m very excited about this opportunity and about the location of the camp. The Maho Bay Cottages is one of the first and best-known eco-tourist locations in the world, and there are next-door options for those who like things to be a bit more like home. Imagine multiple swims daily in some of the clearest and safest open water you’ve ever been in, stroke analysis, and just bringing your friends or family along for a great vacation destination.
Distance Dave clients who call in and mention that I referred them to the camp get the early bird price, even though we’ve passed that deadline.
We’ve chosen Maho Bay for our Open Water Experience because of the warm, calm, sheltered bays, which seldom experience wave action. The water is shallow and the bottom mostly sandy. The purpose of this camp is to introduce pool swimmers to open water, whether to prepare for your first triathlon or to gain the comfort and confidence to enjoy vacations at the shore more fully. And we guarantee you’ll leave Maho Bay with a much better stroke than you arrive with.
If you already have open water experience and would like to develop it further or
enjoy swimming with a group of fellow enthusiasts, we will offer longer swims, which
traverse two or more bays, rounding a point where you may experience water that
can be slightly more choppy.
The Open Water Experience will offer three kinds of swim instruction or experience:
Perpetual Motion Freestyle
We’ll teach technique sessions focused on four key stroke habits for tireless
swimming that teach you an ease and flow that allow you to swim long distances
without walls or turns – i.e. hundreds of uninterrupted strokes. We’ll also teach the
unique opportunities to use longer stretches of uninterrupted stroking to deepen
your habits and develop an unbreakable “cocoon” of calm concentration that is just
as critical to swimming well in open water.
Swim With Friends
We’ll also introduce you to imaginative ways of swimming with others. Swimming
with Friend is not only a key to safe swimming but hugely enjoyable as well. We’ll
practice in single-file, side-by-side, inches-apart, and in looser groupings. Also
synchronizing your stroke with one or more partners.
Have a Racing Experience
For those who already enter open water races or triathlons–and those interested in a stress-free way to test those waters–you’ll also have a chance to swim in a low-key fun race, at the conclusion of camp.
Additional Details
We’ll videotape several times and review that video individually and with the group. We’ll also discuss training for endurance and how to learn or improve racing skills. Swimming schedules will be adjusted day to day to allow time for scuba, snorkeling, paddling, dinner sails, etc. Our fun race will be Friday afternoon with an awards dinner to follow.
Lodging / Travel
Each participant is responsible for making travel and lodging arrangements. The 2 links below will allow you to view information about how to get to the island, and how to reserve your spot at the resort. We are recommending that all participants stay at the Maho Bay Camps.
Travel: http://maho.org/GettingHere.cfm
Accommodations: http://maho.org/maho.cfm
Click here to read a recent article about Maho Bay in Frommer’s.
Tuition (please note, meals are not included)
$1095 – Prior to September 9th, 2010
$1195 – September 10th – November 9th, 2010
$1295 – After November 10th, 2010
Cancellations and Transfers
Workshop tuition includes a $500 non-refundable deposit. No refund will be issued for cancellations made less than 4 weeks prior to the start of the scheduled workshop. Tuition can be transferred to another Open Water Camp for a $100 transfer fee. Transfer requests must be made no later than 4 weeks prior to the event.
Tentative Schedule:
Sunday, January 9
Arrive at Maho Bay mid-day through late afternoon
12 pm Lunch
3-4:30 pm Evaluation/Intro Swim
6 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Orientation and get-acquainted social
Monday, January 10 through Friday January 14
8 am Breakfast
9 am Review daily plan and view video of OW technique
10 am Morning Swim with instruction
12 pm Lunch and free time
2-4 pm Afternoon Swim with instruction
6 Dinner
Swimming schedules will be adjusted day to day to allow time for scuba, snorkeling,
paddling, dinner sails, etc. Our fun race will be Friday afternoon with an awards
dinner to follow.
Saturday, January 15
Morning Swim, Breakfast
Cancellations:
Workshop tuition includes a $500 non-refundable deposit. No refund will be issued for cancellations made less than 2 weeks prior to the start of the scheduled workshop.
Suggested Packing List:
In addition to a normal assortment of personal clothing items, the following items should be brought along:
-2 water bottles
-plenty of sunscreen SPF 30+
-SPF lip protection
-bug spray
-shoes/sandals that can get wet
-sunglasses
-towel(s)
-synthetic fleece to wear post-swim
-running shoes and other workout gear as desired
- AT LEAST 2 pair of goggles or swim masks (tinted and mirrored lenses preferred)- there is no place on the island to buy new goggles or masks. Please bring as many as you could possibly need.
- 2 brightly colored swim caps (no dark or hard-to-see colors please)
-any medications you may need, prescription or over the counter
-Dramamine if you are prone to sea-sickness
-BodyGlide, Desitin or other anti-chafe cream
QUESTIONS: Call our office at 800-609-7946