Description
Join us for an Open Water Experience March 14-20 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii
We’ve chosen Kona 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 Kona 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—we’ll be offering a Friday Fun Race for workshop participants with an awards dinner to follow.
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. Our staff will be staying at the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, and we've arranged for a group rate of $130 / night, with breakfast included. To take advantage of this offer call 1-800-367-2111 and reference Group Code: KC92482.
We recommend using Speedi Shuttle (808)329-5433 or Mel's Taxi (808)329-6388 for transportation from the airport to the hotel.
For additional visitor information visit - http://www.konafriends.com/
Tentative Schedule:
Sunday, March 14
Arrive at Kona 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, March 15 through Friday March 19
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, March 20
Morning Swim, Breakfast
Who will be your coaches?
Both camps will be led by Terry Laughlin, the top-ranked 55-59 open water swimmer
in both 2006 and 2007, a double US Masters national record-breaker in open water
and a veteran of two 28.5-mile Manhattan Island Marathon swims. Terry will be
assisted by TI coaches who have experience both in working with inexperienced
swimmers and in open water swimming.
Tuition:
$995 - Early Bird Registration – Prior to January 14, 2010
$1095 – After January 14, 2010
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
-aquasocks or other waterproof slipper
-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
