FRONT CRAWL
BOOT CAMP
two days spent improving your technique in the water
GET CLOSER TO THE ZEN
This concept of a weekend immersed in front crawl was born in 2022 and involved last year to include both beginners and advanced weekends, this year I am adding an improvers weekend into the mix. Following on from the style of my previous weekends this is more swimming booties than any kind of military-style boot camp. Strength and flexibility training is becoming ever more important in our health and wellness and it certainly improves our ability to swim smoother, so this is going to feature more in 2024's camps. Front crawl can be difficult, particularly if you are a beginner, however, these weekends are aimed at breaking down the technicalities of the stroke into manageable chunks and if you bring along plenty of enthusiasm you will see some real progress.
I often talk in my swimming sessions about the 'zen' I get from front crawl. For me, it's the moment when my breathing and body are aligned. When my rotation feels perfect, when I have that incredible abyss of nothingness below me, my rhythm flows and my focus is well, in the here and now. I know that this has taken years to reach and I continually train hard to maintain it. If I don't stretch myself out, practice my stroke and constantly look to improve, it's harder to find the zen and that doesn't feel so good.
I qualified as an open water coach and a personal trainer because I wanted to help others feel the zen. I realise that we are all different and just because front crawl across a deep dark mountain lake is my place to feel good, your place may be a slightly different mix, but whatever our combination we all want to feel amazing, right?
I am super keen to help you improve your open-water swimming stroke, to help you feel incredible in the water. This isn't about winning in your next triathlon or swimming event, this is about improving your swimming stroke to make you feel wonderful!
We will meet at a lake in Eryri/Snowdonia National Park on the first morning and will be based at the same lake for the first day, we may visit a nearby lake for the second day depending on logistics and weather conditions.
WHAT WILL THE TWO DAYS BE LIKE?
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
It is entirely up to you what you want to bring along, I always suggest on coaching sessions that you wear what you normally swim outdoors in, bringing along a brand new wetsuit when you normally swim in a bikini can throw in a whole host of other issues as can choosing to swim skins when you've always worn a full wetsuit. If you are at all worried about kit, please just drop me a line.
This is a suggested kit list
Warm hat
Warm jacket
Waterproof trousers and jacket
Trainers
Swimsuits/wetsuit
Towfloat
Pull Buoy/Float (if you have them)
Swimming Booties/Gloves (if required)
Swimcaps
Goggles
Towels/Robie/Dry Robe
Personal first aid kit/medication
Lunch
Hot drinks
Bag for wet kit
Rucksack / Bag to put everything in
ABOUT ME
I am an artist, outdoor swimmer and health and fitness coach. I live in the mountains of Eryri / Snowdonia in North Wales where I have lived since 2002, I grew up on the beautiful South Coast in the New Forest and regularly return to visit family. My project #swimsnowdonia was listed amongst 'The 10 most inspiring adventures' in The Guardian and has been the focus of several short films including a music video for the band Elbow. 'Afterglow' a short film about my passion for both my creativity and cold water swimming won Best Woman in Adventure Gold Award at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival., Best Short Film at The Four Season Film Festival and was recently selected for The Patagonia Film Festival in Santa Monica. I was included in the first San Miguel Rich List, 'a unique list of men and women who value experiences over any possession' and listed as one of Britain's 101 Adventurers. I was featured in an ITV documentary 'The Mountain ' which followed the lives of a selection of people who live and work on the busiest mountain in England and Wales, Snowdon and various features on the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports and Channel 5.
I am a Qualified Teacher, Personal Trainer and Nutritional Advisor, Mountain Leader, Open Water Swimming Coach, RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, RYA Day Skipper and hold RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory. I hold Emergency First Aid in the Outdoors, STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher Award and Certificate, and STA Level 2 Baby & Pre-School Aquatic Teacher. I am an RLSS Trainer and have more than 10 previous years of experience lifesaving in swimming pools.
Photo © Jody Daunton
WHERE TO STAY?
There is a full range of accommodation options in Snowdonia to suit every budget and taste.
The ones suggested below operate independently from me
HOSTELS
PLAS CURIG
01690 720225
YHA SNOWDON PEN Y PASS
0345 371 9534
HOTELS/GUEST HOUSES
GWESTY PLAS GOCH
01286 872122
PEN Y GWRYD HOTEL
01286 870211
CAMPSITES
DOLGAM
01690 720228
GWERN GOF UCHAF
01690 720294