Faster Freestyle Swim Camp in Bacalar, Mexico

Sunday, Jan 26th to Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 still has ONE spot left. Hurry and sign up soon!

Eight days/Seven nights

Escape winter and dive into the WARM, crystal-clear waters of Bacalar, Mexico, a tropical haven with a rich history and breathtaking natural beauty. Join the 7-day Faster Freestyle Swim Camp, where expert coaching, stunning scenery and a supportive community will come together to help you become a more confident and efficient swimmer.

The Seven Colors of Bacalar: A Swimmer's Paradise. The Lagoon of Bacalar, famously known as the "Lagoon of the Seven Colors," is a stunning destination that will captivate your senses. Its crystal-clear waters transform into a mesmerizing spectrum of colors, from deep blues and purples to vibrant greens and turquoises. The calm and peaceful freshwater lake beckons swimmers of all levels to explore its depths, surrounded by lush greenery and tropical flowers. Immerse yourself in this serene atmosphere and let your swimming spirit thrive!

Expert Coaching with Breakthrough Results

Under the expert guidance of Hall of Fame Swimmer and renowned coach Karlyn Pipes, discover the secrets to faster and more efficient swimming. With over 236 FINA Masters World records to her name, Karlyn will share her expertise to help you:

Help you develop strategies to find and easier and faster way swim
Personalized video analysis to enhance your swimming
A private 1-on-1 lesson tailored to your specific needs

Go Home Faster and Stronger

After an unforgettable week of swimming, relaxation, and adventure, you'll return home feeling refreshed, revitalized, and equipped with the skills and confidence to take your swimming to new levels.

Safety First: Trained Lifeguards and Knowledgeable Coaching Staff

At Faster Freestyle Swim Camps, your safety is our top priority. Our team of trained lifeguards and expert coaching staff are dedicated to ensuring you a secure and enjoyable experience so you can focus on improving your swimming skills while enjoying the beauty of Bacalar.


Discover the Rich History and Culture of Bacalar

Bacalar is more than just a swimming paradise! With a history dating back to the 11th century, it was a major city in the Mayan civilization. Today, you can still explore ancient ruins, remnants of its fascinating past. But that's not all - Bacalar is also a culinary delight, offering a delicious Mexican cuisine that's a fusion of indigenous and European flavors. Come and immerse yourself in the rich history, culture, and flavors of this incredible destination

Join the fun!

Don't miss out on this amazing chance to transform your swimming skills in a stunning tropical setting, make lifelong friendships with like-minded swimmers, and experience the ultimate getaway in a beautiful Mexican paradise. Join the fun and take your swimming to the next level in Bacalar. Space is limited to 10, so make your reservation today!

Faster Freestyle Swim Camp includes:

  • Six beautiful guided open water swims approximately 2k to 4k in length exploring Bacalar’s fresh water lake and one day swimming in the Caribbean.

  • 7 nights accommodation, seven breakfasts, two dinners, two lunches and snacks after every swim

  • Video analysis of your stroke throughout the week

  • A one-on-one private lesson with Karlyn’s expert video analysis and feedback.

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

  • We 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, BOCO Visor, and a custom long sleeve dry-tech tee shirt

  • One day we will go explore the Lagoon by boat, swim around a few islands and then have a picnic lunch (provided).

  • A day trip to Mahahual, a picturesque coastal town on Mexico's Caribbean coast known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, laid-back small-town atmosphere, vibrant coral reefs perfect for open water swimming. Ladies on the beach offer inexpensive massages a there are numerous beachside restaurants available.

  • Our last swim is a super-fun, one-way, current assisted 5k. Most tourists kayak this beautiful canal between two the lakes (see the picture below), but we will swim it! We will start at Laguna Bonaza and swim the through the ‘’Los Rapidos’’ ending at Sac-Ha.

  • All swims are supported by lifeguard trained safety staff members in the water or on a SUP

  • Swim Ability: 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 fasterfreestyle@gmail.com to discuss your situation.

COST PER PERSON FOR KARLYN’S WORLD-CLASS COACHING, SEVEN NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION, SEVEN BREAKFASTS, SNACKS/BRUNCH, LUNCH ONE DAY ON AN EXCURSION, TWO DINNERS AND TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM ALL SWIMS AND OUR BOAT TOUR ARE INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE. AIRFARE AND AIRPORT TRANSFERS ARE NOT INCLUDED.

$2295 USD PER PERSON WITH SHARED ROOM. IF YOU PREFER TO HAVE YOUR OWN ROOM OR WILL BE BRINGING A NON-SWIMMING SPOUSE OR FRIEND TO SHARE A ROOM, PLEASE ADD $400 USD (BREAKFAST FOR “NON SWIMMER” IS NOT INCLUDED). AIRFARE AND AIRPORT TRANSFERS to Start of the camp in Bacalar ARE NOT INCLUDED.

DEPOSIT: TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, PLEASE INQUIRE AS TO PAYPAL OPTIONS. OR, MAIL A CHECK MADE IT OUT TO AQUATIC EDGE AND SEND TO: KARLYN PIPES, 77-6479 KILOHANA ST., KAILUA KONA, HAWAII, 96740. FINAL PAYMENT MAY ALSO BE MADE BY CHECK.

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 FULL CREDIT FOR A FUTURE CAMP. CANCEL LESS THAN 1 MONTH OUT AND IF WE ARE ABLE TO FILL YOUR SPOT, YOU WILL RECEIVE A REFUND MINUS THE DEPOSIT. AT ANY TIME, RESERVATIONS ARE TRANSFERABLE WITH NO FEE.

Accomodation:

For seven nights, we will be staying at Hotel Maria Maria B& B

Check in on Sunday, Jan. 26th The camp starts at 3 pm on Sunday with a safety meeting, easy swim in the lagoon and a welcome dinner at 6 pm. We check out of the hotel on Sunday, Feb. 2nd at 11 am. The last official swim is Saturday, but there is an optional fun swim on Sunday mooring before checkout.

“From the start, we were very impressed with Hotel Maria Maria. The room is spacious, clean and updated with a large veranda to enjoy the sunrise and a morning coffee. Fantastic location, within two minutes of the lagoon and a short walk to town, but far enough away from the noisy bars! Very quiet and peaceful. Nice breakfast served by friendly, helpful staff. Not only would I highly recommend this hotel, I will most certainly return and stay longer!”

Hotel Maria Marie is a family-run hotel that offers:

  • Comfortable and clean rooms with traditional decor

  • Inviting views of the Lagoon of the Seven Colors

  • A peaceful courtyard with lush tropical gardens

  • Delicious homemade breakfast with regional specialties

  • Warm and personalized service

Hotel Maria Maria is ideally situated in the heart of Bacalar and close to restaurants, bars, and cafes serving local cuisine. The stunning Lagoon Bacalar is just a two minute stroll away. It’s also easy explore the historic Fort San Felipe, visit the Town Square to discover local shops and markets, and enjoy water activities like swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Hotel Maria Maria offers a convenient base to experience the best of Bacalar's natural beauty, culture, and entertainment.

HOW TO GET TO BACALAR

The Tulum Airport (TQO) began offering international flights in 2024 and it’s a game changer for the traveler visiting the Zucatan Peninsula that would like to avoid flying into busy Cancun. Sure, you can still fly to Cancun and there are many cheap flights, but a 5+ hour bus ride is in your future. TQO cuts that in half. One day there will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the scenic Tren Maya (Mayan Train) but until then, TQO is your best bet or Chetumal via Mexico City.

When to arrive: Please try arrive one day early on Saturday, Jan. 25th to avoid missing the safety meeting, first swim and welcome dinner on Sunday, Jan. 26th.

Where to depart: We check out of the hotel on Sunday, Feb. 2nd at 11 am. The last official swim is Saturday, but there is an optional fun swim on Sunday morning before checkout.

Reach Bacalar by flying and taking a bus:

Option 1: Fly to Tulum (TQO) and take a bus

  • Fly to Tulum International Airport (TQO)

  • Take a 25-min. taxi or shuttle to the main ADO bus terminal

  • Take a ADO bus or shuttle to Bacalar (approx. 2.5 hours)

Option 2: Fly to Chetumal (CTM) from Mexico City and take a 30 minute taxi to Hotel Maria Maria

  • Fly from Mexico City to Chetumal International Airport (CTM)

  • Take a taxi, bus, or shuttle to Bacalar (approximately 30 minutes)

Airlines flying from the U.S. to Tulum Airport (TQO)

  • American Airlines: Twice daily from Dallas/Fort Worth and daily from Charlotte and Miami

  • Delta Air Lines: Daily service between Atlanta and Tulum

  • JetBlue: Daily service from New York’s JFK

  • Spirit Airlines: Seven days a week from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando

  • United Airlines: Daily service to Tulum will be offered from Newark, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, and Houston

Choose your preferred route and enjoy a smooth journey to Bacalar!