In 2026 we will be offering TWO week-long FIJI camps!
All Faster Freestyle Swim Camps offer a combination of beautiful, guided open water swims along with plenty of swim technique instruction….including a private session with video analysis.
Your host and coach will be Hall of Fame Swimmer Karlyn Pipes. To date, Karlyn has set over 236 FINA Masters World records with more to come.
After one week, your stress will melt away while you gain confidence in the open water. You will discover strategies to help you find an easier and faster way to swim. You will leave Fiji a much better swimmer with improved technique and noticeable gains in both your speed and endurance.
Dates for the eight day/seven night Faster Freestyle Swim Camps on beautiful Nacula Island and in Nadi, Fiji are:
Tuesday, April 21st to Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
Thursday, April 30th to Thursday, May 7th, 2026
Space is limited to 10
“In Fiji, you arrive as a visitor but you leave as family”
What makes Fiji so MAGICAL?
The water is amazing. Fiji, and it’s 333 islands, is an open water swimmers paradise offering beautiful crystal-clear water teeming with marine life and vibrant coral reefs. The water temperature is 80° year round, perfect for you to dive in, swim and explore any time of day.
Fijians are friendly. From the moment you land, it’s hard NOT to notice how nice people are, especially when you are greeted with a heartfelt BULA (good health) and VINAKA (thank you) accompanied by a genuine smile. It doesn’t take long to feel at home in Fiji and you’ll be treated more like a friend than a tourist everywhere you go.
Fijians are happy. It’s been said that Fijians are some of the happiest people in the world and the reason is because they love to sing, dance, entertain and laugh. Music is a huge part of the Fijian culture, so much so that at the airport you will be greeted by a trio of men serenading you with traditional songs…at 6 am!
Fijians don’t worry about tomorrow. “Let tomorrow worry about itself” the saying goes. For the Fijian culture, tomorrow simply doesn’t exist. It’s all about the present and the experience that you are having right now.
Wouldn’t you like that feeling, even if it was just for a week?
Week-long Fiji Faster Freestyle Swim Camps include:
Five to seven beautiful open water swims approximately 2k to 4k in length exploring beaches, bays and islands!
Seven nights accommodation
17 meals including seven breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners.
Video analysis of your freestyle on day one.
Faster Freestyle and Multi Stroke Swim clinic to help you improve the “other” strokes…fly, back and breast. If you do not know these strokes, we will teach you!
A one-on-one private lesson with video analysis and feedback during the middle of the camp. Time and location TBD
Open water skills and drills along with instruction
Staff will be using Go Pro’s and underwater cameras to capture our fabulous, Fiji aquatic adventures! Videos will be texted to you.
Transportation to and from all swims and/or excursions
Half-day trip to the famous Sabeto Mud baths
One-way ferry to Nacula Island aboard the Yasawa Flyer
Day-trip to Natadola Beach to explore one of the best beaches on the island and to experience Fijian culture and a variety of open water conditions.
On Nacula Island will a swim around “honeymoon” island
Our final swim will start off with boat excursion to another island where we will then swim around a beautiful coral reef and then explore a sea cave
All swims are fully supported by safety staff members both in the water and on a SUP
Silicone swim cap, custom BOCO Visor and a custom long sleeve dry-tech tee shirt
Swim Ability: Ideally you should be comfortable in the open water and able to swim continuously 1,000 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.
Accommodation:
During the week-long camp we will be staying at two amazing resorts. The first three days/nights we will be on the main island of Viti Levu. Please clinic on the link to view the amazing video of our accommodation in Nadi. The Nalagi Hotel offers a 28m roof-top pool and bar area with stunning 360 views of the area, the rooms are clean and modern, breakfast was served a 7 AM sharp and was delicious. We loved the staff and the location can’t be beat with a 5 min. walk to a grocery store and restaurants, and only 15 min. from the airport, 10-min to Nadi town and 15 min. to Port Denarau by taxi.
After three nights at the Nalagi Hotel, we take the Yasawa Flyer (from nearby Port Denarau) and ferry out to the amazing Oarsman Bay Lodge located on Nacula island for the remaining four nights.
We visited many other resorts and selected the Oarsman’s Bay Lodge with a cool and deliciously laid-back vibe. It’s an adults-only tropical paradise with brilliant-blue Bure’s (cottages) shaded by palms and enough amenities and marine life to explore right out your door – you’ll never get bored. The resort does not offer TVs or telephones, but there is complimentary internet at the in the main restaurant.
Please keep in mind that like everywhere else on earth, there has been an huge amount of cost of living inflation in Fiji…especially out on the islands where all food and supplies are shipped in. In addition, when we are at the Oarsman’s there is a mandatory meal plan. The good news, is that even though the Oarsman’s is a bit pricey…we thought that it was good value and SO worth it.
WE have FOUR accommodation options…
from budget-friendly dorms to private deluxe beachfront bures.
Prices are listed from low to high and we hope we have
a price point for every budget.
Share a room at Nalagi Hotel and a dorm at the Oarsman’s Bay Lodge option:
While in Nadi at the Nalagi Hotel for three nights, you will share a well-appointed twin room with a roommate (you provide or we can assign).
Then we shift to The Oarsman’s Bay Lodge where you will enjoy four nights in the air-conditioned, comfortable and clean 8-bed dorm room. This shared accommodations offer privacy partitions between beds (see above) and is located above the restaurant, with an added benefit of being the only room type with wifi. Christopher and I stayed in the dorm (along with four other campers in 2024) and truly enjoyed the experience! What I loved most was waking up early (6 am), quietly getting dressed, then going for a walk on the beach and then coming back to the main lodge for a hot cup of coffee (or tea). As a dorm guest, you get first pic of the best lounge chairs to enjoy this gorgeous view of the bay (as seen pictured above).
This budget-friendly option is perfect for a solo traveler or friends traveling together. Cost: $2695 USD pp
Beachfront Studio Bure: Private or Shared
There are only four Beachfront Studio Bure’s at the Oarsman’s Bay Lodge and all are located just a few steps away from the powdery white sand beach. The water literally is your “front yard” and two private lounge chairs are yours to enjoy. Yup, that’s me below in a lounge chair!
One Studio Room has a King size bed and is perfect for a couple or someone who wants privacy. The adjoining Studio Room offers a Queen size bed and a single bed, which would suit two friends that would like to share accommodation.
The four Beachfront Studios are air-conditioned with a private bathroom, ceiling fans and fully screened louvered windows to allow for the beautiful sea breeze to sneak in. Outside, each Bure offers a private deck with chairs, a hammock and two lounge chairs where we know you will enjoy the beautiful tropical sunsets and stunning ocean views.
While in Nadi at the Nalagi Hotel, for three nights you will be in a well appointed King bed or twin room, depending on if you are traveling solo, with another camper or a non-swimming spouse/friend.
Cost:
$3395 if you are sharing a room with another camper
$3995 if you prefer a private room or are sharing with a non-swimming friend/spouse/partner (meals not included for non-swimming guest)
Beach View Bure private or shared:
At 32 sqm, this freestanding bure is larger than the studio units. This cozy cottage is tucked away in a tropical garden setting offering a lovely view of the inviting turquoise water just a few meters away. With a king sized bed and a single bed, this bure is ideal for couple or two friends sharing. Fully air-conditioned, ceiling fans and screened louvered windows allow for the beautiful sea breeze to cool you by day and night. Furnished in a fusion of contemporary style with Fijian design, including an outdoor tropical shower under the stars and surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens. The hammock and private deck are surrounded by palm trees and tropical plants.
While in Nadi at the Nalagi Hotel, for the first three nights you will be in a well-appointed King bed or twin room, depending on if you are traveling solo, with another camper or a non-swimming spouse/friend.
Cost:
$3595 if you are sharing a room with another camper
$4195 if you prefer a private room or are sharing with a non-swimming friend/spouse/partner (meals not included for non-swimming guest)
Beach Front Deluxe Bure private or shared:
Located literally steps from the water – you can hear the waves at night! Perfect for one or two, this bure offers a 32 sqm freestanding, air-conditioned bure. Furnished in a fusion of contemporary style with Fijian design, including an outdoor tropical shower under the stars.
This is the view from one of the Deluxe Bure’s at the Oarsman Bay Lodge on Nacula Island.
The hammock and large private deck deliver amazing tropical sunsets and your private loungers are great for soaking in the sun, taking naps or star gazing in the evening. Perfect for a couple or two friends that prefers more space, a touch of elegance and an awesome outdoor shower.
While in Nadi at the Nalagi Hotel, you will be in a well-appointed King bed or twin room, depending on if you are traveling solo, with another camper or a non-swimming spouse/friend.
Cost:
$3795 if you are sharing a room with another camper
$4495 if you want a private room or are sharing with a non-swimming friend/spouse/partner (meals not included for non-swimming guest)
