2025 dates are now AVAILABLE!

“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?

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.

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.

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.

There are TWO Faster Freestyle Swim Camps in May 2025.

Dates for the eight day/seven night Faster Freestyle Swim Camps on beautiful Nacula Island and in Nadi, Fiji are:

Thursday, May 1st to Thursday the 8th (FULL)

Monday, May 12th to Monday the 19th (8 spots left)

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.

  • Faster Freestyle Swim clinic with video analysis

  • A one-on-one private lesson with video analysis and feedback. Time and location TBD

  • Open water skills and drills along with instruction to help you improve the “other” strokes…fly, back and breast. If you do not know these strokes, we will teach you!

  • 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

  • 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 cuisine.

  • One day we 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

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.

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. Our accommodation will be Club Fiji Resort in Nadi and we loved the location on the water, the food was great and the staff was exceptional. The bungalow-type accommodation (see picture below) is cozy and comfortable and our location can’t be beat. We are 15 min. from the airport, a 10-min to Nadi town and 15 min. to Port Denarau.

After three nights at Club Fiji Resort, 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 it has the bluest waters, the best hiking and a 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 a variety of accommodation options…from budget-friendly dorms to private beachfront bures. We hope we have what you are looking for!

Dorm option:

The Oarsman Bay Lodge dorm was voted “Best of the Yasawas” and Christopher and I would agree as to why!  We stayed in the dorm (along with four other campers in 2024) and enjoyed restful nights in the fully air-conditioned dorm with the best WIFI on the property. Yes, we truly enjoyed the experience!

While in Nadi at Club Fiji Resort, you will be staying in a centrally located dorm at that is brand new. Situated in its own small bungalow, it has only eight beds, private bathrooms and showers, a lunge area, a microwave and a refrigerator for you to use. 

This budget-friendly option is perfect for a solo traveler or friends traveling together. Dorm: Budget price point $2695 USD 

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 at Club Fiji Resort in Nadi, you will be in a cute Oceanview Bungalow with two beds (a queen and a single). This Bure features air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathroom/shower and a private porch with chairs.
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 fully 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 at Club Fiji Resort in Nadi, you will be in a cute Oceanview Bungalow with two beds a queen and a single. This Bure features air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathroom/shower and a private porch with chairs.

$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 Bure private or shared:

Located literally steps from the water – you can hear the waves at night! Perfect for one or two, it 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 private deck deliver amazing tropical sunsets and your private sun 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 at Club Fiji Resort in Nadi, you will be in a cute Oceanview Bungalow with two beds a queen and a single. This Bure features air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathroom/shower and a private porch with chairs.

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)

How to get there:

Due to the ever changing world conditions, please WAIT until THREE MONTHS prior to your camp to book your flights. FIJI AIRWAYS is always having a SALE, so please consider checking their website often to compare. However, to give you an idea of cost a basic flights “on sale” typically runs around $800+ RT including a carry on and one checked bag at 30 kg (66 lbs).

FIJI AIRWAYS has daily non-stop flights to Nadi (NAD) Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Vancouver (YVR) and starting in 2025 a nonstop from DALLAS (DFW)! West coast flights leave around 10 pm, so making a connection from anywhere east is doable. From Honolulu, flights are Sat./Tues./Thurs.

In 2025, Fiji Airways will become a member of the ONEWORLD Alliance, so you will be able to use your status benefits (free seat selection and luggage) and can earn or redeem miles.

Planning your flight: Keep in mind when flying west, you will LOSE one DAY, but when you include the flight time, it will be TWO days. For example, if you depart late night Tuesday, you will arrive in Fiji on Thursday at 6 AM. On the return, you get the day you lost back! We left at 10 PM from Nadi on a Sunday and we arrived in SFO at noon on the same day. This is super important to know for planning purposes!!

FIJI AIRWAYS is also in the ONEWORLD network, so you might consider using miles to book award flights.

Also, feel free to add a day or two before at the end of your trip to go explore this friendly and beautiful country. I highly recommend it and would be happy to provide you with some ideas and guidelines as to where to go and what to do.

Now, isn’t it time to reach out and book your spot?