FASTER FREESTYLE SWIM CAMP
Huatulco · Oaxaca · Mexico
February 10–17, 2026
Swim in warm, clear water exploring hidden coves, calm bays, and secret caves while tropical fish glide around you. Back on the beach, soak in the sun and relax after every incredible swim.
In just one week, you’ll gain confidence, refine your technique, and swim faster with less effort—leaving Mexico stronger, more efficient, and ready for your next open-water adventure.
We are SUPER excited to share with you this amazing water, the warmth of the people, as well as the delicious Oaxacan cuisine.
Dates: Tuesday, February 10th to Monday, February 17th, 2026
Start Time: 2:00 PM, Tuesday, February 10th (check into the host hotel, followed by first swim and welcome dinner).
Finish Time: After farewell dinner on Monday, February 16th. Check out of hotel 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 17th
Location: Huatulco · Oaxaca · Mexico
Length: Seven days / seven nights
Spots Available: Limited to 10 swimmers, only 3 spaces remaining!
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 is Hall of Fame swimmer Karlyn Pipes. While Karlyn serves as both host and swim technique coach, she delights in sharing practical “secrets” that help swimmers move faster while using less effort.
FREE COMMUNITY SWIM CLINIC for kids and adults
We want to give back to Huatulco and leave it a safer place. Can YOU help us by sharing your swimming experience and knowledge with kids and adults who want to learn basic swimming skills & water safety? We hope so! This free community event is held in the calm water of Santa Cruz Bay on Sunday, Feb. 15th from 9:00-11:00 am.
DONATIONS NEEDED. Do YOU have a collection of new or used caps and goggles that you can donate? Check your drawers, look in lost and found, and even ask your friends for donations. Ou goal is to be able to give something to every participant.
Swim ability:
You don’t need to be a fast swimmer to join us—what’s most important is that you feel comfortable in open water and can swim continuously for 500 yards or meters at a steady pace. If you’re wondering whether you’re “fast enough” to participate, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to discuss your individual situation and any concerns—after all, the focus of every camp is helping you discover an easier, more efficient, and faster way to swim.
Camp Highlights & What’s Included:
Accommodation & Meals: Seven nights of accommodation, seven breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, plus snacks and drinks after every swim. Transportation to and from all swims is included.
Guided Open-Water Swims: Five to six beautiful swims, approximately 2k to 4k each, exploring local beaches, bays, and islands.
Video Analysis & Private Coaching: Video analysis of your stroke throughout the week, plus a one-on-one private lesson with Karlyn’s expert feedback (time and location TBD).
Swim Clinics: Open Water Skills & Drills workshops and technique tips for other strokes—fly, back, and breast.
Daily Filming: Staff will film your swims to show your improvement and document our aquatic adventures; videos will be texted to you.
SWAG: Custom long-sleeve dry-tech tee shirt, BOCO visor, silicone swim cap, and a beach tote bag to carry all your gear.
Special Event Swim: Registration in the Bahías de Huatulco Aquas Libre (open-water swim) on February 15th, with distances of 1.25k, 2.5k, or 5k in beautiful Santa Cruz Bay. Event swim cap and tee shirt included.
Adventure Swims:
Secluded swim at Las Arenas beach, where you may spot sea turtle tracks before swimming around a small offshore island.
Final swim begins with a gentle 1-mile hike through a nature preserve, emerging onto an untouched beach with sparkling blue-green water and an enchanting island in the bay. Swim approximately 2.5k around the island, then enjoy free time to explore this heavenly spot.
Safety & Support: All swims are supported by trained safety staff in the water or on SUPs.
Social Events: Meet-and-greet and farewell catered dinners to celebrate your week.
Costs and how to reserve:
$2295 USD Per person shared room with another camper (you provide roomate).
$2695 for a prvate room or sharing a non-SWIMMING spouse or friend. (FYI Breakfast for “non swimmer” is not included). Airfare and Airport transfers Are not included.
DEPOSIT: TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, FOR US RESIDENTS PLEASE 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. For Canadians, please contact Karlyn for e-transfer options.
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. CANCEL LESS THAN one month OUT AND YOU WILL HAVE A 50% CREDIT TO APPLY FOR A FUTURE CAMP. At any time, reservations are transferable to another person with no fee.
HOTEL: We will be staying at centrally located Casa Danna, just a few steps from a beautiful 400-meter long beach called Chaue. The hotel also near a number of restaurants, shops, a large grocery store (right across the street) and local fruit markets. Why I love this location is the proximity to calm, beautiful water! When I was there in January 2023, ChaUE is where I started my day. Sunrise (at 6:50 am) followed by muliple 400m (800m RT) Chaue “laps.” so if you are interested in doing any “bonus swims” this is where you will do it! Casa Danna is also only a 15 minute walk to Playa Santa Cruz and equal or to the charming “QUINTESSENTIAL” mexican town of La Crucecita.
AddItional nights before or after the camp are AVAILABLE to book directly through cAsa Danna. Please click here
Where the heck is HUATULCO??
Tucked near the southern tip of Mexico, close to Guatemala, Huatulco lies where the Sierra Madre del Sur meets the Pacific Ocean, just minutes from the HUX international airport. This former fishing village is clean, friendly, and very safe, with fixed taxi fares and incredible Oaxacan cuisine. Thanks to a large expat community, emergency medical care is exceptionally good, with three major hospitals in the area.
Huatulco is known for its nine bays and 36 beaches, many of them quiet and uncrowded—perfect for relaxing and recharging. Winter water temperatures average a perfect 80°F, with clear water and abundant marine life, making it ideal for open-water swimming.
You will fall in love with Huatulco. Scroll down to watch the video and see why.
Traveling to Huatulco:
Due to the ever changing world conditions, please WAIT until THREE MONTHS prior to your camp to book your flights.
Flying from USA:
American Airlines has a seasonal, daily NON-STOP 3.5 hour flight from Dallas Forth Worth (DFW) to Huatulco (HUX) making it an easy connection from just about anywhere in the county.
Aeromexico and Volaris offer flights to Huatulco from many cities in North America. However, most of these flights will take you through Mexico City. From there, its a short 90-min flight to HUX.
Flying from Canada:
Westjet flies non-stop to HUX out of:
Calgary: Mon/Tues/Wed/Friday/Sat
Vancouver: Mon/Thurs/Sat/Sun
Toronto: Tuesday/Saturday
Edmonton: Thursday/Saturday