Faster Freestyle Swim Camp
in Kelowna, BC, Canada
JULY 16th-18th, 2025 Three-day swim camp followed an option to participate in the iconic Across the Lake (1.5 or 2.1k ) Swim on Sat. July 19th
AUGUST 11th-14th, 2025 Post Apple Triathlon Four-day swim camp with the Kalamalka open water (1.5k and 4.5k) swim on Sat. Aug. 16th
Come to Kelowna so you can become a better swimmer while exploring some of the most beautiful open water in all of Canada!
With TWO camps to choose from, there is an option for everyone. At the conclusion of each camp, there is an opportunity to participate in one of the amazing Across the Lake swim events!
Faster Freestyle Swim Camps are hosted by Hall of Fame swimmer Karlyn Pipes who will be both your coach and guide. During the three or four-day event, you will swim at a variety of amazing open water venues while gaining speed, confidence and endurance. In less than a week, you will become a better swimmer. Space is limited to 10
Three and Four-day swim camps include the following:
Multiple beautiful open water swims approximately 2k to 4k in and around the Okanagan Lake region
Video analysis of your stroke
Open Water Skills & Drills workshop along with technique tips for the “other” strokes…fly, back and breast!
Staff 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
Custom BOCO visor and long sleeve dry-tech tee shirt
An autographed copy of Karlyn’s memoir The Do-Over, My Journey from the Depths of Addiction to World Champion Swimmer
A hike around Beaver Creek and a late afternoon yoga session followed by a trip to the ice cream parlor.
A hearty brunch served after every swim.
A home-cooked farewell dinner at Karlyn and Christopher’s home and
We keep the camp size small (10 or less) and provide at LEAST two Red Cross rescue-trained staff members (who are also swim technique coaches) at every swim.
The three day camp is held directly before the iconic Across the Lake (1.5 or 2.1k) Swim on Sat. July 19th swim hosted by Interior Savings. FYI registration for this event is NOT included in camp, but highly suggested!
The four day camp is held directly AFTER the Apple Triathlon National Championships and the week before the iconic Across the Lake Swim (ATLS) KALAMALKA 1.5k or 4.5k swim hosted by Interior Savings. FYI registration for this event is NOT included in camp, but highly suggested!
Three-day swim camp Wednesday-Friday July 16-18, 2025 with the iconic Across the Lake (1.5 or 2.1k ) Swim on Sat. July 19th
START DATES/TIMES: Wed, July 16th @ 3 pm
FINISH DATES/TIMES: Friday, July 18th @ 6:00-8:00 pm farewell dinner at Karlyn and Christopher’s house
Three-day Schedule: (tentative):
Wednesday, day one: 2 pm - 7:00 pm Bluebird Beach Park just south of Rotary Beach. Safety briefing, followed by a Faster Freestyle swim clinic with video analysis. after a break for snacks, we will head out for a nice and easy 1.5 “shakeout” swim. You will be provided you with a goodie bag, tee shirt, visor and an autographed copy of Karlyn’s book. Light refreshments and drinks will be served as we watch the sunset.
Thursday- Day two: 9 am - 2 pm Traders Cove (on the West Side). We will start with Open Water Skills and drills workshop followed by an awesome 3-4K swim then a well deserved hearty brunch. If the trail is open, we will embark on a slightly HILLY hike up, around and DOWN Bear Creek.
Friday, day three: 9 am - 12 pm We will meet at Bertram Park and go for a delightful 3 to 4k swim. We will conclude the camp that evening with a farewell dinner from 6-8 pm at Christopher and Karlyn’s house in Kelowna.
Saturday - An option to swim the iconic Across the Lake (1.5 or 2.1k ) Swim in Kelowna on July 19th one day after the camp ends. FYI registration for this event is NOT included in camp, but highly suggested!
Cost for the 3-day camp is $595 USD or $795 CAD and includes transportation to/from swims, three brunches, Farewell dinner, snacks and drinks, but does not include accommodation or airfare.
Deposit: to reserve your spot, a $200 USD or $300 CAD deposit by INTERACT e-TRANSFER to fasterfreestyleswimcamps@gmail.com please note that camp is plural.
Payment: Full Payment is due two months Prior to Camp start and Payment options will be sent to you via email once your deposit is received.
cancelation policy: cancel Two months prior to the camp start Date and you will receive a refund, minus the $200 deposit or you can opt to recive A credit for a future camp. Cancel less than two weeks OUt and you will have a credit to apply for a future camp (minus $100 admin fee). any time, reservations are transferable with no fee
Post Apple Triathlon Four-day swim camp
Monday-Thursday, Aug. 11th-14th, 2025 with the Kalamalka open water (1.5k and 4.5k) swim on Sat. Aug. 16th
START DATES/TIMES: Monday, Aug. 11 @ 9 am
FINISH DATES/TIMES: Thursday, Aug. 14th @ 6:00-8:00 pm farewell dinner at Karlyn and Christopher’s house
Four-day Schedule: (tentative):
Monday, day one: 9:00 am to 2:30 PM pm meet at Bluebird Beach Park just south of Rotary Beach. Safety briefing followed by a Faster Freestyle clinic.
11-12 noon brunch (provided)
12 to 2:30 Open Water Skills and drills and “other strokes” clinic followed by video analysis of your stroke.
Tuesday, day two: 9 am - 12 pm Bertram Park 3 to 4k swim. Day two, part two: 4 pm - 6:30 pm. We will meet for a gentle YOGA session (location TBD) followed by a casual walk into “K-TOWN” to the local ice cream parlor located right across from the “sails.” The servings are huge and the ice cream is amazing. Our TREAT!
Wednesday, day three: 9 am - 2 pm Traders Cove (on the West Side). We will cross over the bridge and head south to Taders Cove for awesome 3-4K swim then a well deserved hearty brunch. If the trail is open, we will embark on a slightly HILLY hike up, around and DOWN Bear Creek.
Thursday, day four: We will meet at a location TBD and carpool to Kalamalka lake for a delightful swim in its turquoise water followed by brunch. We will conclude the camp with a farewell dinner party from 6-8 pm at Christopher and Karlyn’s house in Kelowna.
Friday: DAY OFF TO REST!
Saturday, Aug. 17th OPTIONAL open water event Kalamalka 1.5k or 4.5k swim. More info here!
Cost for the 4-day camp is $795 USD or $995 CAD and includes transportation to/from swims, one dinner, four brunches, snacks and drinks, but does not include accommodation or airfare.
Deposit: to reserve your spot, a $200 USD or 300 CAD deposit by INTERACT e-TRANSFER to fasterfreestyleswimcamps@gmail.com please note that camp is plural.
Payment: Full Payment is due TWO 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 $200 deposit or you can opt to recive A credit for a future camp. Cancel less than two weeks OUt and you will have a credit to apply for a future camp (minus $100 admin fee). any time, reservations are transferable with no fee
Swim Ability: All speeds are welcome, but 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 to discuss your situation. After all, the name and goal of every camp is to help you learn an easier and faster way to swim. If a small-group camp is outside your comfort zone, perhaps a private mini-camp in Kelowna will suit you better.
Accommodation Suggestions:
NEW! Okanagan College, located in the heart of the mission district in Kelowna and very central to many of our activities, has opened new apartment-style dorms providing affordable accommodation for visitors young and old. Cost for a studio with a fridge and microwave is just $179 CAD. More info here!
University of British Columbia, Okanagan offers a variety of affordable accommodation in their student dorms that can be as small as a studio apartment with a kitchen, up to a multi-room apartment perfect for sharing with a group of friends or family. Located directly across from the airport, this is a great alternative to consider but it is a bit of drive to town and many of our activites. Please check out their website here.
Siesta Inn and Suites is a family run hotel located very close to where we live in the lower Mission area of Kelowna. It’s near shops, grocery stores, restaurants and Gyro beach. They also offer rooms with kitchenettes. Many of our campers have stayed here and really enjoyed the property and how close they were to Karlyn and Christophers home. More info at Siesta Inn and Suites
Airbb is also a great option. For planning purposes, we are located in the South Pandosy or “Lower Mission” area. Our address 87-3745 Lakeshore Rd., Kelowna, BC V1W 3K4