FASTER FREESTYLE SWIM CAMPS – KELOWNA, BC, CANADA
Summer 2026
The Faster Freestyle Swim Camps in Kelowna, British Columbia offer two unique opportunities to develop a more efficient freestyle while enjoying some of the most beautiful lake swimming in all of Canada. With better technique, open-water swimming becomes easier, smoother, and a lot more fun—because swimming faster with less effort changes everything.
Dates:
Camp #1: July 13–16, 2026 (four-day camp) with the option to participate in the iconic Across the Lake Swim (1.5k or 2.1k) on Saturday, July 18, 2026
Camp #2: August 10–13, 2026 (four-day camp) with the Kalamalka Open Water Swim (1.5k or 4.5k) on Saturday, August 15, 2026
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Length: Four days
Start Time: Monday at 9:00 am
Finish: Thursday evening with a farewell dinner (6:00–8:00 pm) at Karlyn and Christopher’s home
Spots Available: Limited to 10 swimmers per camp
Swim in the stunning open waters of the Okanagan Lake region, where crystal-clear lakes, dramatic shorelines, and mountain backdrops create an unforgettable setting. Each day brings a new aquatic adventure as you explore some of the most scenic and swimmer-friendly open water venues in all of Canada.
In less than a week, you’ll gain speed, confidence, and endurance in the open water. With multiple swims, focused technique work, and expert guidance, you’ll quickly feel more efficient, more relaxed, and more in control—emerging from camp a stronger, more capable swimmer.
All Faster Freestyle Swim Camps blend beautiful, guided open-water swims with detailed technique instruction. You’ll receive personalized feedback, open-water skills and drills, and comprehensive video analysis to help you understand how to swim faster with less effort.
Your coach and guide is Hall of Fame swimmer Karlyn Pipes. Known for her ability to translate elite-level performance into practical, accessible coaching, Karlyn has a rare gift for helping swimmers unlock speed they didn’t know they had. Her teaching style is encouraging, precise, and deeply effective—focused on efficiency, confidence, and long-term improvement in the open water.
These four-day swim camps include:
Multiple guided open-water swims (approximately 2k–4k) throughout the Okanagan Lake region
Video analysis of your stroke with daily filming to track progress
Open-water skills and drills workshop, plus technique tips for the “other” strokes
Daily swim videos texted to you, documenting both improvement and aquatic adventures
Silicone swim cap
Custom BOCO visor and long-sleeve dry-tech tee
An autographed copy of The Do-Over: My Journey from the Depths of Addiction to World Champion Swimmer by Karlyn Pipes
A hearty brunch served after every swim
A home-cooked farewell dinner at Karlyn and Christopher’s home
Safety is a top priority. Camp size is kept to 10 or fewer swimmers, with at least two Red Cross rescue-trained staff members—who are also swim technique coaches—present at every swim.
Swim ability:
If you are comfortable swimming in open water and can swim 500 yards/meters nonstop at a steady pace, you’ll fit right in. We always start and finish at the same spot, so you choose the distance and speed that feel right for you. You will also have a great time swimming in beautiful open water with like-minded people—but the real WIN is heading home with a faster freestyle, better endurance and more confidence. If you’re unsure, feel free to email Karlyn at fasterfreestyle@gmail.com to chat about your situation.
Space is limited to just 10 swimmers per camp
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. FYI This is our longest day of the camp,
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 for a 2 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 Traders Cove for awesome 2-4K swim then a well deserved hearty brunch. Afternoon off to relax and enjoy your
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: OPTIONAL Across the Lake 1.5 or 2.1k swim on July 18th or the Kalamalka 1.5k, 4.5k or 10 k swim on August 15th. More info on these events here! Registration for the Across the Lake Swim events is not included in camp tuition but is highly recommended.
Cost for the 4-day camp is $795 USD or $995 CAD and includes transportation to/from swims (or y can drive yOur own vehicle), one dinner, four brunches, snacks and drinks, but does not include Across the lake swim events, accommodation or airfare.
Deposit: to reserve your spot, a $200 USD or $300 CAD deposit by INTERACT e-TRANSFER IS ALL THAT IS REQUIRED. PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO KARLYN FOR MORE DETAILS.
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 deposit or you can opt to recive A FULL credit for a future camp. Cancel less than two weeks OUt and you will have a $500 CAN or $400 USD credit to apply for a future camp. any time, reservations are transferable with no fee
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