2025 Faster Freestyle Swim Camp in Kelowna, BC, Canada

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!

Three-day mini-camp Wednesday-Friday July 16-18, 2025 with the iconic Across the Lake (1.5 or 2.1k ) Swim on Sat. July 19th

Six-day camp Saturday-Thursday, Aug. 9-14, 2025 with the Kalamalka open water (1.5k and 4.5k) swim on Sat. Aug. 16th

Faster Freestyle Swim Camps are hosted by Hall of Fame swimmer Karlyn Pipes who will be both your coach and guide. During the six-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

Six-day camp includes the following:

• 5 beautiful open water swims approximately 2k to 4k in and around the Okanagan Lake region

• Video analysis of your stroke during the Faster Freestyle Workshop on day one and throughout the camp.

• One-on-one private lesson with Karlyn’s expert video analysis and feedback. Time and location TBD

• 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.

• Cost includes two home-cooked dinners at Karlyn and Christopher’s home and hearty brunches available at every swim.

• 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 camp is held directly before 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!

Cost for the 6-day camp is $1295 USD or $1695 CAD and includes transportation to/from swims, TWO dinners, four brunches, snacks and drinks, but does not include accommodation or airfare. all returning clients receive an automatic $100 discount.

Deposit: to reserve your spot, a $500 USD deposit by INTERACT e-TRANSFER to fasterfreestyleswimcamps@gmail.com please note that camp is plural.

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 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

Mark your calendar to come to the Faster Freestyle Swim Camp AND to participate in one (or two) of these world-renowned open water races.

You can find the 2025 ATLS schedule here.

NEW! Three-day Faster Freestyle Swim Camp in Kelowna

Wednesday-Friday July 16-18, 2025 with the iconic Across the Lake (1.5 or 2.1k ) Swim on Sat. July 19th

IF do you have ever wanted to attend a swim camp with Karlyn, but a week-long commitment was too much…then this MINI-CAMP is your perfect opportunity!

The MINI-CAMP includes:

• Three beautiful open water swims in Okangan approximately 2k to 4k in length at Bluebird Beach, Traders Cove (on the west side) and Bertram Provincial Park at the end of Lakeshore Road.

• Video analysis of your stroke during the Faster Freestyle Workshop on day one and a second video at the conclusion of camp.

• Open Water Skills & Drills workshop along with technique tips for the “other” strokes…fly, back and breast!

• A welcome party with appetizers and drinks provided, two hearty brunches, and snacks and drinks every swim.

• Silicone swim cap

• Custom BOCO visor

• Long sleeve dry-tech tee shirt

• Tons of FUN and you will go home FASTER

  
  

  Three-day Schedule (tentative):

Wednesday - Day one: 3 pm - 8 pm We will meet at Bluebird Beach Park just south of Rotary Beach. We will begin with a safety meeting followed by a discussion on past and present swim techniques. We will then enter the water for the Faster Freestyle workshop with video analysis followed by an easy 2K sunset swim. Drinks and appetizers Provided for a lovely evening social.

Thursday- Day two: 9 am - 1 OR 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 Bertram Park 3 to 4k swim, your second video analysis and a farewell brunch.

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 6-day camp is $595 USD or $795 CAD and includes transportation to/from swims, three 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 months prior to the camp start Date and you will receive a refund, minus the $500 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

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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.

Six-Day Swim Camp in 2025!

This six-day camp will be held from Saturday, Aug. 9th and concludes Thursday evening, August 14th.

Friday is a “day off” to rest up for the Kalamalka open water (1.5k and 4.5k) swim held on Sat. Aug. 16th

START DATES/TIMES: The camp will begin on Saturday at 4 pm at Bluebird Beach Park with a mandatory group safety meeting, a mini Faster Freestyle swim clinic followed by gorgeous, evening “shakeout” 1.5k swim. Then we will head over to the nearby SHASTA Mobile Parkin on Lakeshore drive for a casual and fun WELCOME dinner at Christopher and Karlyn’s home (BYOB) from 6:30-8.

FINISH DATES/TIMES The camp will conclude on Thursday evening with a farewell dinner from 6:00-8:00 pm.

It’s going to be an amazing week. Please join me!

Faster Freestyle Swim Camp 6-day tentative schedule:

Day one: 4 pm - 6 pm Bluebird Beach Park. Safety briefing, overview of the Faster Freestyle technique followed by a nice and easy 1.5 “shakeout” swim. Dinner at Karlyn and Christopher’s house immediately afterwards where we will provide you with a goodie bag, tee shirt, visor and an autographed copy of Karlyn’s book.

Day two: 9 am - 1 pm Faster Freestyle workshop with video analysis followed by an Open Water Skills and drills and the “other strokes” workshop at Bluebird Beach Park just south of Rotary Beach.

Day three: 8 am - 12 pm Bertram Park 3 to 4k swim followed by brunch.

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!

Day four: Private lesson with video analysis. Location and time TBD

Day five: 8 am - 1 pm Traders Cove (on the West Side) 3 to 4k swim and snacks followed by a 3k HILLY hike up, around and down Bear Creek. If you are participating in the Kalamalka Lake 4.5k swim on Saturday, this is a GREAT opportunity to build your confidence and“go the distance.”

Day six: 8 am - 2 pm. Drive to Penticton and SWIM and FLOAT, the 7k (4 mile) Penticton Channel to Skaha Lake. This ONE-WAY swim has a 1-2 mile current that will push you along making a swim this long fast and FUN! Another option might be to carpool up to Kalamalka lake and “test drive” the 4.5k swim that will be offered on Saturday. Regardless of where we end up, we will have a beach party afterwards and lunch/brunch to follow.

Day six 6:00-8:00 pm join us for our farewell dinner party at Christopher and Karlyn’s house in Kelowna.

Day seven: There is NO DAY SEVEN. It’s an open day for you to rest, explore and enjoy the beautiful Okanagan AND get ready for the Kalamalka swim the following day.

Saturday, Aug. 17th OPTIONAL open water event Kalamalka 1.5k or 4.5k swim. More info here!

Accommodation Suggestions:

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. Please check out their website here.

NEW! Okanogan College, located in the heart of the mission district in Kelowna, has opened new apartment-style dorms in the fall of 2024. I am hopeful that by the summer of 2025 these dorms will be a viable option for affordable accommodation for visitors young and old. More info will be provided as it becomes available.

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