Margarita Swim Training Camp

Margareta Island, Venezuela - Jan 6-13, 2009

Tuesday Jan 6th, twenty-four athletes from across Canada, some with spouses, departed Toronto for the Masters Swimming Ontario Swim Training Camp in Venezuela 2009. We arrived to gorgeous sunny warm weather which stayed with us for the entire seven days. Within an hour of landing, we had checked into the Laguna Mar Resort and our sumptuous rooms in the four story North Tower. Most athletes dashed to find a quick meal at one of the six restaurants on site and met by 4:30 PM at the 50 meter pool for the first of 14 swim training sessions coached by Doug Vanderby of swimordie.

Our daily training schedule consisted of a 6 AM wake up, 7 AM light breakfast, 8-10 AM training session (2000-4000+meters), breakfast, relaxation by the beach or tour for the day, lunch, 3:30-5:30 PM training session (2000 - 3000 m stroke improvement, technique and sprint), 6:30-7:15 PM Lobby Bar social, dinner, Laguna Mar nightly entertainment and disco for those who hadn't drifted off in anticipation of the next days training.

In all, the week was a smashing success thanks to the positive contributions of those participating, our Head Coach Doug and organizer Claus Koch.